Chronarch mgl vs bantam mgl

[Pipewrench]

Thinking about getting an mgl reel , looking at the Chronarch mgl or the bantam mgl( bantam probably jdl for the price) anyone fished/ have both have any input? Like the met To but out of my budget. 

[onenutinthewater]

I have both and love them both although the Chronarch went back for new main and pinion after less than 2 years. Both are currently boxed up and going back to shimano for repairs- chronarch AR bearing works sporadically in cold temps and the bantam clutch does not depress easily. Was looking into the Scorpion MGL next but come to think of it I have never had to send in a Daiwa and may just stick with them from now on.............

[fishballer06]

I own 4 of one and 3 of the other and I love both of them. What are you primarily looking to use the reel for?

[bwjay]

Hey, welcome to BassResource!

 

I own two Bantams as a result of owning the HG, then trying a Chronarch MGL XG, and returned it for a Bantam XG. The Bantam is SUCH a solid reel with a beautifully smooth and rigid retrieve. It takes a little more work to cast as far as the Chronarch MGL, which looks great and casts great, but unfortunately the Chronarch felt hollow to me, like I was gonna break it by squeezing it while fighting a fish. I know that that won't actually happen, but I didn't like that. On top of the breakable feeling, there was a geariness to the retrieve. I could actually feel gears turning. I knew it could be an issue going into it, and it turned out that that specific reel just had too much geariness for me. It's the reason I haven't gone for a Metanium yet. The brass gears in the Bantam give it more smoothness for sure. So... I bit the bullet and just got another Bantam, and surprise surprise, I love it just the same. It gets out of the way and just lets you fish with confidence. I wanted to love the Chronarch, and maybe I could if it had brass gears, but I didn't want to mod one. I'm hoping Shimano puts out an updated Metanium MGL with brass gears in JDM or USDM, or both, in 2020. My wallet is hoping they don't.  Ooh, dark gunmetal too while we're daydreaming.

 

I hope this helps. Though the Bantam is more expensive, and heavier, it balances out my tip-heavy rods, and is a dream to fish, and I don't regret owning two of them. I'm hesitant to buy a third, as I just don't need that many expensive reels, but boy do I sure want another!

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, bwjay said:

Hey, welcome to BassResource!

 

I own two Bantams as a result of owning the HG, then trying a Chronarch MGL XG, and returned it for a Bantam XG. The Bantam is SUCH a solid reel with a beautifully smooth and rigid retrieve. It takes a little more work to cast as far as the Chronarch MGL, which looks great and casts great, but unfortunately the Chronarch felt hollow to me, like I was gonna break it by squeezing it while fighting a fish. I know that that won't actually happen, but I didn't like that. On top of the breakable feeling, there was a geariness to the retrieve. I could actually feel gears turning. I knew it could be an issue going into it, and it turned out that that specific reel just had too much geariness for me. It's the reason I haven't gone for a Metanium yet. The brass gears in the Bantam give it more smoothness for sure. So... I bit the bullet and just got another Bantam, and surprise surprise, I love it just the same. It gets out of the way and just lets you fish with confidence. I wanted to love the Chronarch, and maybe I could if it had brass gears, but I didn't want to mod one. I'm hoping Shimano puts out an updated Metanium MGL with brass gears in JDM or USDM, or both, in 2020. My wallet is hoping they don't.  Ooh, dark gunmetal too while we're daydreaming.

 

I hope this helps. Though the Bantam is more expensive, and heavier, it balances out my tip-heavy rods, and is a dream to fish, and I don't regret owning two of them. I'm hesitant to buy a third, as I just don't need that many expensive reels, but boy do I sure want another!

Ummmm, all good information aside from the fact that the Chronarch MGL does indeed have brass gears. I haven't received mine yet so I can't form an opinion on "geariness" but the fact that you say you could love it if it had brass gears makes me wonder about your experience with it. I'm not saying it didn't feel hollow or you didn't feel like you were going to break it, but don't knock it for not having brass gears when it does. 

[bwjay]

3 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Ummmm, all good information aside from the fact that the Chronarch MGL does indeed have brass gears. I haven't received mine yet so I can't form an opinion on "geariness" but the fact that you say you could love it if it had brass gears makes me wonder about your experience with it. I'm not saying it didn't feel hollow or you didn't feel like you were going to break it, but don't knock it for not having brass gears when it does. 

So sorry!! I thought it was both the Chronarch MGL and Metanium MGL that had aluminum gears, guess it's just the Metanium. I wonder why the Chronarch has the same geary feeling, then...

[Yumeya]

I would choose the Bantam.

 

Nuff said

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

11 hours ago, bwjay said:

Hey, welcome to BassResource!

 

I own two Bantams as a result of owning the HG, then trying a Chronarch MGL XG, and returned it for a Bantam XG. The Bantam is SUCH a solid reel with a beautifully smooth and rigid retrieve. It takes a little more work to cast as far as the Chronarch MGL, which looks great and casts great, but unfortunately the Chronarch felt hollow to me, like I was gonna break it by squeezing it while fighting a fish. I know that that won't actually happen, but I didn't like that. On top of the breakable feeling, there was a geariness to the retrieve. I could actually feel gears turning. I knew it could be an issue going into it, and it turned out that that specific reel just had too much geariness for me. It's the reason I haven't gone for a Metanium yet. The brass gears in the Bantam give it more smoothness for sure. So... I bit the bullet and just got another Bantam, and surprise surprise, I love it just the same. It gets out of the way and just lets you fish with confidence. I wanted to love the Chronarch, and maybe I could if it had brass gears, but I didn't want to mod one. I'm hoping Shimano puts out an updated Metanium MGL with brass gears in JDM or USDM, or both, in 2020. My wallet is hoping they don't.  Ooh, dark gunmetal too while we're daydreaming.

 

I hope this helps. Though the Bantam is more expensive, and heavier, it balances out my tip-heavy rods, and is a dream to fish, and I don't regret owning two of them. I'm hesitant to buy a third, as I just don't need that many expensive reels, but boy do I sure want another!

The difference in feel is due to weight. The light weight reels tend to transmit any vibration in the reel. There’s nothing wrong with it, just a trait you may not care for. The Bantam is smooth partly because it’s a heavy, rigid reel comparatively. Similar to the D series Curado etc. Gear material is just another  contributing factor with the alloy gears being lighter but perfectly durable. 

[newyorktoiowa57]

I feel like the chronarch does feel hollow. It is extremely smooth, but it lacks the solidity of the curado platform, for the reasons DVT states above.

[Pipewrench]

On 11/6/2019 at 9:15 AM, fishballer06 said:

I own 4 of one and 3 of the other and I love both of them. What are you primarily looking to use the reel for?

Jigs and Senkos 

[FishTank]

I don't think you can go wrong either way.  If going for a light weight set up then I would go with the Chronarch.  If a more solid feel is what you are after then the Bantam.  I have only held the Chronarch but I do own the Bantam.  Having owned a few of the older Chronarch, I decided I wanted the Bantam.  I like the sort of round reel feel it has. 

[onenutinthewater]

2 different reels- The Chronarch just fits in my hand so well and is a dream to cast BUT you can feel the hollowness in your hand which you do not in the Bantam. Bantam just feels solid and takes more effort casting for me. Bantam has handled 18 # salmon no problem while the chronarch MGL went geary after 20+- steelhead and went in for new gears.

 

[jbsoonerfan]

I was finally able to put both reels to the test this past weekend and here are my thoughts (and only my thoughts) and opinions. I use these reels for two entirely different techniques so this isn't so much as a head to head comparison. I was using my Bantam in a 6:1 ratio to throw jerkbaits and squarebills. The wind on Saturday was pretty brutal and I was trying to find some fish off the main lake points. Only was able to find one fish in this area but this reel performed FLAWLESSLY. Not once did I get a backlash or even think I was going to get one. This was casting into, across and with the wind. The reel palms incredibly well and despite the small amount more that it weighs, I wasn't able to tell a difference when fishing it. I was using the Chronarch in a 7:1 ratio to throw 1/8 oz T-Rigged 3" Senko for the first part of Saurday and it handled it better than I had anticipated. On Sunday I switched to a 3/16 oz T-Rigged sweet beaver and this is where this reel shined. It pitched and handled great. This reel is a bit longer but seems to palm as well as the Bantam. I don't get the hollow feeling that people claim but maybe it's because I wasn't using it for moving baits. Overall, these are both great reels and I don't think you can go wrong with either. If I were buying again, I would buy the one that I could get the best deal on. I paid $260 for my Bantam and $190 for my Chronarch and I don't think the Bantam is $70 better if money is an issue. If money is no problem, get them BOTH.

[Pipewrench]

I’ve red several people saying their Chronarch mgl reels feeling geary on this post and others , anyone ever experience that with the bantam mgl? As far as durability aren’t they the same gears used in both? Possibly the lighter frame and smaller knobs allowing for the Geary feeling to be felt more if that makes since? Or has anyone found out if switching the knobs on the Chronarch mgl to the larger ones like on the Curado k resolves this issue? 

[mrpao]

The lighter frame of CI4 material makes them feel more geary because it transmits more vibrations. It also makes the CI4 material a good choice for bottom contact techniques due to it been more sensitive.

The same goes for magnesium framed reels. Lighter but you'll feel more through the reel.

[Dwight Hottle]

On 11/6/2019 at 10:21 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

The difference in feel is due to weight. The light weight reels tend to transmit any vibration in the reel. There’s nothing wrong with it, just a trait you may not care for. The Bantam is smooth partly because it’s a heavy, rigid reel comparatively. Similar to the D series Curado etc. Gear material is just another  contributing factor with the alloy gears being lighter but perfectly durable. 

As Mike has mentioned the Bantam is a very rigid reel due to its 3 piece design of the outer shell. All the other Shimano reels are 5 piece design. The elimination of those extra two pieces makes for a more rigid & closer tolerances of the basic platform. Hence the extra smoothness & feeling of overall quality when reeling.   

[Pipewrench]

Anyone have experience using Japan lure shop? Decent price on the bantam think I’m leaning that way ,if anything is wrong with the real are you out of luck having gotten from over seas or does Shimano still take care of warranty/service  issues ? Never had Any problems with my other Shimano or Daiwa reels I have with abu but won’t be buying anything from them again even though they did take care of the problem (side plate flew off during a cast and of course into deep water).

[fishballer06]

18 minutes ago, Pipewrench said:

Anyone have experience using Japan lure shop? Decent price on the bantam think I’m leaning that way ,if anything is wrong with the real are you out of luck having gotten from over seas or does Shimano still take care of warranty/service  issues ? Never had Any problems with my other Shimano or Daiwa reels I have with abu but won’t be buying anything from them again even though they did take care of the problem.

I've ordered from them a few dozen times... 

 

JDM reels carry no warranty in the US. So if you need a part, you'll have to buy the part. It's kind of the offset for saving money with the currency exchange rate. 

[bunz559]

Japan Lures can be trusted. I have ordered several from them. Also, I've gotten a Megabass 110 with each order thrown in. ?

 

As for the Chronarch and Bantum, I hands down love the Bantum more. The Chronarch is a nice reel, but feel, casting, durability, and longevity, the Bantum is really nice. While my Chronarch still fishes fine, it's not nearly as nice and smooth as it was 3 years ago. My Bantums aren't as old, but I fish them much harder than the Chronarch and they remain as smooth as new. 

[FrankN209]

Another vote for JapanLure. I've order about 5 reels from them now. Always comes with a nice lure also. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Digitaka is a good place to purchase plus it has free shipping usually less than Japan Lure Shop where you are charged a fair amount for shipping around $18.

[Pipewrench]

just checked digitaka and the metatanium mgl is only 26$ more than the bantam any thoughts? I like the bantam But I’ve heard the met is a nice real , would be for jigs and weightless plastics.

[FrankN209]

5 minutes ago, Pipewrench said:

just checked digitaka and the metatanium mgl is only 26$ more than the bantam any thoughts? I like the bantam But I’ve heard the met is a nice real , would be for jigs and weightless plastics.

I've heard the met has aluminum gears. the bantam has brass. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I just got my Met today. I got it in an XG and I will put it through the paces on Sunday. I plan on throwing a T-Rig with it and maybe a jig. I will try to compare it with similar baits with my Bantam and Chronarch as well. It already "feels" like the Chronarch and it will fell the same on the water. I am guessing I will end up using my Bantam for moving baits like a spinnerbait and chatterbait and end up using the Met and Chronarch for bottom contact just based off the way they feel. 

[fishballer06]

11 hours ago, FrankN209 said:

I've heard the met has aluminum gears. the bantam has brass. 

The Metanium MGL does have aluminum gears. The Bantam MGL is brass. 

 

You can upgrade the Metanium to the Curado K brass gears for around $30.