JDM Zillion or Tatula SV 70?

[MontclairDave]

JDM Zillion, $238. Tatula SV 70 $230. Which one would you buy for 1/4-3/4 ounce baits (finesse jig, cranks, light T-rigs, etc.)?

 

I already have a Zillion 8.6; this next reel definitely a slower gear ratio.

 

This would be for use on Dobyns Kaden 713C.

[NorthernBasser]

Most will probably say Zillion, just because it is a better reel and you're getting it at a steep discount. 

 

I don't have a Zillion...yet. But I do have 2 of the 70's and like them a lot. They are really small, so if you have giant mitts you may not like the? I'd say I have average size hands and that thing just disappears in them. I find them very comfortable to fish with. 

[Bigbox99]

Why would you buy a Tatula 70 SV at full retail?  

[FrnkNsteen]

If you are considering JDM,... I would throw the Alphas SV in the mix too, especially if you are thinking you want something for the lighter range of baits.

 

I like my Alphas SV about as much as my Zillion,... In fact, I probably fish it more!

[J Francho]

Zillion

[Texas Flood]

Zillion for sure. Ive fished with two different Tatula's and I was not a fan of either. 

[JediAmoeba]

I have both but the Tatula 70 I have is the Asian market Salamandura model. Both are very nice reels but you can get the Salamandura for about 140 off Ali Express. It's legit and not that the US market has a model the price will probably go up and they will be harder to get.

 

For the price you can't go wrong with the SV 70 reel but the Zillion is a hair smoother.

2 minutes ago, Texas Flood said:

Zillion for sure. Ive fished with two different Tatula's and I was not a fan of either. 

There are many differences between the Tatulas. The newer models have Aluminum sideplates and are leaps and bounds smoother. There are so many iterations of the Tatula, it gets a bit confusing. SV, HD, different years, different sizes, the old 100 size is the new 150 and 200 frame... 

 

 

The Tatula sv70 is 6.7 Oz and the Zillion is 6.3 Oz. Also, the Asian market Salamandura has a drag clicker, the US sv 70 does not.  Both reels are very close to the same size

 

[KP Duty]

2 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

I have both but the Tatula 70 I have is the Asian market Salamandura model. Both are very nice reels but you can get the Salamandura for about 140 off Ali Express. It's legit and not that the US market has a model the price will probably go up and they will be harder to get.

 

For the price you can't go wrong with the SV 70 reel but the Zillion is a hair smoother.

There are many differences between the Tatulas. The newer models have Aluminum sideplates and are leaps and bounds smoother. There are so many iterations of the Tatula, it gets a bit confusing. SV, HD, different years, different sizes, the old 100 size is the new 150 and 200 frame... 

 

 

The Tatula sv70 is 6.7 Oz and the Zillion is 6.3 Oz. Also, the Asian market Salamandura has a drag clicker, the US sv 70 does not.  Both reels are very close to the same size

 

The Salamandura is nice, but why did they name it that?! 

[JediAmoeba]

5 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

The Salamandura is nice, but why did they name it that?! 

It's a translation thing- if you look the salamandura has a fire dragon on it(hence the red). A more apt translation would probably be Dragon. 

 

Every country has nuances to the marketing. Apparently we won't buy baitcasters with drag clickers.

[FishTank]

Zillion would be my choice. 

[Bass Rutten]

The zillion is made in Japan and offers better build quality and tolerances vs made in Malaysia reels. If you're looking at the 70 because you want compact and low profile you can get a jdm Alphas svtw (free floating spool) cheaper than the tatula 70, a complete no brainer in my book.

[king fisher]

Do not buy a Zillion.  I was very happy and successful fishing with my Tatula reels.  Then I lost a reel, and needed to replace it.  I found a good deal on a Zillion so I gave in to the Monkey and bought one.  

 

I am no longer happy with my Tatula's.  I wake up every morning with the monkey screaming buy more Zillions in my ear.  Every time I fish with the Zillion, I start thinking how nice it would be if all my reels were Zillions.  There is nothing wrong with my Tatula's.  They cast well, have good drags and catch fish with zero problems.  The Zillion does not catch more fish for me, or help my fishing in any practical way, but after fishing with my Zillion, I don't want to fish with my Tatula's any more.  I wish I had never gone down that road.  When it comes to more expensive reels, I now believe ignorance is bliss.

[MiceNReets]

11 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Do not buy a Zillion.  I was very happy and successful fishing with my Tatula reels.  Then I lost a reel, and needed to replace it.  I found a good deal on a Zillion so I gave in to the Monkey and bought one.  

 

I am no longer happy with my Tatula's.  I wake up every morning with the monkey screaming buy more Zillions in my ear.  Every time I fish with the Zillion, I start thinking how nice it would be if all my reels were Zillions.  There is nothing wrong with my Tatula's.  They cast well, have good drags and catch fish with zero problems.  The Zillion does not catch more fish for me, or help my fishing in any practical way, but after fishing with my Zillion, I don't want to fish with my Tatula's any more.  I wish I had never gone down that road.  When it comes to more expensive reels, I now believe ignorance is bliss.

it’s a long road of happiness and misery.   Happy you have a zillion but miserable that you need to buy more.    I’ve travelled this road.  I have 5 zillions now and really it isn’t necessary.   

[Bigbox99]

2 hours ago, king fisher said:

Do not buy a Zillion.  I was very happy and successful fishing with my Tatula reels.  Then I lost a reel, and needed to replace it.  I found a good deal on a Zillion so I gave in to the Monkey and bought one.  

 

I am no longer happy with my Tatula's.  I wake up every morning with the monkey screaming buy more Zillions in my ear.  Every time I fish with the Zillion, I start thinking how nice it would be if all my reels were Zillions.  There is nothing wrong with my Tatula's.  They cast well, have good drags and catch fish with zero problems.  The Zillion does not catch more fish for me, or help my fishing in any practical way, but after fishing with my Zillion, I don't want to fish with my Tatula's any more.  I wish I had never gone down that road.  When it comes to more expensive reels, I now believe ignorance is bliss.

The Tatula 80 and 70 feel  Zillion like in how smooth and solid they are.  The 80 is like $114 and the one to get if skipping is not a priority.  The newest Tatula 100 also looks impressive with a similar solid construction and hyper gears.  The going rate on those is approaching $100.  

[MontclairDave]

2 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Do not buy a Zillion.  I was very happy and successful fishing with my Tatula reels.  Then I lost a reel, and needed to replace it.  I found a good deal on a Zillion so I gave in to the Monkey and bought one.  

 

I am no longer happy with my Tatula's.  I wake up every morning with the monkey screaming buy more Zillions in my ear.  Every time I fish with the Zillion, I start thinking how nice it would be if all my reels were Zillions.  There is nothing wrong with my Tatula's.  They cast well, have good drags and catch fish with zero problems.  The Zillion does not catch more fish for me, or help my fishing in any practical way, but after fishing with my Zillion, I don't want to fish with my Tatula's any more.  I wish I had never gone down that road.  When it comes to more expensive reels, I now believe ignorance is bliss.

Ha! I hear you. As noted I already have one and love it. Wish I had gotten a slightly slower gear ratio, so that it’s a bit more of an all-rounder. Lots to think about based on Tatula feedback. Will report back my decision! 

[waymont]

I'd get a Zillion

[PBBrandon]

Zillion or Alphas

 

Ive had a Tatula 70 and both reels are a lot better. Not saying the 70 is a bad reel, it’s very good.

 

Its just not a Zillion or an Alphas

[webertime]

Zillion by a mile.

[LonnieP]

Zillion. None of the Tatulas are in the same league as the Zillion

[Columbia Craw]

I own both.  Zillion

[JediAmoeba]

I have two of the 21 zillions and they arent a mile ahead of a Tatula SV 70. I have my Tat 70 on an old Seth Feider Jerkbait rod and a 21 Zillion on the updated Seth Feider Jerkbait rod and its a toss up to me. Both are similar in ergonomics and both cast very well. 

 

I don't think the extra $100 the Zillion costs (Salamandura is about 130 on Ali Express and Zillion is about 230 from Japan) is equal to the performance upgrade. I still use a few of the old zillions and love my old tat sv's for the bulk of fishing. 🤷‍♂️

[NorthernBasser]

10 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

It's a translation thing- if you look the salamandura has a fire dragon on it(hence the red). A more apt translation would probably be Dragon. 

 

 

I believe it's a salamander/fire belly newt (native to China and Japan). 

36 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

Both are similar in ergonomics and both cast very well. 

 

 

The Zillion is as small as the 70? Or isn't that what you mean? 

[JediAmoeba]

6 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

The Zillion is as small as the 70? Or isn't that what you mean

Yes, the Zillion and 70 are just about the same size. 

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

I have two zillions - a 6.3 for shallow and medium cranks and a 7.1 for spinnerbaits - and I just added a tatula sv70. Hard to argue against a zillion so if the price difference doesn’t push you away get it. They’re so smooth and fun to cast. I will say this though - I just got the tatula (my first one) and took it out the other day just to make sure I have it set up properly. I was extremely impressed and just wanted to keep casting it. I don’t have much time on it yet but I really look forward to putting it to use. Now enjoy the zillion you’re about to buy haha!

[MontclairDave]

On 3/11/2024 at 12:27 PM, Bass Rutten said:

The zillion is made in Japan and offers better build quality and tolerances vs made in Malaysia reels. If you're looking at the 70 because you want compact and low profile you can get a jdm Alphas svtw (free floating spool) cheaper than the tatula 70, a complete no brainer in my book.

A bit confusing on Digitaka site which model you mean. Can you send me link? Thanks