Vanford Vs. Stradic FL 2500

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

I see the Vanford is 1.5oz lighter and has 1 more bearing. Is there any other significant difference between these two?

I want to pick up one of these for freshwater fishing, i really doubt i would notice the difference between 6 or 7 bearings and the heavier Stradic FL is still pretty darn light at  only 7.9oz. I'm favoring the Stradic FL if those are the only major differences due to the fact that it's cheaper and a stunningly beautiful reel while the Vanford is more expensive and less attractive to me. However if there  are other differences that justify the extra money and the less atractive reel (imo) i may just get the Vanford. I only fish freshwater if that helps. If anyone has had a hands on with both of these models in any sizes i would really apreciate your opinion, thanks!

 

[kayaking_kev]

I believe the Vanford had Aluminum gears with a Ci4 body and MGL spool, while the Stradic FL is all Aluminum (Hagane), which is why there is a weight difference and that should make the Stradic FL a little more durable and last longer. I'm not sure, but the Vanford might be able to cast farther with that MGL spool. Both are nice reels, but if I had to choose, I would pick the Vanford, just because I like lighter gear.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

1 minute ago, kayaking_kev said:

I believe the Vanford had Aluminum gears with a Ci4 body and MGL spool, while the Stradic FL is all Aluminum (Hagane), which is why there is a weight difference and that should make the Stradic FL a little more durable and last longer. I'm not sure, but the Vanford might be able to cast farther with that MGL spool. Both are nice reels, but if I had to choose, I would pick the Vanford, just because I like lighter gear.

Excellent thanks! I'll have to look into that MGL spool and see if the Stradic also has the same and if not what the difference is. Thanks for the reply.

[JustJames]

They both got magnum lite rotor (MGL rotor), not spool. The spool material on spinning reel is not so important and should not effect casting distance but of course more expensive reel using lighter weight material just to save weight.

They both got MMii KGN gears, Long Stroke spool. The main difference between both is body/frame which Vanford is CI4+ while FL is aluminum. Vanford is actually FL on steroid. If regular bass fishing either should be fine as long as it balance well with your rod. Finesse I would go with Vanford, light weight combo is better suit for finesse and easier on yourself.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

3 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

They both got magnum lite rotor (MGL rotor), not spool. The spool material on spinning reel is not so important and should not effect casting distance but of course more expensive reel using lighter weight material just to save weight.

They both got MMii gears, Long Stroke spool. The main difference between both is body/frame which Vanford is CI4+ while FL is aluminum. Vanford is actually FL on steroid. If regular bass fishing either should be fine as long as it balance well with your rod. Finesse I would go with Vanford, light weight combo is better suit for finesse and easier on yourself.

Excellent thank you. So if i'm reading this correctly it's mostly a difference in material qualities where the Vanford is using lighter more expensive materials? But as far as performance goes they will be about the same because they have very similar working parts?

[shimanoangler]

The MGL rotor is a big deal.  I have four FLs and they are amazing, but the MGL rotor is on the Sustain, CI4+ Stradic and higher end reels like the Vanquish.   The FLs are incredibly smooth, but I suspect that the Vanford will be even smoother.   That said if you like the looks of the FL, go with it.  It's an incredible reel.   

[JustJames]

I am trying to confirm if in fact FL got also Mignumlite rotor.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

22 minutes ago, shimanoangler said:

The MGL rotor is a big deal.  I have four FLs and they are amazing, but the MGL rotor is on the Sustain, CI4+ Stradic and higher end reels like the Vanquish.   The FLs are incredibly smooth, but I suspect that the Vanford will be even smoother.   That said if you like the looks of the FL, go with it.  It's an incredible reel.   

Thank you, it's confusing to me. I checked both models on the Shimano website and it has the Vanford listed as having the MGL rotor but not the Stradic FL. Does this make the Vanford cast better or just feel smoother? 

[JustJames]

I’m not sure where I get that FL also got MGL rotor. If not then Vanford all the way. Like @shimanoanglermentioned MGL rotor is better, smoother? and lower inertia at start up.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

Just now, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

I’m not sure where I get that FL also got MGL rotor. If not then Vanford all the way. Like @shimanoanglermentioned MGL rotor is better, smoother? and lower inertia at start up.

Awesome, thanks guys i already purchased the Stradic FL (it's out for delivery right now) but i can just send it back and pick up the Vanford instead. I'll take the FL out of the box when it gets here to look at it but for i think about 20 dollars more the Vanford sounds like a better deal.

[NOC 1]

11 minutes ago, AJ.AJ.AJ. said:

Thank you, it's confusing to me. I checked both models on the Shimano website and it has the Vanford listed as having the MGL rotor but not the Stradic FL. Does this make the Vanford cast better or just feel smoother? 

On a spinning reel the spool has little to do with how it casts as long as you have the appropriately sized spool and the lip isn't damaged. Think about it. It doesn't do anything except sit there.

 

The Magnesium rotor is all about the retrieve. A lighter rotor means that there is less inertia to overcome when you start to reel the line in and less of a flywheel effect when you want to stop reeling. It's hard for me to see how it would make the reel smoother but that may be the sensation some folks may come away with. To me a lighter rotor just feels more controlled and quicker which makes it seem a little more precise.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

1 minute ago, NOC 1 said:

On a spinning reel the spool has little to do with how it casts as long as you have the appropriately sized spool and the lip isn't damaged. Think about it. It doesn't do anything except sit there.

 

The Magnesium rotor is all about the retrieve. A lighter rotor means that there is less inertia to overcome when you start to reel the line in and less of a flywheel effect when you want to stop reeling. It's hard for me to see how it would make the reel smoother but that may be the sensation some folks may come away with. To me a lighter rotor just feels more controlled and quicker which makes it seem a little more precise.

Thanks, sounds like the Vanford is better. Think i'll be returning the stradic FL when it shows up, although i'm going to take it out of the box and look at it when it gets here so who knows i may not want to part ways with it once i have it in my hands. 

[NHBull]

I do like the size and weight of the 2000 for finesse applications.  The 3000 is also available in xg which will appeal to many

[NOC 1]

10 minutes ago, AJ.AJ.AJ. said:

Thanks, sounds like the Vanford is better. Think i'll be returning the stradic FL when it shows up, although i'm going to take it out of the box and look at it when it gets here so who knows i may not want to part ways with it once i have it in my hands. 

I like the aluminum FL personally, it's just a bit heavy for a lot of rods made these days. But it feels solid as a vault door. And smooth as it should be.

 

 It's not like the Vanford is going to make the FL feel like a coffee grinder all of a sudden. It simply has a lighter frame and rotor. That said, Magnesium rotors are nice.

 

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

For bass fishing the Vanford is the way to go, 1.5 oz is a lot of weight.  The FL is a great reel especially for the price.  The frame is material is the biggest difference between the 2.  If your just bass fishing you don't have to worry about the material flexing or anything like that. 

Looking for a reel is like looking for a puppy, when you get a good in your hands odds are its going home with you. 

When the FL comes throw it on the rod and see where the balance is.  If its to far back return it and get the Vanford.  Or keep the FL and see if you can get an Exceler or Fuego, there not as light or as precise as the Vanford but are great reels for the money.

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

54 minutes ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

For bass fishing the Vanford is the way to go, 1.5 oz is a lot of weight.  The FL is a great reel especially for the price.  The frame is material is the biggest difference between the 2.  If your just bass fishing you don't have to worry about the material flexing or anything like that. 

Looking for a reel is like looking for a puppy, when you get a good in your hands odds are its going home with you. 

When the FL comes throw it on the rod and see where the balance is.  If its to far back return it and get the Vanford.  Or keep the FL and see if you can get an Exceler or Fuego, there not as light or as precise as the Vanford but are great reels for the money.

Thanks for the input. Nice name btw!?

[mrpao]

If you've never held the FL, you may be pleasantly surprised by how smooth they are. Depending on the technique, the aluminum frame will absorb much of the vibrations making the reel feel very smooth.

Not so true with CI4+ frames. They allow more vibrations to be transmitted to the hand. There for, better for more finesse applications.

[shimanoangler]

5 hours ago, AJ.AJ.AJ. said:

Thank you, it's confusing to me. I checked both models on the Shimano website and it has the Vanford listed as having the MGL rotor but not the Stradic FL. Does this make the Vanford cast better or just feel smoother? 

The MGL rotor won't make the reel cast further, in theory they should cast the same as the both have the Long Stroke Spool (better line lay, meaning the line comes off the spool with less friction due to better line lay).   The MGL rotor provides lighter startup inertia, which is a REALLY fancy way of saying it feels easier to turn the handle.   So that lighter feel in turning the handle theoretically will make the reel feel smoother.  As others have said, the FL is ridiculously smooth.   So that begs the question, how much smoother can the Vanford be....  My only comparison is I have a 2019 Vanquish, and OMG is that reel unbelievably smooth....  So maybe, just maybe, the Vanford will be Vanquish like smooth....  But casting will be exactly the same as the FL.   Man, I LOVE talking about equipment!!! 

[Gkitz]

I have 3 2500 stradic and my van Ford 2500 just arrived. It’s very light and smooth. I’m headed to table rock tomorrow and will report on the vanford

[GetFishorDieTryin]

17 hours ago, mrpao said:

If you've never held the FL, you may be pleasantly surprised by how smooth they are. Depending on the technique, the aluminum frame will absorb much of the vibrations making the reel feel very smooth.

Not so true with CI4+ frames. They allow more vibrations to be transmitted to the hand. There for, better for more finesse applications.

Megabass has found that metal is the best material to transmit vibration.  They use titanium in their rods to increase sensitivity.  Carbon composites and graphite tend to dampen vibration.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

17 hours ago, shimanoangler said:

The MGL rotor won't make the reel cast further, in theory they should cast the same as the both have the Long Stroke Spool (better line lay, meaning the line comes off the spool with less friction due to better line lay). 

The line lay on my FL isn't that much better then my FK.  The line doesn't change directions as many times during a cast with the taller spool.  There is a slight increase in distance, but its negligible and IMO doesn't warrant upgrading to the FL if you have an FK based on increased distance alone.  The FK is smooth but as far precision goes the FL is on another level. 

[LCG]

I bought the FL at the beginning of this year before the vanford was released. I did compare it to the ci4+ and I prefer the feel of the aluminum FL. Feels like a tank, but so smooth. I don't find the weight to be an issue at all, in fact all the rods I have used don't balance a light reel well.

 

The vanford looks like a great reel, I think it's a matter of preference. I am very happy with the FL and tested it on a few 5lb bass this year, which is pretty big around my area. Has stood up with 0 issues. I expect it will last a very long time. This reel actually impressed me so much, I sold off my other reels and own only Shimano now. Call me a fan boy, but the quality and craftsmanship is very impressive. 

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

The line lay on my FL isn't that much better then my FK.  The line doesn't change directions as many times during a cast with the taller spool.  There is a slight increase in distance, but its negligible and IMO doesn't warrant upgrading to the FL if you have an FK based on increased distance alone.  The FK is smooth but as far precision goes the FL is on another level. 

This is interesting to know. I’m really looking for a small spinning reel with slow Oscillation. I think slow oscillation really improve casting distance base on the line lay tighter on spool and will change direction less often. Nowadays a lot of spinning reels using X-wrap (shimano) Cross wrap Daiwa, with a lot faster oscillation.
 

[AJ.AJ.AJ.]

I received my Stradic FL yesterday but had decided to instead get the Vanford after listening to you guys on this thread. I just went ahead and took the box off my porch and put it directly into the trunk of my car without even opening it. Today I figured just out of curiosity  I would open the box up and see how it felt before I returned it. Wow what a nice reel. I ended up ordering the 3000 because I wanted the higher retrieve (37in). All of my fishing in this town is from the bank on reservoirs and lakes that have very limited spots to cast from if you dont have a boat. I end up doing a lot of standing in the same one or two spots and cast my plastics out as far as I can up and down the banks to reach spots where there might be bass and that also means a lot of reeling plastics back long distances all day. The weight (7.9oz) to me feels super light so that's not an issue. Oddly enough I held the 8oz Stradic FL in one hand and the 6.5 Exceler LT 1000 in the other (both by the reel foot) and i swear that Stradic absolutely feels lighter than the Exceler. The only reason i can think of is that the Exceler is in a more compact package where the larger Stradic has the weight better distributed. In fact when I took the Stradic out of the box I thought they sent me the wrong size because I could immediately tell it felt lighter than my Exceler, first thing I looked at was what size was printed on the reel. So anyways yeah, that reel feels so smooth and lighter than I thought it was going to feel that I'm just going to keep it since i already have it, not to mention that I think it's a stunning reel. I already had ordered a silver Daiwa Tatula Elite Signature Series Bass Rod (Cody Meyer finesse) that I tried to cancel this morning to instead get the black and red Shimano Zodias for the Vanford I was going to order, but the Daiwa rod had already shipped so atleast now that's one less return to deal with if I keep the Stradic. 

   Long story short (I know too late for that now!) the Stradic FL is beautiful and feels super smooth  and lighter than I thought it would. I couldn't be happier with it!

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Your absolutely right, the slower the oscillation the more even the line lay should be.  Line lay is an important factor in casting distance and is often overlooked.  I have a bunch of Penn reels that don't cast very far and the poor line lay is a big factor in that.  When you compare the oscillation speed of the FL to the a long cast reel like the Ultegra, the FL doesn't seem so slow anymore.  Im not dogging the FL at all, IMO the FL dollar for dollar is one of the best reels on the market, it feels closer to a $400 reel then a $200 reel. 

If your looking for a long stroke the Vanford and FL are the way to go depending on what your doing with it.  Shimano makes more reels with taller spools, but theyre on the higher end of the scale and the price reflects that. 

These reels are mass produced so you could have 2 FLs in the same size and one may stack line better then the other.