Disillusioned by new Shimano Vanford 500 vs Lew's Wally Marshall Signature Series 50

[bulldog1935]

JDM Soare and USM Vanford 500 are the same reel with different cosmetics. 

The Vanford 500 is USM only, not offered in JDM. 

 

Both are the same locomotive-drive reel, and smaller spool pitch than the rest of the Vanford line, which are worm-drive based on 18 Stella. 

 

[immortl]

20 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

JDM Soare and USM Vanford 500 are the same reel with different cosmetics. 

The Vanford 500 is USM only, not offered in JDM. 

<deleted stuff>

 

Nevermind, I was wrong.

[QED]

5 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

JDM Soare and USM Vanford 500 are the same reel with different cosmetics. [stuff deleted]

Spool dimensions seem to be a bit different based on the stated line capacities.  The Soare probably has a shallower spool, but beyond that I like them both just fine for UL spinning.

[dodgeguy]

On 2/20/2021 at 1:06 PM, Yazman said:

I have an ultralight set up (St Croix Triumph 5' UL) that I had a Lew's Wally Marshall Signature Series 50 reel on. I was mostly happy, but baitmonkey kept telling me that the Shimano Vanford 500 which costs literally 10x as much (29.99 vs 299.99, but same bearing count and weight) would be so much smoother and more pleasant to fish with. Baitmonkey thought it was silly using a $29 reel with a St Croix rod.

 

So I just got the Vanford 500 today, and while it is definitely a nice reel, it doesn't feel that much different than the Lew's 50. The Lew's has way less IPT, and the knob feels cheap and has a little play, but it doesn't feel like $200 difference worth. For comparison, my Pflueger Patriarch 25 feels the best out of the bunch.

 

I have lots of inexpensive and top-end expensive stuff, but I'd like some opinions on this one. Could it be that the Vanford is that much nicer, and I feel guilty spending the cash? Is the main difference between the Lew's and the Vanford longevity and endurance? Am I just suffering from the baitmonkey disease?

 

#FirstWorldProblems

Could you imagine where you'd be if you bought Lew's best spinning reel.

[rangerjockey]

12 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Could you imagine where you'd be if you bought Lew's best spinning reel.

Personally, in the saloon .

[ska4fun]

23 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

JDM Soare and USM Vanford 500 are the same reel with different cosmetics. 

The Vanford 500 is USM only, not offered in JDM. 

 

Both are the same locomotive-drive reel, and smaller spool pitch than the rest of the Vanford line, which are worm-drive based on 18 Stella. 

 

So people is paying that much money for a transverse cam oscillation reel?