Shimano SVS brakes: why not engage all brake blocks?

[jimanchower]

I own a few current-production Metaniums and Aldebarans and for as long as I've had them I've fished them with two (of four) brake blocks engaged, and with the external dial typically set in the 3-5 range. My simplistic understanding of these controls is that the number of blocks engaged affects braking based on surface area, while the dial determines how much pressure is applied by moving the braking surface in or out. Taking that a step further, I look at the engagement or disengagement of brake blocks as controlling how sensitive the dial is. Is this generally correct, or am I missing something?

 

This leads me to my question: If all blocks engaged and the dial at its minimum gives me less braking than I ever want to use, why wouldn't I run it this way, giving myself maximum adjustability via the external dial?

[garroyo130]

I think that would work if the brake drum or whatever the blocks ride on was not tapered. The fact that it's tapered gives you extremely crappy adjustability with all 4 blocks engaged. Better options is just keep it at 2. Never seen the need to use more. 

[Chris Catignani]

Typically the brakes are for adjusting the spool for the first part of the cast and the tension knob is for the end of the cast.

All this adjusting is to give you a longer non backlashing cast...but not every one fishes that way...ie if all you did was pitch with a specific rod and reel the setup would be different.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The dial is just extra adjustability for the centrifugal brake. For me personally it’s unnecessary. I liked the old 3 on 3 off set it and forget it system but that’s me. If you turn all 4 tabs on you’ll have stronger braking active dial settings. If you’re heaving non aerodynamic baits maybe that’s what you want. Whatever the case don’t overthink it. More tabs and more dial = more braking. 
 

and by their nature centrifugal brakes have little to no impact at the end of the cast where as spool tension is static. 

[casts_by_fly]

I understand what you're asking and if 4 blocks on and a 1 on the dial gives you all of the distance you can ever want without backlashes then go for it.  You can then dial it up with the dial to fine tune if you get an odd bait.  I've done the same on a couple of my reels and it works fine.  I know I'm leaving a little casting distance on the table and occasionally I'll pop the reel open and adjust a block/brake/pin to prove it.  The only time absolute max distance matters for me is crankbaits.

[dodgeguy]

3 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

Typically the tension knob is for adjusting the spool for the first part of the cast and the brakes are for the end of the cast.

All this adjusting is to give you a longer non backlashing cast...but not every one fishes that way...ie if all you did was pitch with a specific rod and reel the setup would be different.

wrong. centrifugal works at front of the cast.tension is during entire cast as is regular magnets.

[Mike L]

Centrifugal brakes limits the speed of the spool as it starts at the initial movement. 
 

Magnetic brakes kicks in approximately mid cast to slow the spool to the last turn. 
 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

[rudderless]

Well..centrifugal force is the square of the velocity...so the faster spool spins the more force is applied.

 

Don't know the force curve of mag brakes but it is probably more linear than centrifugal brakes..

 

I think those pins are constant spool drag just like the axial spool tension adj..no way they are centrifugal brakes..My 1996 sm3000c has centrifugal brakes..weight that spins with spool against a drum.

 

Someone with proper measuring device needs to quantify the various drag curves.. might help folx set the adjustments properly.

 

 

[Chris Catignani]

2 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

wrong. centrifugal works at front of the cast.tension is during entire cast as is regular magnets.

I always get those swapped...

[Fishingmickey]

Jim,

     I've found with my Shimano JDM Scorpins and I think one of my Met's using all four brake tabs on really worked well and no noticeable difference in casting distance but big difference in professional overruns. I do fish with IMHO with very little braking and I was two on two off for years.

Fishingmickey