Synchronized level wind?

[Elkins45]

I've been fishing with an old Ambassadeur that was my grandfathers but I'm used to more modern reels. All my newer reels have level winds that disengage when casting but the Ambassadeur level wind stays engaged and zips back and forth with the cast. To me it feels like this eats up a lot of the energy of the cast and makes it hard to cast lighter baits the same distance I could cast them with a non-synchronized reel. I'm wondering what advantage, if any a synchronized level wind gives to a reel?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If there were an advantage it wouldn’t be 60 yr old technology. The models with level wind and idler bearings cast better, but even the older reels cast 1/2oz> fine, a little lighter if cleaned and lubricated properly. In a reel with a wide spool the synchronized level wind minimizes the angle of line coming off the spool into the guide but I’m not sure that offsets the having to drive the level wind when casting. 

[Linewinder]

I have an old Pflueger Supreme, you know the type as "knuckle buster" where the handle spins as it is cast.  Distance is terrible when compare to today's reels.  I do wonder if the handle acts as a flywheel.... hmm?  Anyway, the line guide travels with the line exactly in and out.  I find that if the level wind pawl is in good shape and there is no backlashing during the cast, the line cast and retrieve lays smoothly across the spool.  Somehow it is pleasing to watch.  But I think this is more of a technology/manufacturing design compromise than a real purpose. 

 

However, in other reels that the level wind guide is disengaged (but doesn't float with the line travel * ) I find (see) and hear the line pulling across the remaining line on the spool as it is cast, surely providing some resistance.  The best scenario is when it is in the center.  I think it is Diawa that is recently addressing this with a flip down/up guide that is T-shaped to provide a wider area for the line to cast through so that the angle of departure from the edges of the spool are not as sharp.

 

 

* In the land of Ambassadeur there are older models as you know that disengage the level wind guide so that it mostly floats with the line peeling off the spool.  I say mostly because there are springs on either side that assist in re-engaging it upon retrieve.  I have experience with the Mag I Plus.  It casts pretty darn far and well, but unfairly I almost only ever use it on a 7' rod.  It also has a relatively narrow spool.

[roadwarrior]

DVT just finished tuning two vintage Abu Garcia Ambasseur for me. They are "like new",

but I consider them unfishable. Technology has moved a long ways in 60 years.

 

[redmeansdistortion]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

DVT just finished tuning two vintage Abu Garcia Ambasseur for me. They are "like new",

but I consider them unfishable. Technology has moved a long ways in 60 years.

 

I fish new reels and I fish Ambassadeurs.  When tuned for lighter baits, a newer 4600 C3/C4 will cast 1/4 ounce almost as effortlessly as a modern low profile.  It's all in the thumb, how your rod loads, which lubes you're using and where, and how you have the centrifugal brake set up.  The spool and line guide used on the newer Ambassadeurs are much, much lighter than what was used less than a decade ago.  The newer line guide weighs 2 grams, older line guide is closer to 7 grams.  With the older 4600 spool, those came in at 21 grams, a newer 4600 spool tips the scale at 14 grams, less than any of my low profile reels outside of my BFS gear.  On a ML or M power rod, it's most certainly more than capable.  You can find the newer lighter spools and line guides on eBay, they are usually sold for around $20 +/-.

 

 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Syncronised levelwind with  drag is a asset .... more so with bigger fish

And light line

[J Francho]

Having a line guide that moves as drag is peeling is definitely a feature I'd want on a reel with a wide spool.  There aren't any reels appropriate for bass fishing that have a spool wide enough for this to matter.  I have seen some reels where the line guide doesn't move while drag is peeling, and the line lays a little weird when you reel in without drag slip.

[Elkins45]

My grandad died in 1977 and was ill for several years prior, so these reels are from the early 70's at the latest. I'm using them with 65lb braid and casting heavy muskie lures so it's not so much of a disadvantage, but I don't think I would ever use one for bass fishing with normal lures.

[diehardbassfishing]

I'll bring out my Ambassadeur (ultra-cast generation spool) 4500 or 5500 and always very surprised how well they cast - even lighter soft plastic rigs.

 

I do my own maintenance on my equipment - so all lubrication (spool bearing, plastic bushing, and gear) work is better than factory. I also change the break blocks (there are black, blue and white weights) for suitable breaking control.

 

I believe the "load" created by the level-wind (as long as it's not too much from poor lube, or tight gear busing) actually aids in spool speed control. When set-up right there is very little compromise compared to a modern low profile reel.

 

Karl

[diehardbassfishing]

 

 

And they can be Very Pretty!

 

 

Karl

[redmeansdistortion]

23 minutes ago, diehardbassfishing said:

 

 

And they can be Very Pretty!

 

 

Karl

Yes indeed!

 

[WRB]

The reason Lew Childre invented the low profile  Speed Spool reel with level wind moved forward was to minimize the angle of the line coming off the spool. This design obsoleted the engaged level wind. 

Line tends to follow the pattern lay on the spool without a level wind with slight nug as it approaches the spool end to return back and forth. 

I Learned to fish with a 1946 era Langley 340 Target with free spool and no level wind. 

All my salt water reels do not have a level wind because of pawl failure under high stress fast strong ocean fish put on it. It's easy to learn to use a finger for line management.

Tom

[J Francho]

This is nice for lighter lines. 

[Double__Digits]

I still have two old Abu's. This past year I fished them both, and both had issues. Pawl was shot on one and the other just needed bearings.

 

I ordered the parts, cleaned + lubed, and both are still dyn"o"mite!

I fished the cheapo Royal Express on a Medium rod throwing square bills and it rocketed them to alarmingly long distance. My fishing partner was like " what the he'll are you using"?

The 4500C is still a bit noisy, but otherwise performs flawlessly..

 

I still prefer my reals that have bearing supported pinion gears. They're just a bit smoother and more durable over time, so I feel.  Not to mention, all day casting and reeling there's no comparison between them and a low profile reel as far as comfort goes.

 

I personally don't feel the synchronized levelwind detracts much as far as distance goes.

After all, most people tighten up either their magnets or centrifuge brakes a bit anyway. A synchronized levelwind may create a bit more drag on the spool but it's negated by the overall need to slow to slow the spool anyhow. Kind of a six in one hand half in the other kind of deal.

[Elkins45]

Do the Daiwa Millionaire reels have synchronized level wind?