Abu Garcia Zenon X, MGX, MGLTX

[Mojo Bass]

Does anyone on here own any of these baitcasting reels or have any experience with them? 
 

I’m not interested in buying any of them personally just curious what people’s thoughts on them are and if anyone has any real experience with them

 

Thanks

[RipzLipz]

Before I start, I’m brand loyal & have never had a reason to try other brands. Abu has been good to me since I began using low profile casting reels. Others may have different opinions but I am fine with what I choose to buy & use for the type of fishing I do. By no means am I touting these as the best reels. They suit me for what I do. No, they aren’t what I’d call budget or affordable but, as humbly as I can put it, I’m blessed that isn’t at the top of my list of concerns at this point in my life - I worked hard to get to that point so I spoiled myself a bit.

 

With that said, I own both MG-LTX & MGX reels. Both are comfortable to palm, comfortable handle grips, super lightweight & IVCB-4 braking is awesome in my opinion. Very smooth casting reels when you get them properly dialed in. With the right rod, one can cast very light lures with these reels but for me, that’s not something about which I’m concerned but I do know some anglers are into finesse casting so it is worth mentioning.

 

My biggest dislike with either reel is that the MGX has a clicking drag. It’s not the live bait type with a on/off switch either. Would have been fine with the on/off switch but whatever reason, Abu decided to make just that particular model click. Just feel it’s unnecessary. The reel performs just fine though. I honestly preferred the Revo MGX2 generation but the Zenon MGX performs equally well - just the clicker is a bit odd to me.

 

Drag may be a bit light for some, with the LTX coming in at 11lb max. & MGX at 15lb max. I live in IN & while we do have DD bass, that pales in comparison with our more southern neighbors but that aspect with max drag suits me just fine. I don’t necessarily want my drag locked down anyway - just personal preference.

 

Between the two models, there’s not much obvious differences other than the clicking drag, appearances & maybe the weight. They come in different gear ratios, with the LTX only being offered in 8.3:1 & the MGX in 6.8:1 & also 8.3:1. I use the LTX for all my jigging & worm fishing. MGX 6.8:1 would be anything else except maybe deep cranking & umbrella rigging as I prefer something with a lower gear ratio, like under 6:1.

 

If I’m not hitting a point about which you’re wondering, feel free to ask.

[roadwarrior]

Great reply!

 

 

 

                                                        

[RipzLipz]

36 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Great reply!

 

 

 

                                                        

@roadwarrior - Thank you. LTXs are paired with Dobyns Xtasy rods. I feel the jigs falling through branches (twigs) at the ends of laydowns. Love the setup 🤌🤌🤌

[Mojo Bass]

1 hour ago, RipzLipz said:

Before I start, I’m brand loyal & have never had a reason to try other brands. Abu has been good to me since I began using low profile casting reels. Others may have different opinions but I am fine with what I choose to buy & use for the type of fishing I do. By no means am I touting these as the best reels. They suit me for what I do. No, they aren’t what I’d call budget or affordable but, as humbly as I can put it, I’m blessed that isn’t at the top of my list of concerns at this point in my life - I worked hard to get to that point so I spoiled myself a bit.

 

With that said, I own both MG-LTX & MGX reels. Both are comfortable to palm, comfortable handle grips, super lightweight & IVCB-4 braking is awesome in my opinion. Very smooth casting reels when you get them properly dialed in. With the right rod, one can cast very light lures with these reels but for me, that’s not something about which I’m concerned but I do know some anglers are into finesse casting so it is worth mentioning.

 

My biggest dislike with either reel is that the MGX has a clicking drag. It’s not the live bait type with a on/off switch either. Would have been fine with the on/off switch but whatever reason, Abu decided to make just that particular model click. Just feel it’s unnecessary. The reel performs just fine though. I honestly preferred the Revo MGX2 generation but the Zenon MGX performs equally well - just the clicker is a bit odd to me.

 

Drag may be a bit light for some, with the LTX coming in at 11lb max. & MGX at 15lb max. I live in IN & while we do have DD bass, that pales in comparison with our more southern neighbors but that aspect with max drag suits me just fine. I don’t necessarily want my drag locked down anyway - just personal preference.

 

Between the two models, there’s not much obvious differences other than the clicking drag, appearances & maybe the weight. They come in different gear ratios, with the LTX only being offered in 8.3:1 & the MGX in 6.8:1 & also 8.3:1. I use the LTX for all my jigging & worm fishing. MGX 6.8:1 would be anything else except maybe deep cranking & umbrella rigging as I prefer something with a lower gear ratio, like under 6:1.

 

If I’m not hitting a point about which you’re wondering, feel free to ask.

Thank you for the thoughtful reply that is good information 

[RipzLipz]

21 minutes ago, CanadianPowerFishin said:

Thank you for the thoughtful reply that is good information 

@CanadianPowerFishin - No problem bud. Am curious if the Zenon X would fall into the same general area as the 2 models I mentioned. I imagine it’s a bit heavier since it has an aluminum frame compared to the LTX & MGX, which I believe are magnesium frames. They are super light - LTX listed at 4.7oz & MGX at 5.1oz on TWarehouse site.

 

I forgot to mention they also come with a zippered storage case, as I think all the Zenon models do. Not crush proof but fairly nice. No reel lubricants though, which is a first for Abu baitcasters in my experience.

[A kid from Canada]

Could you tell me how the frame compares to a Revo4 SX and a Revo5 Winch? The Revo 4 is a very wide reel, in my hand atleast but they did a great job of making the 5th Gen more palmable. The main thing keeping me from buying the Zenon is it potentialy not being comfortable to hold. 

[RipzLipz]

2 hours ago, A kid from Canada said:

Could you tell me how the frame compares to a Revo4 SX and a Revo5 Winch? The Revo 4 is a very wide reel, in my hand atleast but they did a great job of making the 5th Gen more palmable. The main thing keeping me from buying the Zenon is it potentialy not being comfortable to hold. 

Never held a Revo SX, so I cannot speculate on that particular reel. To me, they’re just as comfortable as the Revo MGX2, which would be similar to a Gen4 frame, I believe. I would think the Gen5 Revo Winch you mentioned would be a comparable fit, if you’ve had a chance to actually hold one. Based on appearances alone, each generation seems to be similar in size & shape so I would assume they’d all palm similarly from one model to another in the same generation. I’m not a tall person & I do not have large hands & they fit my mitts just fine. Here is a Gen4 MGX2 (black) side by side with a Gen5 MG-LTX (silver).

Using digital calipers, I measured the widths (parallel to spool) & they were both around 2.41 inches across (near tension knob area & across to peak of dial). The redesigned side plate is much narrower at the front & upper portion of the reel (area marked in red - much narrower) and swells where the brake adjustment dial is located. It’s also a bit longer, front to back so the line guide is further from the spool which is intended to give extra casting distance.

 

To me, it’s slightly more comfortable, more naturally fitting to the hand with the new design. It’s not wider by any means. I could care less about casting distance - lure weight & rod selection can impact that ability as well as one angler to another, in my opinion. It casts just fine if you know how to properly adjust the tension & brake controls, as should any baitcaster on the market that is worth a darn. Casting accuracy puts more fish in my boat & these reels aren’t intended to be your long lining crankers with which you’d want to bomb a lure in most cases - that’s the Winch’s job in my opinion.

You didn’t ask, but the reel handles do not feel like foam EVA. They feel more rubbery but unsure from what material they’re made. Softer than the previous generation for sure. I like them much more.

 

Like I said in my first response above, these are expensive reels. There may be better reels out there & everyone has their own opinion on that sort of thing & I’m not here for debating or defending my choices. I’ve not had a single issue with any of these reels, own close to a dozen (mostly Gen4 MGX) & they’ve been bulletproof for me, even with a few having been purchased on eBay. However, I’m not going to tell you or anyone else to buy one. That’s a lot of money for a reel, I know. But I have absolutely no reason to consider replacing any of them with another brand or model reel. I hope these last me decades & am passing some of my Gen3 & Gen4 off to my son in hopes they serve him just as well as they did me.

 

I’ve done a bit of quick research on these newer Gen5 Revos & would urge you to watch out for frames that are not listed as alloy, should you set your sights on the more affordable models. They will use all sorts of fancy terms to describe the frame material & unless it says alloy in there, I’d stay away from it. This usually means it’s carbon or something composite & not metal-based & I’d hate for someone to buy a reel & have it crack. Much less likely to happen with a metal based frame. I also prefer the reels with IVCB brakes, as you never have to remove the side plate to switch magnets off & on like with the Infini types & for me, cast like a dream. Warning, the Zenon X model does NOT have IVCB - it’s Infini braking.

 

Sorry for the long post but I’m trying to be as descriptive & helpful as possible. Don’t drop the money on these if you have any reservations. At the very least, handle one of the Gen5 reels before doing so if that is your biggest concern. I hope you’re able to get one, but more importantly I hope you get any reel that suits you & your fishing style & strengths whether it’s an Abu Zenon or not.

 

Keep me posted & as always, ask if you have additional questions.👍

[dodgeguy]

 I had an mgx. Loved the lightness until it turned into a coffee grinder. I've heard that magnesium and composite frames tend to transfer gear issues more than aluminum. So Lew

S came out with the custom lite which is supposed to be a ultra hard frame. So far I've had no issues after 2 seasons. My mgx was first Gen so I can't comment on the newer ones.