Question for Shimano Guys

[TimTheGearNerd]

For long time Shimano casting reel owners, how does high priced reels from the early 90s/2000s like the Core/Chronarch compare to cheaper reels today like Curado & SLX? 
 

I know the tech has made its way down the product line like DC, X-ship, MGL, but could a Curado 70 K today outcast a core 50? Is the SLX MGL better than a Chronarch D?
 
I’m curious specifically about comparing build quality, cast distance, and quality/power of retrieve. 
 

Here is a list to get the ideas flowing. 

Caenan
SLX , DC, MGL

Curado, bantam , E, G, K

Chronarch D, E, G, ci4, MGL

Bantam MGL

Aldebaren

Core 50, 100 

Metanium DC, MGL, B MGL

Antares

Surprise challenge: Can we have a topic like this without bringing up the whole Curado G vs Chronarch E thing ?‍♂️? Shimano dun messed up with that one. 
thanks! 

[jbsoonerfan]

I have been thinking about exactly what Shimano reels I have owned and used in the last 20 years or so. I will "try" to list them, I am sure I will leave a few out.

 

Curado D, DSV

Curado E 200, 50

Curado G

Curado I

Curado K 200, 50 MGL (on order)

Curado DC

Citica E

Citica G

Citica I

Chronarch D

Chronarch e6, e7, 50e

Chronarch 50 Mg

Chronarch G

Chronarch MGL

Chronarch ci4

Core 50 Mg, 100

Caius

Casitas

Caenan

Scorpion 200

Scorpion MGL

Scorpion DC

Metanium 13

Metanium MGL

Metanium B

Antares 12

Bantam MGL

Aldebaran 50

SLX MGL 70

Tranx

 

I think that is it. 

 

Now, here is my honest opinion. I like the newer reels way better than the Shimanos of years past. Mainly because of the handles and knobs. All of my older reels I switched the handles and knobs out for newer ones. I would put the Met 20 up against any reel Shimano has ever made. If you will notice the Antares 19 is missing from my list so I can't compare that reel as I am sure it is amazing and the reason I have yet to buy one is because I am afraid of how much I would like it. I still use a Met 13 and the new Bantams make me not want to pick it up as often. The older shimanos are great reels, I just think the newer ones have a little bit more to offer. Now, the newer ones may not last 30 years, but that is o be determined.

[roadwarrior]

You left out the Calais CL200ASV   ?

 

My favorite is the Stella line of spinning reels, but that's another topic. 

I think the Chronarch  CH50Mg was a game changer. Next was the Core.

CTE200GT is another game changer.

 

Today I fish two Core 50MG, two Aldebaran, a Conquest 100, CTE100GT

and Calcutta 300TE. I still like the Core a little more than the newer Aldebaran.

The Conquest is in a class of its own.

 

 

 

 

[JustJames]

I like the built of older reel but performance of newer reel. No matter what newer shimano will not get as smooth as older shimano compare in the same class.

[TimTheGearNerd]

I still have a Curado 50e. I still really like it but I’m hearing great things about the 2020 Met. 
 

I almost got an aldebaran but the aluminum gear was a concern. 

[Shimano_1]

I've not owned all of them but a few of the older chronarchs and curados and a few of the newer chronarchs and curados. The new ones definitely have the edge in terms of ergonomics and such. Maybe even a tad smoother. I have no proof but always had it in my mind the build quality isn't the same as it used to be. Heck its like that in everything these days. I had about 10 curado e's and then the same reels in the chronarch e's. Kick myself all the time for chasing something better and not keeping them. Even tho I'm not a guy who keeps things around like some do...its an awesome thing to know a reel will last you 20 years if cared for. The only new shimano I have that confidence in is the bantam mgl. 

[VolFan]

i fish almost solely Curado Ds with a couple Daiwa Pixies and a Pluton in there as well as a couple Chronarchs. I dont switch or upgrade because the reels are rock solid, super smooth, dead reliable, and pretty easy to work on. I fish everything from ultralight to 7.5 oz swimbaits on the above. None of them are feathers, but they are great reels, and I like the ergonomics and aesthetics.

[roadwarrior]

On 12/13/2020 at 7:13 AM, Shimano_1 said:

I have no proof but always had it in my mind the build quality isn't the same as it used to be. 

The Core !00 was introduced in 2006, the 50Mg a couple of years later. As I stated in an earlier

post on this thread, I fish two. The reels perform flawlessly, as good or better than new. My two

Aldebaran are relatively new (2015).  "Build quality" is subjective, but I think these are two of the

finest reels Shimano has ever offered.

 

[FishTank]

I have had quite a few Shimano's over the years.....  

 

Curado CU-201

Curado 201 BSF

Calais 201A

Sustain 2500

Sarah 2500

Symetre 2500

3 different Stradics

Curado D

Curado E

Curado G

Citica G

Calcutta 251

Core 101MG

Chronarch 51E

Bantam MGL

Curado K

Curado DC

Antares (12) x 2

Antares 70

Vanquish 3000

 

So are the new ones better than the old.... Not necessarily.  The Core still, to me, is a reel that separates itself from all the rest.  It's just a special reel.  It excels at doing all things, simply.  

 

Now, there is one exception here.....  The Antares 70.  It does all things well except it isn't a simple reel and it's pricey.  

 

Another old reel, is the Calcutta 251.  I think it will last past my lifetime and it's next owner.   

 

[roadwarrior]

2 hours ago, FishTank said:

The Core still, to me, is a reel that separates itself from all the rest.  It's just a special reel.  It excels at doing all things, simply.  

[TimTheGearNerd]

I was afraid you’d say the core was awesome. Now it’s impossible to get one. My buddy has a 50 size. I might have to convince him to sell it to me. 
 

I keep hearing the new 2020 metanium is amazing, I wonder how the two compare. Core and Metanium seem to be at the same price level considering the core was one step above the Chronarch back in the day. If only I had the dough back in the day. 

[roadwarrior]

Well, I am a HUGE fan of the Aldebaran.  So, buy the "new".  You will not be disappointed.

 

[JustJames]

I used to like Shimano 50 series more than any reels and have had a few myself from Chronarch 50, aldebaran mg7 now only have one left Scorpion 1000XT. I’m not sure what but some how the 50 shape hurt my palm when fishing with jerkbait where never happen with curado 70. I also feel a lot of time that I can get more distance with 70 than 50 with same type/weight lure.

I planned to collect all the 50 but the hype on Core makes it impossible to get one at reasonable price. I got offer around $220 a few time for super nice core but turned those down. If the core price at 250 or more I’d rather spend a little more and get 2020 Met. IMHO.

BTW that scorpion and of course CQ50 still the smoothest reel compare to any modern shimano reel even compare with bantam MGL.

[TimTheGearNerd]

I think the core was 350 new. It surprises me how well it retained value. Based on the tackle tour review from almost 15 years ago it was a killer reel. They compared it to the Metanium mg from the same era. 
 

I wonder if the Metanium and Bantam reels today will enjoy the same prestige 15 years from now. 

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Tim Hu said:

I wonder if the Metanium and Bantam reels today will enjoy the same prestige 15 years from now. 

Probably. Instant classics. On paper their build concept and quality sets a new standard. As long as there aren't any odd in-use parts breakdowns over time they'll be hard to beat and should easily hold their value. But, don't be surprised if Shimano improves on, or departs from the SVS braking system. When that happens, and it will, that may or may not influence the perceived prestige of those models. Nostalgia is powerful.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Curado70 outperforms the Core 50 easily. Better cranking power better braking system better casting overall. The best thing about the Core was its light weight at that time but you paid for it.

[jbsoonerfan]

2 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Curado70 outperforms the Core 50 easily. Better cranking power better braking system better casting overall. The best thing about the Core was its light weight at that time but you paid for it.

 

GASP!!!!

 

Some will tell you that you are crazy, but I pretty well agree with everything you said.

 

I am guilty, guilty, guilty, of paying a premium price for the Core knowing good and well there were reels available at half the cost that could perform as well or better.

[mrpao]

I still have two core 50's that i use in my lineup. Along with two aldebaran mg7's.  Still love those reels. In fact, i still love my older shimano reels.

But the new ones are nice too. Yes the bantam mgl and 20 metaniums are sweet reels. Heck, i like them all. My wife says I'm obsessed. She's right.

[roadwarrior]

17 hours ago, mrpao said:

 My wife says I'm obsessed. 

 

[TimTheGearNerd]

I just got my 20 Met @DomQ thank you sir! 
 

it’s pretty sweet. It reminds me a lot of the 50 sized reels. Super tight tolerance. It’s like a Rolex, superior engineering and craftsmanship. 

[DomQ]

5 hours ago, Tim Hu said:

I just got my 20 Met @DomQ thank you sir! 
 

it’s pretty sweet. It reminds me a lot of the 50 sized reels. Super tight tolerance. It’s like a Rolex, superior engineering and craftsmanship. 

My pleasure man!!

[Mike L]

To me the best reel made is the Curado E regardless of the make or model made by anybody. 
Sure the newer ones have all kinds of improvements, but it doesn’t necessarily make them better. 
 

 

 

Mike

[roadwarrior]

I have a 50E saddled up on my dedicated spinnerbait rod. The reel is better today than

the first day out of the box. Strong. silent and reliant.

 

[TimTheGearNerd]

@Mike L would love to hear more about what about the E you appreciate. sounds like there are things about the reel that’s not all about the improvements. 
 

 

[Mike L]

2 hours ago, Tim Hu said:

@Mike L would love to hear more about what about the E you appreciate. sounds like there are things about the reel that’s not all about the improvements. 
 

 

To me it’s the most reliable workhorse of a reel made. 
It doesn’t need all the new fancy materials and internals that the newer generation reels have to make it work regardless of what’s tied on. 
 

It will cast as far with minimum backlash with little required maintenance than anything I’ve owned. 
 

It’s the simplicity, and consistency of it that appeals to me. 

 

 

 

Mike