Help With Upgrading My Older 200B Shimanos

[5/0]

Starting to think about upgrading my older Curado 200Bs. They are still functional, just a little long in the tooth and it never hurts to have something newer. I would like to stay with Shimano and keep it under 200.00. The two I’ve looked at are the SLX and SLX 150 XT.

The SLX would be a far newer reel with basically the same VBS style breaks. I don’t full understand how the SVS system on the 150 XT works. Is it the same centrifugal system with a fine tuning external dial similar to the DC but without the chip?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks....Joe

 

 

 

[r83srock]

I find the SLX to be as simple to use and setup as the b series Curados. The xt I don’t have but I do have the mgl slx which is the same braking system as the Curado K. The VBS allows for a cone that makes contact with the brake shoes to apply more contact with those shoes via turning the external dial from 1-6. There are only 4 shoes on the SVS much like the 6 pin system on the older curados. Most people apply 2 shoes ON and 2 OFF and is generally a set and forget, with the ability to fine tune braking externally. I have come to like the SVS infinity on the SLX mgl and Curado K. I still own Curado 100b and 200b reels and aside from those, the SLX mgl and Curado K are my latest favorites. I’ll likely use these ones 20 years also, just how I am.

[FishTank]

I would go with the Curado K if you have been using the B's.  The SLX is slightly smaller.

 

The guy I fish with has 5 of the B's. That's all he fishes.  He tried the SLX and didn't like the way it palmed.  He said it felt like a kid's toy but he said the same about my Chronarch 51e as well.   I have fished the SLX and like it a lot.  It's the best $100 reel I have tried.  

[5/0]

14 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I would go with the Curado K if you have been using the B's.  The SLX is slightly smaller.

I looked at those too. I’m going to have to take a trip to BPS and handle the different models.

[Big Hands]

While I don't have 'giant hands', the hand I palm a reel with measures 10.5" from the tip of my thumb to the tip of my pinkie finger when outstretched (I am a size 11 in glove sizes, or at least an XXL to be comfortable).

 

Interesting that someone would feel a reel is too small to be comfortable. In spite of my 'big hands', I love the lower profile on the SLX MGL 70. It's on an SLX casting rod, so the reel seat doesn't have it perched up high.

[new2BC4bass]

Here is a review of the Scorpion 70....has SVS Infinity braking.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimscorp7071.html

 

I had my Scorpion 71 out once.  Found it harder to get dialed in than my older Shimanos.  I found a post by Dwight Hottle  (spelling?) sometime afterwards.  Wish I had this information before going out with the Scorpion.  Might have been a bit easier getting it dialed in.  As it is my reel still needs some fine tuning.  The post was in regards to the Bantam, but it has the SVS Infinity braking as well.

 

Quote: "After talking to a reel tech I found the answer to better casting distance. I always set my Shimano reels up with one or two brakes on. This was not the right way for the Bantam to achieve maximum casting distance. I was instructed to employ all four brakes on and set the braking dial at 2.5 then fine tune the dial a .5 adjustment at a time until I was happy with the outcome. That advice turned it into a distance casting machine for me."

 

I fish from shore so distance is important to me.

[5/0]

43 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Quote: "After talking to a reel tech I found the answer to better casting distance. I always set my Shimano reels up with one or two brakes on. This was not the right way for the Bantam to achieve maximum casting distance. I was instructed to employ all four brakes on and set the braking dial at 2.5 then fine tune the dial a .5 adjustment at a time until I was happy with the outcome. That advice turned it into a distance casting machine for me."

So this would be a starting point with any starting point with Shimanos incorporating the SVS  system?

[5/0]

Does the 200K have the metal (Hagane) body?

[new2BC4bass]

13 hours ago, 5/0 said:

So this would be a starting point with any starting point with Shimanos incorporating the SVS  system?

I would assume so since SVS Infinity brakes should be the same across all models.  I haven't had my Scorpion out since coming across that post.  I also have a Bantam still in the box to set up.

 

7 minutes ago, 5/0 said:

Does the 200K have the metal (Hagane) body?

Yes...according to the TT first look at the Curado K.

[5/0]

I am leaning toward SLX XT, but have looked at the Curado K also. Is the X-Ship technology worth the extra 50.00?

 

Joe

[r83srock]

I can’t say on x-ship. Besides marketing I’m not sure that it really amounts to much, possibly smoothness, which the k does feel a hair smoother on retrieve, but I would think that’s due to gearing. Both reels are great, and I don’t consider one to be an upgrade or downgrade over the other. 

[5/0]

20 minutes ago, r83srock said:

I can’t say on x-ship. Besides marketing I’m not sure that it really amounts to much, possibly smoothness, which the k does feel a hair smoother on retrieve, but I would think that’s due to gearing. Both reels are great, and I don’t consider one to be an upgrade or downgrade over the other. 

Thank you. It appears to be a durability factor with the gearing, I could  wrong. It may benefit those that need a workhorse reel that is fished a lot more than I would be using it.

[NJBasstard]

I messed with my SVS reels a lot when I first got them but I honestly just treat them the same as my VBS reels. VBS gets 2 on 4 off and SVS gets 2 on with the external dial around 2.5-3 and I never really touch it again.

 

I do think the micro module gears, X-Ship and carbon drag on the Curado K are worth the extra depending on what it's being used for. For a workhorse reel (frogging, punching ect.) I'll choose a K over the SLX. It should hold up to more abuse. That being said, the size and weight of the SLX feels better in my hands. I have and use both for different things.