Steez A II vs Zillion

[Bandersnatch]

I know the zillion has been covered a million times but I’m considering the steez a II. I’m trying to figure out what I’m getting for the extra $300. 
 

They weigh the same 

They are both aluminum 

Both have the hyperdrive system 

 

steez A II has slightly more line capacity and mag seal.

 

What am I missing ?

 

I have four Steez sv ct  tw’s but they are unique. I’m trying to figure out what’s special here. smoother ? Smoother than the smooth zillion? 

[FishTank]

I have two of the new Steez A II, one of the Zillions and 1 Steez CT so......

 

The A II is everything that the Zillion is but just slightly better. They cast better, are a bit smoother, and seem to be more of a workhorse reel. Is it worth $300 more? Even though I like mine, I am going to say, no way. I bought both of mine from a JDM site and they were around $340 shipped. At that price, I am good with it.  

 

I do really like the CT though. It is just a fun, almost BFS reel but at the same time it can take on some big fish without issue. 

[Bandersnatch]

20 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I have two of the new Steez A II, one of the Zillions and 1 Steez CT so......

 

The A II is everything that the Zillion is but just slightly better. They cast better, are a bit smoother, and seem to be more of a workhorse reel. Is it worth $300 more? Even though I like mine, I am going to say, no way. I bought both of mine from a JDM site and they were around $340 shipped. At that price, I am good with it.  

 

I do really like the CT though. It is just a fun, almost BFS reel but at the same time it can take on some big fish without issue. 

CTs are great. I skip docks and throw them on moving baits on my 844. They just don’t have the line capability for bigger braid and flouro 

[LonnieP]

The Steez is only about $100 more than the Zillion if you order from Japan. Amazon has them for $327

[Kirtley Howe]

10 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

The Steez is only about $100 more if you order from Japan

"only about $100 more" is not in my vocabulary.

[LonnieP]

Just now, Kirtley Howe said:

"only about $100 more" is not in my vocabulary.

Yes but it’s a lot less than 300 more

[Kirtley Howe]

3 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

Yes but it’s a lot less than 300 more

If you don't have the $100, it is the same as $1000 more....<G>

[Jrob78]

I agree with @FishTank. I have a couple of each, plus a couple of the other Zillions variants, (JDM HD and Silverwolf). Performance wise, the Steez is a more refined version of the Zillion, in a different profile. I got mine from a JDM site and paid about $100 more for the Steez than the base Zillion. I love the Steez but the Zillion is a fantastic reel too. I actually like the Zillion HD more than the regular Zillion but all of them are great.

 

If money isn't an issue, the Steez is awesome, if you want to save a few bucks the Zillion and Zillion HD are also great.

 

Definitely check Digitaka, Japan Lure Shop, Asian Fishing Portal or one of the other JDM sites for a good deal and buy with confidence. 

[Bandersnatch]

1 hour ago, Jrob78 said:

I agree with @FishTank. I have a couple of each, plus a couple of the other Zillions variants, (JDM HD and Silverwolf). Performance wise, the Steez is a more refined version of the Zillion, in a different profile. I got mine from a JDM site and paid about $100 more for the Steez than the base Zillion. I love the Steez but the Zillion is a fantastic reel too. I actually like the Zillion HD more than the regular Zillion but all of them are great.

 

If money isn't an issue, the Steez is awesome, if you want to save a few bucks the Zillion and Zillion HD are also great.

 

Definitely check Digitaka, Japan Lure Shop, Asian Fishing Portal or one of the other JDM sites for a good deal and buy with confidence. 

Thanks , you say the steez is a different profile. Does that mean bigger/smaller ? Narrower/wider ?

 

 

[Rodney Smith]

I tried the Steez and didn’t like the the way it palms. It is too wide in my opinion. I also tried a Zillion. It is a really nice reel, but didn’t cast heavier lures as well as a Bantam. I am a Shimano guy and just like the smaller profile and longer casting. I’m sure the Diawa’s are a little more figuring and versatile for skipping, etc. If I were buying a Diawa again, it would be the Zillion.

[ska4fun]

10 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

I know the zillion has been covered a million times but I’m considering the steez a II. I’m trying to figure out what I’m getting for the extra $300. 
 

They weigh the same 

They are both aluminum 

Both have the hyperdrive system 

 

steez A II has slightly more line capacity and mag seal.

 

What am I missing ?

 

I have four Steez sv ct  tw’s but they are unique. I’m trying to figure out what’s special here. smoother ? Smoother than the smooth zillion? 

 For me, MagSeal is a downside, since the magnetic grease isn't easily accessible and daiwa wants to force users to send the reels to them.

[Bandersnatch]

Does anyone know if the new steez a is bigger or smaller than the zillion? 

[Jrob78]

6 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Thanks , you say the steez is a different profile. Does that mean bigger/smaller ? Narrower/wider ?

 

 

The Steez is a little wider at the front of the reel. They are very similar in size. They both fish and palm very comfortably to me. 

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Does anyone know if the new steez a is bigger or smaller than the zillion? 

Maybe this will help.

 

 

[Tatulatard]

The steez has the mag dial in a better location for frequent changes between casts.  You can just move your thumb while palming and make an adjustment for the next cast.  With the zillion you have to flip the reel over and move your hand position.  It also doesn't have as good as tactile feedback and is small with more of effort to turn.  I skip docks and fire off longer casts to the edge of further away docks as the wind blows my kayak past.  Various targets both close and far will present themselves and I am frequently scrolling that mag dial with my head on a swivel when working docks.  I much prefer the old mag dial location like on the steez a and all older platforms. 

[PhishLI]

14 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

With the zillion I have to flip the reel over and move your hand position.

Fixed that for you. I've never have had to flip it over to move the dial. I just slide my forefinger down and adjust it. Sometimes while I'm winding-in in anticipation of my next cast going straight into the wind.

[Tatulatard]

6 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Fixed that for you. I've never have had to flip it over to move the dial. I just slide my forefinger down and adjust it. Sometimes while I'm winding-in in anticipation of my next cast going straight into the wind.

This is what I am training my hand to do but the muscle memory is in the thumbs from years of doing this so the finger slips or moves to many clicks and then the thumb and reel flip takes over.  I won't be buying anymore of this platform until I know I can switch to this new dial position.  

[PhishLI]

19 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

I won't be buying anymore of this platform until I know I can switch to this new dial position.  

This will sound odd, but it turns out I often use my middle finger for this too while in the palming position. Just a slight rotation out of palming really. I just poked out a few quick casts and without thinking used the bird to rotate the dial. That's how much I don't think about it. Might be worth a try for you. This may feel less unnatural.

[Tatulatard]

2 hours ago, PhishLI said:

This will sound odd, but it turns out I often use my middle finger for this too while in the palming position. Just a slight rotation out of palming really. I just poked out a few quick casts and without thinking used the bird to rotate the dial. That's how much I don't think about it. Might be worth a try for you. This may feel less unnatural.

Ah the bird flipping finger.  I didn't think of that. That one trained to do one thing only but maybe it can learn so new tricks.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

13 hours ago, ska4fun said:

 For me, MagSeal is a downside, since the magnetic grease isn't easily accessible and daiwa wants to force users to send the reels to them.

I can’t for the life of figure out why they’re doing this unless the real goal is to discourage service altogether to sell replacements which may even be an unintended consequence. After the warranty period I’d service them as usual if they were mine but I don’t want to be on the hook for telling anyone else to do it. 

[PhishLI]

27 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I can’t for the life of figure out why they’re doing this

It seems this is about dual use in salt and fresh water where the big deal Magseal bearing is on the crankshaft sitting outside of the anti reverse bearing. If saltwater intrusion isn't a factor, then once the factory service warranty is up simply clean out the bearings and go back to normal. In the meantime, buyers don't have to worry about that for at least 5 years.

 

STEEZ Executive 5 Year Service / Warranty

• Executive Steez 5 Year Service Warranty Against Manufacturing Defects
• FREE 5 Year Clean and Service
• 1 Business Day clean and service upon arrival to our Daiwa Service Department
• Expedited Service Pending Parts Availability
• FREE Expedited Return Shipping (2nd Day Air or Priority Mail)  

[ska4fun]

16 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I can’t for the life of figure out why they’re doing this unless the real goal is to discourage service altogether to sell replacements which may even be an unintended consequence. After the warranty period I’d service them as usual if they were mine but I don’t want to be on the hook for telling anyone else to do it. 

But you are right. They are discouraging diy service. MagSeal is ***, just magnetic grease hold by specific ferromagnetic plates in the reel internal parts. Magsealed bearing are a whole new situation.

[Bandersnatch]

On 5/19/2023 at 9:39 PM, LonnieP said:

The Steez is only about $100 more than the Zillion if you order from Japan. Amazon has them for $327

Find me a 7 ratio left for anywhere around there and I’ll buy it ? I wish I could find one ? 

[Jrob78]

1 hour ago, Bandersnatch said:

Find me a 7 ratio left for anywhere around there and I’ll buy it ? I wish I could find one ? 

Digitaka is a little more but fast, free shipping, JLS is cheaper but you will pay shipping and a PayPal conversion fee

https://www.digitaka.com/items/4/4/2/STEEZ+A+II

https://japanlureshop.com/daiwa-23-steez-a-ii-tw.html