New 2021 Daiwa Zillion SV TW

Msl819 · September 21, 2021

Does anyone have one with good time on the water that can give a recommendation? I would especially be interested to know how it compares to the previous Zillion/Steez and reels like the Bantam MGL. The reviews online seems glowing but I would be interested to hear from folks here. Thanks in advance.

PressuredFishing · September 22, 2021

1 hour ago, Msl819 said:

Does anyone have one with good time on the water that can give a recommendation? I would especially be interested to know how it compares to the previous Zillion/Steez and reels like the Bantam MGL. The reviews online seems glowing but I would be interested to hear from folks here. Thanks in advance.

Specs on the Diawas seem to have small fine tuning+ spool weight reductions based on Icast specs. Shimanos curados are pretty much reskins+ replacing the knobs and removing the metal nut retainer for a plastic nut retainer. thats a nutshell. I have not held these reels, or purchased any of them, so take my comments with a grain of salt, I have just looked at the specs comparing the newest versions to the older models. Personally ill be waiting to see if there is a bigger jump in technology, (FTB system style breaking systems that work even better, smaller profile, weight reduction, etc.) Im not knocking the reels, far from it, I just dont need any more reels at the moment and there isnt much revolutionary technology I see to justify my spending the 400 dollars for a new reel.

txchaser · September 22, 2021

I got a great deal on a Steez SV and always wanted to try one, so I did. It's a great reel.

Then the zillions came out, with a bunch of hubbub, so I thought I'd give that a run too. Bought one, and now I'm in the process of trading out a bunch of tatula SV's for the zillions.

The multi-stage spool in the zillion is really interesting, as it isn't nearly as choked off at the end.

bulldog1935 · September 22, 2021

I bought a Steez SV-TW, then bought a Zillion. I've had both on the water, and fished the Zillion hard a few weeks ago. I like the 1000-size reels because of the 34-mm dia spool.

The 21 Zillion is essentially the '19 Steez with LW bushings instead of BB, aluminum frame instead of magnesium (more like a Steez A twin minus the BB). Spools swap between them. You can upgrade the worm shaft bushings to BB if you're motivated (not that it's necessary).

The big difference with older Mag-Force Daiwas is the newer SV reels have stronger magnets, allowing them to have thinner, lighter-weight spool brake rotor. The whole spool mass thing becomes a positive-reinforcing circle - less mass, more effective brakes, less brakes needed, etc. - a lesson many on the forum won't acknowledge, but reel makers learned and keep moving forward.

Each generation of moving-rotor SV spools is going to get a little better, as Daiwa tunes spool mass, rotor and SV spring rate.

iabass8 · September 23, 2021

I've had mine for almost a year now. I like it a lot. I've had the Steez SVTW/A/Morethan variants for nearly 5 years. Spool performance is similar to the 1016 sVTW steez spool but isn't as choked off on a long cast. frame wise it's a little bulkier than the Steez svtw frame but still small and compact in hand. Only negative is I don't like threaded nut handle caps. i prefer the bolt in. Very smooth, consistent reel.

freelancer27 · September 23, 2021

I had mine for 4 months now. I fish it alongside my Morethan, Steez SV/A/CT.

Overall i am pleased with the reel, but not blown away.

Yes, it is smooth, yes it casts a good distance. But it doesnt cast lighter lure sizes as well as the Steez SV does.

I had originally bought the Zillion to use for my skipping combo. That was a big mistake. It sits now on my 893c NRX + where the reel struggles when I am throwing 1/4oz lures at times.

There are some good deals on ebay for Steez. I personally think that for 50 usd more (when one finds a sale), the Steez is worth the extra money.

iabass8 · September 23, 2021

5 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

I had mine for 4 months now. I fish it alongside my Morethan, Steez SV/A/CT.

Overall i am pleased with the reel, but not blown away.

Yes, it is smooth, yes it casts a good distance. But it doesnt cast lighter lure sizes as well as the Steez SV does.

I had originally bought the Zillion to use for my skipping combo. That was a big mistake. It sits now on my 893c NRX + where the reel struggles when I am throwing 1/4oz lures at times.

There are some good deals on ebay for Steez. I personally think that for 50 usd more (when one finds a sale), the Steez is worth the extra money.

Clean your spool bearing. The zillion has a grease shield added for bearing protection that ironically had grease that was in the bearing. I had zero issues throwing a 1/4 flatside balsa crank a ways or skipping jigs with mine.

bulldog1935 · September 23, 2021

A casting trial with 1/8 oz and 12-lb Tatsu, my new Zillion 1000 (stock spool) would consistently hit 90', which is more than enough to fish.

Though I bought it for inshore ML, set up with a shallow spool and 27-lb x-braid, which will easily send 1/8 oz to 140' - this is what I was fishing hard 3 weeks ago.