Quantum Tour S3

[RichF]

1 hour ago, bogfrog said:

I said the same thing when the 300 EXO came out. Quantum hyped it up as the end all of 300 size reels. I remembered my disappointment when I bought the super tuned cabo reel which was also supposed to be the end all large baitcaster. Well, I fell for Zebco's hype a second time when wasted my money on the Exo. While I may have a learning disability, its not a chronic condition, and I wouldnt buy another Quantum reel if it could fly!

I've owned a bunch of Quantums in the past and almost all of them had some minor issues. Nothing too crazy but enough to be annoying.  The gen 1 Smoke was actually pretty nice, just didn't fit my hand great.  I cleared them all out and went the Shimano/Daiwa route. Well, I'm a sucker for a deal so when this came up, I was intrigued. Though I haven't gotten it on the water yet, the Tour S3 feels great.  It feels really well built, it's smooth, light, and palms really nicely.  The handle is big and awesome. The knobs are big, which I like. One of the biggest things that interested me was the deep spool.  It seems like every reel out now (especially Shimano) has a shallowish spool.  I use a lot of 15-20lb fluoro and always feel like I'm only getting 50 yds of line on my reels.  This Tour hold a ton of line and the reel is still very small.  If I wasn't in the market for a kayak, I would've bought a few more.

[PhishLI]

8 hours ago, bogfrog said:

While I may have a learning disability, its not a chronic condition, and I wouldnt buy another Quantum reel if it could fly!

Talk about a fart in an elevator. Yeesh. Should I just bypass the misery and take a sledgehammer to my new Quantum?

[bogfrog]

Even on sale at $120 shipped I dont undestand the allure of the quantum when the same money will get you a Tatula with a T-wing and magforce cast control. There is a reason why companies like Megabass, Ito, SLP, etc, choose to build their state of the art customs on Magforce reels. This system is light years ahead of any other with the possible exception of the DC system. $120 bucks wont get you a DC reel and never will. If you had inside knowledge of the fishing reel industry your opinion of Quantum would change. The markup is outrageous!

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, bogfrog said:

Even on sale at $120 shipped I dont undestand the allure of the quantum when the same money will get you a Tatula with a T-wing and magforce cast control. There is a reason why companies like Megabass, Ito, SLP, etc, choose to build their state of the art customs on Magforce reels. This system is light years ahead of any other with the possible exception of the DC system. $120 bucks wont get you a DC reel and never will. If you had inside knowledge of the fishing reel industry your opinion of Quantum would change. The markup is outrageous!

You obviously didn't take the time to read anything in my previous post in this thread, or the other poster who has multiple samples and has had no issues. I'm ripe with Daiwa and Shimano. I'm well aware of the situation with offshore OEMs. None of that means brands like Doyo, Banax, and their ilk are incapable of producing something of quality. They can and do in some cases. You had a negative experience 8 years ago with a certain model. Got it. To you this means that this brand is incapable of doing anything right ever again. Got that too. Lots of people had negative experiences with G series Shimanos. Doesn't mean a thing today though. I'm impressed with this particular model in the short term, and for the time being. If it disintegrates or spontaneously combusts I'll be right back here to squawk about it. I promise.

[RichF]

18 minutes ago, bogfrog said:

Even on sale at $120 shipped I dont undestand the allure of the quantum when the same money will get you a Tatula with a T-wing and magforce cast control. There is a reason why companies like Megabass, Ito, SLP, etc, choose to build their state of the art customs on Magforce reels. This system is light years ahead of any other with the possible exception of the DC system. $120 bucks wont get you a DC reel and never will. If you had inside knowledge of the fishing reel industry your opinion of Quantum would change. The markup is outrageous!

I agree Daiwa makes superior reels when you hit the $199 price and up.  I own several Zillions, Tat SVs, Coastal SV, SS SV, and a bunch of Shimanos in the Curado to Chronarch range.  I had the original Tat CT (that $120 price tag) and while it cast easily, it felt pretty much like a $120 reel so I got rid of it.  Yes, the Magforce system is really nice and easy.  The braking systems on every other Quantum I've had have been good too.  In fact most braking systems I've had experience with have been fine too.  I don't need a reel to cast for me as my thumb is pretty advanced on its own.  There are several other factors that I look for when I'm deciding on what reels to buy.  This reel happen to check off a lot of boxes (and was priced right): large spool in a 100 size frame, 95mm carbon fiber handle, oversize knobs, sideplate that doesn't detach, and pretty pleasing aesthetics.  The Tatula that matches the line capacity of this reel is the 150, which I may have went with if it wasn't a large square platform and didn't have that stupid spider graphic on it.  As far as markup goes...I imagine it's outrageous on just about anything in the fishing industry so...

[bogfrog]

You can get a bad reel in every brand and model. Im NOT basing my opinion one one bad experience...its EVERY quantum reel Ive ever owned, and more than a few.The worst reel I own right now is flagship model the all holographic energy in the big size. This reel was bought new years ago and is in pristine condition with less than 5 hours on it....because it never gets used. I'll gladly sell it to you if you like quantums. These are impossible to find and there probably isnt one in existence in this condition.

[A-Jay]

26 minutes ago, bogfrog said:

. Im NOT basing my opinion one one bad experience...its EVERY quantum reel Ive ever owned, 

@bogfrog ~

My experience has been completely different.

Guess I just got lucky. 

 

A-Jay

 

 

[bogfrog]

I remember when those Exo reels were less than $100. Looks like you stocked up!

Thats a pattern with quantum. No matter what they sell for, give it a year and they will be less than 1/2 price.

Now i feel silly for spending all that money on my T-3 reels when I could have got a $100 quantum thats just as good. Who knew? Thanks for setting me straight.

[GReb]

I’ve owned a few older Quantum’s with the ACS brakes and never had an issue with them. Those reels will still outcast most of my Shimano, daiwa, and Lews to this day. 
 

The only reel I’ve ever had break on me was a Pflueger Supreme back in like 2005. They replaced it and that reel is still decent 15 years later. 
 

Call me crazy but unless you are casting super light lures there aren’t really much difference between any $100–250 reel. Even a $50 Abu black max can be casted all day with little fuss

[PhishLI]

40 minutes ago, bogfrog said:

I remember when those Exo reels were less than $100. Looks like you stocked up!

Thats a pattern with quantum. No matter what they sell for, give it a year and they will be less than 1/2 price.

Now i feel silly for spending all that money on my T-3 reels when I could have got a $100 quantum thats just as good. Who knew? Thanks for setting me straight.

Hey bro, take it easy. This place isn't a Usenet wild west chat group from 1999. You can have a strong opinion and be polite at the same time, especially with a member like AJ who has the highest standing here. 

 

You seem stressed out. There are exercises you can do all by yourself that'll help you relax. Google it.

 

I really like my Daiwa reels, but I know others that hate the braking system. Same thing happens with rods. These tools become an extension of ourselves. It's a personal thing. Therefore, your experience might not be mine. If you haven't tried the Lew's with ACB, or a Quantum with ACS 4.0, then maybe you should. You might be surprised. Since you've provided little detail beyond hyperbole regarding dated reels, I'll assume you haven't.

 

In the meantime be nice.  And don't forget to try those exercises.??

[RichF]

1 hour ago, bogfrog said:

I remember when those Exo reels were less than $100. Looks like you stocked up!

Thats a pattern with quantum. No matter what they sell for, give it a year and they will be less than 1/2 price.

Now i feel silly for spending all that money on my T-3 reels when I could have got a $100 quantum thats just as good. Who knew? Thanks for setting me straight.

Someone needs to turn that quarantine frown upside down.  If you really hate Quantum that much there are plenty of Daiwa threads that will be glad to accept your comments (maybe).  @A-Jay will continue to haul in jumbo smallies and behemoth buckets with those inferior Exos and the rest of us that don't mind using something other than Daiwa will do just fine with this POS Tour.

[OG Crankster]

Just finished up fishing my Smoke  S3 PT for the first time today. I have it on a 7' MF Abu Ike rod with 10lb copoly line. I was casting a 3/16oz Booyah Pond Magic quite far with little effort and nothing even close to a backlash occurred. The reel is light and fit my hand perfectly and is buttery smooth. I know, I only have a couple of hours on it, but like the rest of my Quantum reels, im impressed and happy with my purchase.

[Fishingmickey]

d**n FOMO and the bait monkey... Tour S3 6.1:1 on the way.

[A-Jay]

You guys ARE KILLING ME ! 

A-Jay 

[Grantman83]

I have a bunch of quantums because as has been stated here, you can get them really cheap.  I got 2 icon pts new for $65.  The s3 smokes are sweet and have lost that quantum hump many people didn’t like.  For half price, I’d do it no problem 

[Dogface]

I just saw this: https://shopdunns.com/product/quantum-smoke-s3-pt-low-profile-baitcast-reel-sm100/

[RichF]

24 minutes ago, Dogface said:

I just saw this: https://shopdunns.com/product/quantum-smoke-s3-pt-low-profile-baitcast-reel-sm100/

Nice!  I actually got to take a few casts with the Tour last weekend.  Felt pretty awesome.  Super easy to tune.  Casts far with little to no effort.  Super smooth and the giant handle was really comfortable.  Definitely glad I picked one up.

[Mobasser]

On 3/30/2020 at 1:25 PM, A-Jay said:

@bogfrog ~

My experience has been completely different.

Guess I just got lucky. 

 

A-Jay

 

 

A-Jay, I'll never understand the bashing on Qauntum reels. I got my first one two years ago. Mine is a Tour Edition, standard casting reel. It's a good machine. Light, smooth, and a great drag. What else do we need in A bass reel?

[PhishLI]

Here's a quick update on my new Tour S3

 

I finally got to fish today during daylight hours, which is rare. Since all of my outings up until today have been at night, I was chicken to test the lower limits of this reel. It's a bit of an effort to suit up in waders then trudge to the spots I like. Sorting out backlashes, or overuns, in the dark is unappealing. It's not the time for experimentation.

 

Until today I've played it safe by primarily throwing 3/8oz chatterbaits with light trailers and The Champ Swimmer on an Owner 3/32oz weighted hook which both clock in at 5/8 oz, or 18 grams, and similarly weighted baits. The lightest bait I've thrown is the IMA Bill Lowen squarebill that weighs 3/8oz, and is something any reel can throw.

 

The Tour is mounted on 13 Omen Black ll 7'1" MF and spooled with 15lb Trilene Big Game liberally splooshed with KVD L&L. It's not the ideal line for throwing very light stuff, but I was feeling brave having caught a few already and was about ready to wrap it up anyway.

 

The lightest bait I had on hand was a No.3 Mepps that I'd just rescued from a tree branch down the shoreline and well out of reach of the poor soul who lost it whenever. They clock in at about 6 grams, or just a shad heavier than 3/16 oz. It's aerodynamic, but still rather light. I wasn't optimistic, but Big Game is cheap. I cranked up the brakes, added a dash of spool tension, then began to cast. Each click towards "Free" on the dial the father the lure would fly. By the time I got to the redline I was launching that spinner way out there. Pretty impressive for a deep spool reel loaded with heavy, wirey line. I'm curious to see how it'll do with lighter baits while spooled with a far smoother line like Sufix Advance having a diameter of .011"-.012".

 

So the positives keep stacking up with this reel. It's very smooth on the retrieve. It's a supreme long caster with the baits I've tried. Very comfy to palm, and solid feeling. And here's a bonus: You can lay into a cast as you would with a spinning rod/reel. I'm often casting hard for distance, and make adjustments in my stroke for particular reels I have. This is a must when running zero spool tension and the lowest brake settings. Somehow I can get around this a bit with this reel. I can really lay into and whip the cast when settings are near the redline. Perhaps this accounts for the longer distances I'm getting. 

 

So far so good.

[jimmyjoe]

On 3/30/2020 at 12:51 PM, bogfrog said:

Im NOT basing my opinion one one bad experience...its EVERY quantum reel Ive ever owned, and more than a few.

 

   More than just a few? Why on earth did you continue?    jj

[PhishLI]

Update

 

The winds in New York today were at times relentless. I'm quite close to the ocean, so they were really heavy. Where I stopped to fish it was blowing 18-22mph with much heavier gusts. I tied on an unweighted 5" Strike King Caffeine Shad, cranked up the brake dial to max, then casted hard into the wind. No problem, and I got decent distance. I was able to go several clicks lower, which gave me increased distance, without issue. I didn't need to undo an over run once. I'll admit that I haven't felt the need to try something this extreme with my other centrifugally braked reels because I've had enough blowups with them midcast in far lesser winds. Previously I'd only attempted this in a situation as described when I had the Tatula SV rigged up. I didn't explore every option regarding baits in the short time I had, just a 3/8 oz willowblade spinner. No issues with that either, and I started at the lower brake setting I'd used with the Caffeine Shad.

 

I leave out my boring technical analysis based on the observable mechanical details of this braking system, but just say that it seems to work very well in other than ideal conditions with a limited sample of moderately light baits. While this tidbit might not be worthy of a marching band, it's encouraging, and another plus added to the positive column for this under the radar reel.