Shimano Stradic CI4+ opinions?

[RoLo]

 

For under $200, if you find a reel better than a Shimano C14, I'd be real interested in that reel.

 

Roger

 

[MJinMN]

I've got a number of stradics and also Daiwa spinning reels.  The difference between the FL/FK etc. and the Ci4 models is weight, the Ci4s are 2-3 oz lighter in most sizes.  My original Ci4 (FA?) has had some issues and not lived up to expectations but the FB I have is a dream, wonderful light reel and works flawlessly.  I don't have anything against the heavier stradics, you should try one on the rod you're wanting to use it on and see which balances better or if one feels better to you.

 

I also have purchased a number of the Daiwas over the past 3 years and my general feeling is that the lower end of Daiwa's lineup is much better than Shimano's, but that the stradic is probably better at the upper end.  I have two tatulas (one black and one stainless steel) and the black tatula is probably my least favorite of the Daiwas that I own.  Recently I bought a Regal LT for $60 and it is smooth, reliable drag and casts great.  I like it at least as much as the tatula that cost 3x as much.

 

Generally, if you are wanting to splurge on a dream setup, my favorite one is an avid with the FB stradic Ci4+.  However, if you want a really sweet reel for the price, I'd go with the Regal LT (other LTs are fine too but I think that is a recent model and they continue to get better) and you could use the money you save to get a nicer rod?

[soflabasser]

Shimano Stradics are very good reels. They can fished for many years if you take care of them.

[NYWayfarer]

5 hours ago, Tywithay said:

G Free Body design moves the center of gravity by shifting the worm shaft oscillation, to improve balance. It's on all of the newer Shimano spinning reels, aluminum included. 

 

 

So the G in G free body design stands for gravity. And the reel is made of Carbon tetraiodide?
 

I think I would prefer the aluminum body FL version. 

[The Maestro]

3 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

So the G in G free body design stands for gravity. And the reel is made of Carbon tetraiodide. 
 

I think I would prefer the aluminum body FL version. 

Pretty sure Ci4 is just a made up name that Shimano came up with. Carbon tetraiodide uses the symbol CI4.

[CountryboyinDC]

Yes, I'm pretty sure that it's not made from carbon tetraiodide.  Otherwise you'd need to store it in the freezer in a vial wrapped in tin foil.  It's good if you want to iodinate an alcohol, where you plan on subsequent displacement of the halogen.  In water, it becomes molecular iodine and iodioform (not sure on the spelling, aka carbon triiodide).  Not particularly good for any part of a reel.

[OG Crankster]

What im thinking is for 150.00, you cant go wrong.

[NYWayfarer]

 

Can anyone confirm what this reel is made of? 

[Revival]

Get the Stradic Ci4+ for $150 and don’t look back. If for some reason you don’t like it, I don’t think you will have a problem selling it for $150.

[jimmyjoe]

9 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

 

Can anyone confirm what this reel is made of? 

 

   Absolutely! Call Shimano in California and ask them! 1-877-577-0600      jj

[pauldconyers]

7 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Absolutely! Call Shimano in California and ask them! 1-877-577-0600      jj

Hey JJ, if I remember right I have read on here that you own the Ci4+ 2500 and the 4000 I think? I was curious if you could answer something for me. Do you know if the "handle" is the same size/length and connection gear on the 2500 and 3000/4000 is the same to where is I wanted the T knob on the 2500 I could just swap the "handle or arm as it were" out with a 3000/4000 and they would work flawlessly?

[fishwizzard]

22 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

 

Can anyone confirm what this reel is made of? 

Fancy plastic, more or less.  

 

They are very nice reels and crazy light weight. I have a pair of them and have been using them for 3ish years with no maintenance and they still feel smooth as the day I got them.  

 

I am not really into fancy spinning reels, but there are some rods that a BG is too heavy for, so the Ci4s have a place.  

[jimmyjoe]

1 minute ago, pauldconyers said:

Hey JJ, if I remember right I have read on here that you own the Ci4+ 2500 and the 4000 I think? I was curious if you could answer something for me. Do you know if the "handle" is the same size/length and connection gear on the 2500 and 3000/4000 is the same to where is I wanted the T knob on the 2500 I could just swap the "handle or arm as it were" out with a 3000/4000 and they would work flawlessly?

 

   Give me a few minutes.   jj

[pauldconyers]

2 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Give me a few minutes.   jj

You the man!!

[jimmyjoe]

6 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Hey JJ, if I remember right I have read on here that you own the Ci4+ 2500 and the 4000 I think? I was curious if you could answer something for me. Do you know if the "handle" is the same size/length and connection gear on the 2500 and 3000/4000 is the same to where is I wanted the T knob on the 2500 I could just swap the "handle or arm as it were" out with a 3000/4000 and they would work flawlessly?

 

   Yup. I just went out and swapped the handles on my Ci4+ 2500FA and my Ci4+ 4000FB, and they swapped perfectly.    jj

[pauldconyers]

4 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Yup. I just went out and swapped the handles on my Ci4+ 2500FA and my Ci4+ 4000FB, and they swapped perfectly.    jj

Thanks for the 411! I was curious if they were different lengths or something.

[jimmyjoe]

10 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Thanks for the 411! I was curious if they were different lengths or something.

 

   Whoa, whoa, there! I checked the thread and length of shaft, I didn't examine the handle length closely! So hold on and let me go out and check again. (darn kids!)  ?  jj

 

   Ok ...... yeah. The length, the angle and the standoff all seem to be the same. Hope this helps ya!    jj

[pauldconyers]

8 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   Whoa, whoa, there! I checked the thread and length of shaft, I didn't examine the handle length closely! So hold on and let me go out and check again. (darn kids!)  ?  jj

 

   Ok ...... yeah. The length, the angle and the standoff all seem to be the same. Hope this helps ya!    jj

It does, appreciate it!

[CountryboyinDC]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

Can anyone confirm what this reel is made of? 

CI4 stands for Carbon Interfusion with the 4 referring to the number of electrons in the Carbon atom. Ultimately, this means CI4 is reinforced Carbon Fiber. The new CI4+ is the next generation of Shimano's CI4 material and 250% stronger.

This is from a Shimano ad.  It sounds like graphite to me.

[pauldconyers]

I was sort of set on the 2500 but looking at the specs it appears the 3000 has the same weight and gear ratio. Only difference is the 3000 holds a bit more line. Is there a reason I am not thinking about to where a bit more line capacity would be a good idea? If not the only real difference I can see between the 2500 and the 3000 is the handle type as they differ.

[onenutinthewater]

9 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

CI4 stands for Carbon Interfusion with the 4 referring to the number of electrons in the Carbon atom. Ultimately, this means CI4 is reinforced Carbon Fiber. The new CI4+ is the next generation of Shimano's CI4 material and 250% stronger.

This is from a Shimano ad.  It sounds like graphite to me.

Gotta tweek something to put out a "new" model for all of us suckers!

[jimmyjoe]

8 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

I was sort of set on the 2500 but looking at the specs it appears the 3000 has the same weight and gear ratio. Only difference is the 3000 holds a bit more line. Is there a reason I am not thinking about to where a bit more line capacity would be a good idea? If not the only real difference I can see between the 2500 and the 3000 is the handle type as they differ.

 

   The deeper spool (smaller arbor) on the 3000 was made for greater nylon line capacity. I didn't think I needed it when I bought the 2500, and I don't think I need it now. Of course, you need to remember 2 things: 1) I use nylon of .010 in. diameter (10 mil) max on my 2500, and 2) I don't fish for steelhead or fish inshore specie. If I did, I might very well appreciate the extra capacity of the 3000.     jj

[Tywithay]

1 hour ago, NYWayfarer said:

 

Can anyone confirm what this reel is made of? 

Appears to be graphite powder infused Polyurethane resin, reinforced with graphite strands

[CountryboyinDC]

6 hours ago, onenutinthewater said:

Gotta tweek something to put out a "new" model for all of us suckers!

I would have thought that they would have run the name meaning past a chemist before they ran with it - surely they have someone at  that company that fits that definition.  Carbon has 6 electrons, helium has 4.  If you look at the carbon atom as a Bohr model, I guess you could say it has 4 electrons in its outer orbital.  But Shimano's ad says 4 electrons in the carbon atom, which is just wrong.

[Tywithay]

1 hour ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I would have thought that they would have run the name meaning past a chemist before they ran with it - surely they have someone at  that company that fits that definition.  Carbon has 6 electrons, helium has 4.  If you look at the carbon atom as a Bohr model, I guess you could say it has 4 electrons in its outer orbital.  But Shimano's ad says 4 electrons in the carbon atom, which is just wrong.

I guess they're referring to the 4 valance electrons ?. Doesn't make a lot of sense. If the reel is indeed sone form of graphite, it can only bond to 3 electrons so that's more confusing still, as far as the 4 number goes. I guess at the end of the day it doesn't really matter what it's made of. I've never seen issues with one flexing or breaking, and shimano uses ci4 on the Thunnus for saltwater use. They're clearly pretty confident in the material. If people don't like it, there's an aluminum alternative.