Thoughts on this reel and if it’s a good buy

[Cbump]

I know almost nothing about Shimano (Daiwa guy). I’ve been offered this reel though for $85. Guy says It was bought in 2016. 
Chronarch 150HG CI4+
 

 

[softwateronly]

I've heard they're highly regarded, but have no personal experience.  Comfort was what I

remembered as the design highlight.  I'd definitely take a swing at that price if it wasn't wrong handed.

 

scott

[PhishLI]

It's good for the price. It's totally built out of CI4+, meaning it's Shimano's space age plastic. It also has the early SVS Infinity red brake blocks which, in this reel, can get zippy sounding quickly unless you stay on top of oiling the brake pipe. A good caster, but touchy to dial in if you switch lure weights often. Otherwise, it's typical Shimano SVS braking, if you understand what that means. Since you're primarily a Daiwa guy, you'll probably hate fiddling with it unless you just dial it in for one presentation, but maybe not. I take mine out occasionally to chuck jerkbaits, but only when I'm in the mood for self-flagellation. The best thing about it, IMO, is that the plastic frame is great for cold weather fishing., which is why I use it for jerkbaits. Unlike metal, it doesn't turn into an ice cube, and I hate a cold hand when I'm jerkin'.

[a1712]

I use 2 HG's as do everything/general purpose setups both mounted on 7'5" Zodias Hvy/Fast. They'll launch a bait into the next state, smooth, light, great at everything I ask of them. $85, if in good shape, is stealing. Brian. 

[Derek1]

If it’s in good working order I’d buy it. Then send it out to be cleaned. 

[Cbump]

6 hours ago, PhishLI said:

It's good for the price. It's totally built out of CI4+, meaning it's Shimano's space age plastic. It also has the early SVS Infinity red brake blocks which, in this reel, can get zippy sounding quickly unless you stay on top of oiling the brake pipe. A good caster, but touchy to dial in if you switch lure weights often. Otherwise, it's typical Shimano SVS braking, if you understand what that means. Since you're primarily a Daiwa guy, you'll probably hate fiddling with it unless you just dial it in for one presentation, but maybe not. I take mine out occasionally to chuck jerkbaits, but only when I'm in the mood for self-flagellation. The best thing about it, IMO, is that the plastic frame is great for cold weather fishing., which is why I use it for jerkbaits. Unlike metal, it doesn't turn into an ice cube, and I hate a cold hand when I'm jerkin'.

Hating fiddling with brakes is exactly why I’m not a Shimano guy! Lol. Bought a Curado last year just for the heck of It, got home, started playing with It and realized the brakes It had, and took It back to academy lol. 
Honestly, despite the price, I think I’ll pass on this reel. 

[Derek1]

5 minutes ago, Cbump said:

Hating fiddling with brakes is exactly why I’m not a Shimano guy! Lol. Bought a Curado last year just for the heck of It, got home, started playing with It and realized the brakes It had, and took It back to academy lol. 
Honestly, despite the price, I think I’ll pass on this reel. 

I find shimano breaks to be a set and forget type of thing. When I get them I put half on half off and never touch them again. 

[Hulkster]

agreed. I have a curado 200i that has the same red brakes and i never touch them. ever. 

 

I leave the cast dial set at 3, internals set to 2 on 2 off and i only ever touch the cast control knob 

[Cbump]

Add on question. If I drive the 45 minutes to go buy this reel for $85, could I resell It for say $130? 

[Deleted account]

7 hours ago, PhishLI said:

It's totally built out of CI4+, meaning it's Shimano's space age plastic.

LOL, Hagane much?...

[PhishLI]

3 hours ago, Cbump said:

If I drive the 45 minutes to go buy this reel for $85, could I resell It for say $130? 

Unlikely. Check the auction site for "completed sales" and "US Only". For some reason or another, Japanese sellers get a bit more.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Cbump said:

Add on question. If I drive the 45 minutes to go buy this reel for $85, could I resell It for say $130? 

 

Not on this forum now that everyone knows what you paid for it...

 

I would definitely take it for that price in your shoes.  Even if you put it on a backup rod or a rod you use less often, what else are you going to get for that price that you actually want to fish with?

[FishTank]

Good reel for that price. I would jump on it.

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

I find shimano breaks to be a set and forget type of thing.

I thought this about the old VBS in the E series. Just tweaked the spool tension occasionally on windy days, but with this particular reel I find myself dicking around with adjustments too much, especially with stiffer lines like fluoro and copoly. Not so much of an issue with straight braid, but I don't jerkbait with braid, and my jerkbait rod has micro guides, so no leader there. Otherwise, glad it works for you. I wish I loved mine, especially for the 50$ I paid for it. It was practically new when I snagged it.

1 hour ago, Hulkster said:

agreed. I have a curado 200i that has the same red brakes and i never touch them. ever. 

That isn't the same reel though. Mine came from a guy who had no desire to deal with managing it, and he owns Aldes and Mets. I can deal with it, so I use it sometimes, but I own other reels where I don't need to. I can set my brakes on 8-9 on a Tatula 150 and mindlessly cast for hours without a hiccup. Anything from flat casts to targets, to high arc casts for distance, and in the dark. No problemo. With this thing it'll throw up loops and fluff up unless I'm diligently minding the spool, even after it's dialed in. Maybe I'm just lazy, but meh.

[newapti5]

I'd add $20~30 and get the Chronarch MGL, it is pretty much the same reels with a better MGL spool.

 

[Cbump]

Yeah I am going to pass. I’ll be getting an Expride or GLX jig rod soon and need a reel though. Probably a jdm Zillion HD. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

25 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

I'd add $20~30 and get the Chronarch MGL, it is pretty much the same reels with a better MGL spool.

 

I thought the Chron MGL was AL?

The frame that is.

[newapti5]

19 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I thought the Chron MGL was AL?

The frame that is.

 

It's composite material as well, but with a different shiny paint job. It's got Micro Module Gears if that matters. 

[PhishLI]

2 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

It's composite material as well,

Yup.

CI4+ Baitcasting

CI4 is a Shimano original material reinforced with carbon fiber that is lighter and has a higher strength than conventional resin material. CI4+ is an advanced version of the original CI4 material and is 2.5x more rigid than its predecessor. While improving lightness and rigidity, reel bodies and rotors built with CI4+ are further reduced in size and weight.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

5 hours ago, newapti5 said:

 

It's composite material as well, but with a different shiny paint job. It's got Micro Module Gears if that matters. 

I knew the sideplate was a composite.  Not sure about ci4, but the chron mgl has a magnesium frame, not a carbon composite?  I knew they had AL framed reels around 7oz when the chron mgl was fairly new, i figured they saved 14gs with the sideplate, spool and swapped out plastic parts for metal. 

https://funcfish.com/shimano-chronarch-mgl-vs-curado-dc/#:~:text=The Shimano Chronarch,in any environment.

[newapti5]

16 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I knew the sideplate was a composite.  Not sure about ci4, but the chron mgl has a magnesium frame, not a carbon composite.  I knew they had AL framed reels around 7oz when the chron mgl was fairly new, i figured they saved 14gs with the sideplate, spool and swapped out plastic parts for metal. 

 

The spool is magnesium alloy, but I am pretty sure the frame is composite material. Otherwise I'd made a big mistake selling mine cheap. To get magnesium frame in Shimano reels, we'll have to reach Metanium or Aldebaran. There's a detailed TT review of Chronarch MGL several years back.

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

sorry, i tried posting the article i read that in, but it didnt work I had to edit the post to get it in.  The article also says the curado dc weighs 8.6 which is way off.  I had an chron mgl and sold mine as well.  I caught a couple stripers over 20lbs and for the most part it felt solid.  Thumbing the spool on the hookset it could get a little funny with blues and bass, but I attributed that to the composite sideplate.  The Met B def feels way better as far as rigidity and i like the way it palms much better.

[NavyToad]

I'm no Shimano fan, but I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[Tatulatard]

10 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I knew the sideplate was a composite.  Not sure about ci4, but the chron mgl has a magnesium frame, not a carbon composite?  I knew they had AL framed reels around 7oz when the chron mgl was fairly new, i figured they saved 14gs with the sideplate, spool and swapped out plastic parts for metal. 

https://funcfish.com/shimano-chronarch-mgl-vs-curado-dc/#:~:text=The Shimano Chronarch,in any environment.

Its plastic.  That site is full of crap.  There is no magnesium on the chronarch reels even the mgl.  Mgl stands for magnum lite spool which is shimano speak for "we put holes in a light weight spool" and it's these holes that allow for water intrusion into the spool bearings and reel innards following the spool shaft which is why it doesn't get a salt water rating.  

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

You are missing out on a very good reel. Mine with abec 7 bearings is set on one brake and never leaves that spot. Use it with ned rigs to whopper ploppers but fat ikas mostly and it casts those great.

Now dont know the condition of THAT reel but compared to my same year ChronarchCI4 Id say you wont get a better NEW reel under $200. Youll need the $250 Zillion from Japan website to match it. The drag is super smooth, like mentioned range of lures it handles is fantastic. Its also a reel that is Made in Japan another plus. Limiting factor will be the users abilities.