Smoke S3 casting reels.

[new2BC4bass]

Can I safely assume the only difference between the Quantum Smoke S3 and the KVD Smoke S3 are the trim?  Thanks.

[PhishLI]

20 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Can I safely assume the only difference between the Quantum Smoke S3 and the KVD Smoke S3 are the trim?  Thanks.

Bearing count, afaik. I've been eyeballing them myself.

[new2BC4bass]

Debated about a week ago whether to get or not one when there was a thread on them.  Think the sale price mentioned in the thread was below $100.  Was able to talk myself out of it.  Can get the KVD now for $110.  Supposedly S3 casts way far.  I fish from shore so extra distance is a plus.  Just don't know if it is worth me getting another reel as I have no rod for it.  Dang Bait Monkey. 

[Chris186]

Just bought the KVD myself for $109. It’s about an ounce heavier than the Smoke s3, and I like the trim of the KVD better. I believe the bearing count is the same total. It’s my first Quantum reel so I hope it works out.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Chris186 said:

Just bought the KVD myself for $109. It’s about an ounce heavier than the Smoke s3, and I like the trim of the KVD better. I believe the bearing count is the same total. It’s my first Quantum reel so I hope it works out.

8+1 in the KVD, 10+1 in the Smoke S3. I doubt it means a thing. Just guessing, but the weight difference may be a brass main gear in the KVD vs aluminum in the S3? If you get around to popping yours open please share the intel.

4 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Debated about a week ago whether to get or not one when there was a thread on them.  Think the sale price mentioned in the thread was below $100.  Was able to talk myself out of it.  Can get the KVD now for $110.  Supposedly S3 casts way far.  I fish from shore so extra distance is a plus.  Just don't know if it is worth me getting another reel as I have no rod for it.  Dang Bait Monkey. 

If you watch the auction site, singles have closed at $75 sometimes.  Pairs for $140ish. Simmons is an authorized dealer so warranty should hold up. You can call to confirm.

4 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Supposedly S3 casts way far. 

The Tour S3 definitely does. Not much difference if any, probably.

[DomQ]

The Smoke S3 is a tank In my opinion, the gen2 were nice and casted far but the S3 feel far beyond what the gen2 was. The S3 is way more smooth and feels more solid, you can really tell they wanted to make something people would be proud to show off. Very nice oversized knobs on the handle as well, good for average to large hands and handle itself is a great length. It casts further then my curado K and feels just as solid. I will say I do nest it a little bit more then my curado K but i find myself pushing my smoke S3 harder. The main gear is a nice big beefy gear, came from the factory with a good amount of grease but I still loved it myself and the bearings are great. The tour S3 also has a sapphire washer under the tension knob where the smoke S3 does not. They were really going on about that at a couple of expos I went to. All in all the smoke S3 is a very underrated reel and talking about it now is making me want another one.

[PhishLI]

1 minute ago, BaitFinesse said:

I handled one at my local PBS.  It was far from smooth and really gritty feeling when turning the handle.  Not a fan of the foam knobs either.  It is a light weight a cool looking reel though. 

The Tour S3 I have is liquid smooth, but just like the Curado K it feels oddly disconnected because of that. I'm not claiming this translates throughout the line or reel to reel.

[PhishLI]

36 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

The smoke has an aluminum maingear and I think a magnesium frame.  This is often a recipe for a less than buttery smooth retrieve and especially so after the reel breaks in.  Weight savings and all.  All of my old Steez got this way and ended up less smooth than my other aluminum frame bass gear Daiwas that were slightly less smooth initially but did not significantly deteriorate with use.

According to their site that series is aluminum. Only the Tour MG is magnesium.

 

Yes, I'll be on the lookout for brass gears from a lower end model that might swap in. Same for the Lew's Tournament Pro. However, if that isn't possible I'm not going to get OCD'd out about it, or try not to anyway.

[PhishLI]

The newer Icon PT is 7.0 vs 7.3 for the Tour S3. I'll have one here this week and mic everything up and see if there's a possibility.