Are JDM Reels And Rods Still A Good Buy At This Moment?

[ghost]

Hey Y'all,

 

Should be getting tax refund in the next few weeks and I'm a itchin' to go to the dark side and get a JDM reel or 2.

 

I know a couple months ago buying JDM was less expensive than buying USDM reels, but is that still true now?

[casts_by_fly]

Yes, but the fx is changing. It was 140 a couple months ago. It’s now 130 or so. A zillion was $225 in the fall. It’s now $255. The USDM version is $369.  Still plenty of bargain, and still a very good buy.  But not for long. 

[cheezyridr]

if i buy jdm stuff,  i usually look here first   https://www.digitaka.com

 

for me, i usually go for features first.

if the only way i can get the features i want, with the appropriate level of quality - is to buy jdm, then i will.  but if i can get it here, like tackle warehouse or something,  it's usually quicker.  not always, but usually.   digitaka has prices in usd available, so if a comparable item is listed somewhere else, it makes it easy to check who's cheaper, just don't forget to allow for shipping.  the last jdm reel i bought was a daiwa bfs reel a few years ago.  i have to say though, it's a great reel, and serves me well

[ATA]

yes they ate still cheap.

[T-Billy]

5 hours ago, cheezyridr said:

if i buy jdm stuff,  i usually look here first   https://www.digitaka.com

X2

[bulldog1935]

I've been shopping Japan 20 years.  

I always considered Japan shopping to be a good buy when it was more than JY 100 to the dollar.  The current exchange rate is JY 132 to US$.  

All Japan is still on sale for 20% off.  

 

Edited February 8, 2023 by bulldog1935
this thread needed a photo

[redmeansdistortion]

Keep in mind when using PayPal, they have their own exchange rate which is typically about 4% more than the market rate.  One way to avoid this is to use a credit card with no currency conversion fee.  If you do use one without the currency conversion fee, you're looking at a 7% to 10% fee dependent on the terms of the card.

[scbassin]

Yes. I all my DC reels are JPN they have IDC5 instead of the IDC4. In the last couple of weeks I have purchase a Bantam & a Metanium & saved a good bit. I used Digitaka They have free shipping & I had the reels in my hand in 4 days, you can't beat that.

[MN Fisher]

As Bulldog said - if the exchange rate is more than 100yen to the dollar, JDM is less expensive.

 

This past fall I picked up 2 Tatula 100s, a Miravel 2500 and an Ultegra 1000 - all from Digitaka and final price was 20%-30% under USDM prices (before tax and shipping...which Digitaka doesn't charge)

 

And like Cheesy said - features are important - JDM was the only place I could find that Miravel in 5:1 gear ratio (29IPT) - USDM only sells the 6:1 (36IPT) and I didn't want one that fast.

[GregN]

MN Fisher.. How do you like the Miravel? I understand that reel doesn't have a line guide roller.  Does that have any type of discernable  negative effect (line twist) when the reel is laying line on the spool? Tx Greg

[bulldog1935]

@GregN

line roller

 

                 

[Derek1]

6 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@GregN

line roller

 

That’s a pretty sharp looking reel

[bulldog1935]

this is the part that matters..........................vs.

[GregN]

My bad...tx for the clarification. I thought I saw a video review where it was mentioned it didn't hv one.  It struck me as odd.  Guess I shoudnt believe everything on the triple W?.   

 

Is this reel a good value?  I know it's a newer model. 

Tx Greg

 

 

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, GregN said:

Is this reel a good value?  I know it's a newer model. 

Every review I've seen on it has praised it...I've only bench-tested it so far.

 

Get it from Digitaka and it's a great value - currently $115 with no tax or shipping...Yen is getting stronger, I paid $105 for mine a couple months ago.

[bulldog1935]

@GregN

Whether Miravel is a good buy depends on how hard and long you use the reel.  

It has broached wrought alloy gears, which is a step up from die-cast gears in this class (though not fine-teeth "micromodule II" gears).  

It has the same labyrinth seals plus longer spool pitch used in Shimano worm drive reels.  

If you're bowled over by out-of-box smooth and light weight, it has composite frame, which adds to the cost. 

Interesting that the short/sharp stem/knee people complain about on Shimano CI4+ reels has gained a marketing name 

Shimano added needed geometric stiffness; otherwise, the intrinsic MOC comes up short, but they're able to market it as a bonus.  

JDM Stradic at $150 gets you alloy frame and worm drive.  

 

Since I fish the salt, and come from long-use Tica in locomotive drive with long spool pitch, and Tica also makes Daiwa's reels in this class, that's where I lean for tough (and better line roller).   But even TackleAdvisors, who's a self-stated Daiwa fan, gives the edge to Shimano in worm-drive reels.  

[jigheadworm]

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

@GregN

Whether Miravel is a good buy depends on how hard and long you use the reel.  

It has broached wrought alloy gears, which is a step up from die-cast gears in this class (though not fine-teeth "micromodule II" gears).  

It has the same labyrinth seals plus longer spool pitch used in Shimano worm drive reels.  

If you're bowled over by out-of-box smooth and light weight, it has composite frame, which adds to the cost. 

Interesting that the short/sharp stem/knee people complain about on Shimano CI4+ reels has gained a marketing name 

Ultegra gets you forged alloy frame. 

JDM Stradic at $150 gets you alloy frame and worm drive.  

 

Since I fish the salt, and come from long-use Tica in locomotive drive with long spool pitch, and Tica also makes Daiwa's reels in this class, that's where I lean for tough (and better line roller).   But even TackleAdvisors, who's a self-stated Daiwa fan, gives the edge to Shimano in worm-drive reels.  

The new ultegras are ci4+ frame and have worm drive

[bulldog1935]

@jigheadworm yeah, I haven't been in that market over 2 years.  My buddy has the last Ultegra and has fished it hard in the salt that long. 

[KP Duty]

I think I have developed a method to determine this.  Look up item on Tackle warehouse and note price.  Now look up the same item on Digitaka.  If TW price is lower, the answer is no.  If TW price is higher, the answer is yes.  I'm a mind ninja....

 

[GregN]

5 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

@GregN

Whether Miravel is a good buy depends on how hard and long you use the reel.  

It has broached wrought alloy gears, which is a step up from die-cast gears in this class (though not fine-teeth "micromodule II" gears).  

It has the same labyrinth seals plus longer spool pitch used in Shimano worm drive reels.  

If you're bowled over by out-of-box smooth and light weight, it has composite frame, which adds to the cost. 

Interesting that the short/sharp stem/knee people complain about on Shimano CI4+ reels has gained a marketing name 

Shimano added needed geometric stiffness; otherwise, the intrinsic MOC comes up short, but they're able to market it as a bonus.  

JDM Stradic at $150 gets you alloy frame and worm drive.  

 

Since I fish the salt, and come from long-use Tica in locomotive drive with long spool pitch, and Tica also makes Daiwa's reels in this class, that's where I lean for tough (and better line roller).   But even TackleAdvisors, who's a self-stated Daiwa fan, gives the edge to Shimano in worm-drive reels.  

Tx for the insight, appreciated.  Since you mention Daiwa, how does the JDM Daiwa Caldia stack up to the Miravel in terms of quality.  The Caldia seems to have a good reputation from the posts I've read on this site. 

TX Greg. 

[bulldog1935]

@GregN 

Hi Greg, they sure stack up side-by side at the same price point.  

My thought, the Daiwa will be tougher, both will have similar line management and, as always, the Shimano will be smoother.  If you're fishing light, you'll probably like the Shimano better.  If you're fishing hard, the Daiwa will likely keep its performance longer.  

I fished this little Tica - smaller than anything that Daiwa offers - in salt finesse for 7 years of hard fishing.  However, I have the same niche filled now with Stradic 1000S for threadline braid.  

 

@newapti5 I think you should cite a reference for that screen shot.  

Otherwise, we don't believe them.  

[newapti5]

So...nothing