Best spinning reels under $150?

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, NYWayfarer said:

A quick turn of the drag and I pull out some line is about the same amount of time and efficiency as flipping an anti-reverse switch. 

I just loop my pinkie under the line by the roller and lift a loop off - repeat as needed until you got the length you want.

[JustJames]

On 8/24/2022 at 7:02 AM, Bass Rutten said:

For anyone curious about the caldia it’s the jdm equivalent of the ballistic, absolutely love mine, another great choice.

I have heard a lot of rumors about this reel. I don’t say it is not a good reel for under 150 but buying JDM reel is pretty risky too.

1. Rumors, buying MQ body you need special tool that would set you back 30-50 bucks, otherwise professional service only. 
2. The special tool for this model is not the same as Luvias MQ/Kage MQ.

3. Main gear of this reel is made from Zinc not aluminum like Ballistic or Tatula. Might not different much in beginning but overtime I’m not sure and definitely not the same class.

4. New Zaion material, this is still question a lot. Zaion V got used from Ballistic 200 dollars reel all the way down to Legalis 50 dollars reel. Heavier than Zaion that you found in old ballistic/Tatula. The Luvias FC MQ still use old Zaion frame and Zaion rotor. This Zaion V is between DS5 and Zaion.

Just IMHO I don’t own the reel.

[Bass Rutten]

2 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

I have heard a lot of rumors about this reel. I don’t say it is not a good reel for under 150 but buying JDM reel is pretty risky too.

1. Rumors, buying MQ body you need special tool that would set you back 30-50 bucks, otherwise professional service only. 
2. The special tool for this model is not the same as Luvias MQ/Kage MQ.

3. Main gear of this reel is made from Zinc not aluminum like Ballistic or Tatula. Might not different much in beginning but overtime I’m not sure and definitely not the same class.

4. New Zaion material, this is still question a lot. Zaion V got used from Ballistic 200 dollars reel all the way down to Legalis 50 dollars reel. Heavier than Zaion that you found in old ballistic/Tatula. The Luvias FC MQ still use old Zaion frame and Zaion rotor. This Zaion V is between DS5 and Zaion.

Just IMHO I don’t own the reel.

I’m no machinist or metallurgist but I have read that zinc is tougher and more durable than aluminum and a better material for gears, just about on par with brass (a zinc/copper alloy) with its biggest downside being weight. It’s got a stigma because it’s used on lower end reels mainly for manufacturing efficiency and lower production costs. Also there are different grades of zinc, of course they claim it’s one of the better ones, who really knows? Between the huge gear size, magseal, and digigear technology I’m ok with the zinc and a professional servicing every few years. I don’t know the details on the zaion material.

[MickD]

12 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

A quick turn of the drag and I pull out some line is about the same amount of time and efficiency as flipping an anti-reverse switch.

And resetting the drag to the proper setting takes no time at all. . . 

 

I'm not that efficient, will stick with reels with switches. 

 

My reason for bringing this up wasn't meant to debate the merits of it, just to point out that some reels are now being made without them, and buyers should know to watch for it if they like the switch. 

[bulldog1935]

10 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

I’m no machinist or metallurgist but I have read that zinc is tougher and more durable than aluminum and a better material for gears, just about on par with brass (a zinc/copper alloy) with its biggest downside being weight. It’s got a stigma because it’s used on lower end reels mainly for manufacturing efficiency and lower production costs. Also there are different grades of zinc, of course they claim it’s one of the better ones, who really knows? Between the huge gear size, magseal, and digigear technology I’m ok with the zinc and a professional servicing every few years. I don’t know the details on the zaion material.

No you're not, and you heard wrong.  What you're missing is zinc gears are die cast, while both aluminum gears and brass gears are wrought alloys, broached and finish-machined.  They have fine texture strength and toughness from working the original billet that zinc gears lack.  The aluminum alloy is heat treated, then modern hard-anodized to a working depth.  It's cheaper to work fine gear teeth into aluminum than brass, and pretty much impossible in zinc die castings, plus zinc is not strong enough for fine gear teeth.  Fine efficient gear teeth spread the load, reduce the stress and negate wear.   So what you find is coarse teeth in die-cast zinc gears, often with poor contact efficiency, producing much earlier gear-teeth wear. 

Stainless steel is the most expensive to work, and the only alloy that improves (strengthens) under gear contact stress - this is why Stella uses stainless gears. 

 

microstructure of 7075 aluminum alloy next to a high-grade zinc die casting

[NYWayfarer]

2 hours ago, MickD said:

And resetting the drag to the proper setting takes no time at all. . . 

 

I'm not that efficient, will stick with reels with switches. 

 

My reason for bringing this up wasn't meant to debate the merits of it, just to point out that some reels are now being made without them, and buyers should know to watch for it if they like the switch. 

If it’s a spinning reel WITH a switch under $150 recommendation wanted then my choice would be the Abu Garcia Revo X 20 spinning reel. $99.00 

 

Aluminum frame, screw in handle, rocket casting spool, anti-reverse switch, smoother, all black paint job goes with any rod.

[Bass Rutten]

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

No you're not, and you heard wrong.  What you're missing is zinc gears are die cast, while both aluminum gears and brass gears are wrought alloys, broached and finish-machined.  They have fine texture strength and toughness from working the original billet that zinc gears lack.  The aluminum alloy is heat treated, then modern hard-anodized to a working depth.  It's cheaper to work fine gear teeth into aluminum than brass, and pretty much impossible in zinc die castings, plus zinc is not strong enough for fine gear teeth.  Fine efficient gear teeth spread the load, reduce the stress and negate wear.   So what you find is coarse teeth in die-cast zinc gears, often with poor contact efficiency, producing much earlier gear-teeth wear. 

Stainless steel is the most expensive to work, and the only alloy that improves (strengthens) under gear contact stress - this is why Stella uses stainless gears. 

 

microstructure of 7075 aluminum alloy next to a high-grade zinc die casting

So does that mean the ballistic is trash? Could the improved overall design features make up for an inferior gear material?

[bulldog1935]

Some wildass extrapolation to get to trash from high grade zinc die casting, but everything I posted is supported by sound engineering and professional license. 

 

Zinc die casting can produce a decent long-lasting reel under $100, but gear teeth wear will occur faster than in fine-teeth wrought gears. 

There seems to be a recurring theme that you don't gain anything by spending more money.  Earlier on the thread, I posted the best use of $150 for line management, cast distance, making the switch to braid, pushing reel performance, and design life.  OK, I agreed that @roadwarrior posted the link to that reel. 

[Bass Rutten]

27 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Some wildass extrapolation to get to trash from high grade zinc die casting

It was a question not a statement.

[garroyo130]

Is the ballistic zinc? 

 

 

[JustJames]

56 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Is the ballistic zinc? 

 

 

No, the Caldia is

[JustJames]

2 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

So does that mean the ballistic is trash? Could the improved overall design features make up for an inferior gear material?

Who mentioned Ballistic is trash? Man oh man!!!!

Daiwa Digigear with Zinc still better than a lot of brand out there. The only miss leading is you said Caldia is JDM equivalent of ballistic.

Im not sure if you ever heard of it, spinning reel become loose making more noise over time? Parts of it because of wear from Zinc gear and those hexagon handle.

 

[Bass Rutten]

1 hour ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

Who mentioned Ballistic is trash? Man oh man!!!!

Daiwa Digigear with Zinc still better than a lot of brand out there. The only miss leading is you said Caldia is JDM equivalent of ballistic.

I don’t know, did someone say it was? Is it not the equivalent? Both the mq ballistics and lt caldia have zinc main gear.

[JustJames]

1 minute ago, Bass Rutten said:

I don’t know, did someone say it was? Is it not the equivalent? Both the US and jdm mq ballistics have zinc main gear. 

Someone that would be me but I said

“3. Main gear of this reel is made from Zinc not aluminum like Ballistic or Tatula. Might not different much in beginning but overtime I’m not sure and definitely not the same class.”

so equivalent nope, it classed lower than even Tatula.
Daiwa is wired change a little bit of reel parts then adjust the price and called it another model.

[Bass Rutten]

I stand corrected.

[MickD]

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Some wildass extrapolation to get to trash from high grade zinc die casting, but everything I posted is supported by sound engineering and professional license. 

 Don't doubt what this man says.   He has a professional license.  

 

[Bass Rutten]

2 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

Is the ballistic zinc? 

 

 

The older 18 lt ballistic has aluminum main gear, the new 21 mq lt ballistic has zinc main gear, which is what I own and should have clarified in my previous comment about it being the equivelant to the caldia.

[garroyo130]

Does that Ballistic still use standard oscillation or worm drive? I was surprised that in the video above a reel at that price point doesnt have worm shaft oscillation.