Worth it?

[Brett's_daddy]

I’m looking at an almost new 2020 Shimano Metanium B MGL 151 HG. The guy wants $310 for it. From his pictures it looks near mint. He said he bought it in December 2023 and he only fished it a couple of times. His reason for selling is he just bought a 2024 Metanium DC and he already has 4 Metanium’s so one has to go. I offered him $295 for it but he said the lowest he’d go is $310 (his asking price was $320) because it’s in nearly new condition and was $450 new. Worth it?

[FishTank]

Nope. You can order a new one from Japan for around $250 or less.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Outstanding reel, but no reason IMO to pay that much for a used 1.  The JDM is a 100 instead of a 150 and the handles are a little shorter, but it's the same reel.  

[Brett's_daddy]

4 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Nope. You can order a new one from Japan for around $250 or less.

But they are 70 size, with smaller spools and handles. It would cost $65 for a bigger YS size spool and another $20 for the bigger handle and at that point you’d be at $310+.

[FishTank]

@Brett's_daddy

 

   The body appears to be the same size as I have both, one from the US and one from Japan.  The spool size is smaller but the handle I think is only larger on the XG model. 

 

I think the 100 JDM would be the compromise. 

 

[Bigbox99]

For $310 it better be like new with box.  You can get the USDM 150 for $370 new on Aliexpress.

 

[FishTank]

Also checked the spool size and I thought the JDM was smaller but it's the same size as the US. Both hold a 110 yards of 12lb FC, the JDM version says 100 meters on the box.

[Brett's_daddy]

Is Aliexpress trustworthy? I just saw it on there for $336.

[new2BC4bass]

13 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Is Aliexpress trustworthy? I just saw it on there for $336.

I've purchased rods and reels from them.  No problems yet.

[NorthernBasser]

16 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Is Aliexpress trustworthy? I just saw it on there for $336.

For sure. And you usually get them earlier than what the initial delivery date says. For me it takes around 6-7 days.

 

Some legit sellers I've bought from are ABCSPIDER Store, West Door Fishing Tackle, Krazi Reel Fishing Tackle, WHSTD. 

 

There's also usually codes you can find online for an extra $20-$30 off or so.

[OkobojiEagle]

Hard and fast rule for myself... I won't pay more than I can afford to lose on any "sight un-seen" product.

[JN94]

I have bought a handful of high end reels (metanium, bantam, steez) now and have come to the conclusion that for me, they aren't worth it. They are beautiful and fun to fish with, but the upgrade is so marginal for me vs a Curado or similar ~$200 reel. If you are a true enthusiast who just absolutely cannot live without fishing the best of the best, then it may be worth it to you. But I've found that I likely won't ever spend more than $200-250 (based on current prices) or so on a reel. Same goes for rods

[Dye99]

8 minutes ago, JN94 said:

I have bought a handful of high end reels (metanium, bantam, steez) now and have come to the conclusion that for me, they aren't worth it. They are beautiful and fun to fish with, but the upgrade is so marginal for me vs a Curado or similar ~$200 reel. If you are a true enthusiast who just absolutely cannot live without fishing the best of the best, then it may be worth it to you. But I've found that I likely won't ever spend more than $200-250 (based on current prices) or so on a reel. Same goes for rods

Im getting that way with reels myself. I own Metaniums and LOVE them, but in the end they are really just there to retrieve lures and fish. Ive got a few different cheaper Shimano, Diawa, and Abu reels that do the exact same things, feel the same and have lasted really nicely for a fraction of the cost. 

Rods are different, Im a snob when it comes to sensitivity and weight.

 

But again as already mentioned, JDM is really the way for the most part, as long as you take care of your stuff since it comes without warranty.

[DaveT63]

I've never fished a newer Met, so have to leave that to the guys that have.  You don't seem to be averse to Daiwa, so to me, this is the way to go.

 

New Zillion LH 7:1 for $198 on Amazon.  It's legit, mine came in about 3 days ago and is the real deal.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Gileon-1000HL-Handle-Model/dp/B08NP3DZQJ/ref=rvi_d_sccl_6/136-7206024-9898258?pd_rd_w=aeMqX&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=80D2204CVJJP5SZ5W192&pd_rd_wg=nqy87&pd_rd_r=e8d675f1-9688-4a36-81ce-26d721885045&pd_rd_i=B08NP3DZQJ&th=1

[Bigbox99]

14 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Is Aliexpress trustworthy? I just saw it on there for $336.

Yes but be prepared to wait month for the reel to show up.

[garroyo130]

If local, give it a week and make the same offer. Sometimes we get caught up and create this false sense of urgency for ourselves. Youre likely one of few if not the only person interested in that reel at the moment. 

 

If its not local I'd pass

[Brett's_daddy]

4 hours ago, DaveT63 said:

I've never fished a newer Met, so have to leave that to the guys that have.  You don't seem to be averse to Daiwa, so to me, this is the way to go.

 

New Zillion LH 7:1 for $198 on Amazon.  It's legit, mine came in about 3 days ago and is the real deal.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Gileon-1000HL-Handle-Model/dp/B08NP3DZQJ/ref=rvi_d_sccl_6/136-7206024-9898258?pd_rd_w=aeMqX&content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=80D2204CVJJP5SZ5W192&pd_rd_wg=nqy87&pd_rd_r=e8d675f1-9688-4a36-81ce-26d721885045&pd_rd_i=B08NP3DZQJ&th=1

I just got one of those too, mine came end of last week and it’s pretty sweet looking! I’m just culling reels right now, sold two and hopefully one more so I’m in the market for at least 2 more reels.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 5/17/2024 at 3:52 PM, Brett's_daddy said:

But they are 70 size, with smaller spools and handles. It would cost $65 for a bigger YS size spool and another $20 for the bigger handle and at that point you’d be at $310+.

No theyre 100, which unless youre using #20 FC or mono it doesn't make a difference with usseable line.  The handle is the hang up, unless you get the 8 speed you get the typical 70 size handle.  Its 10mm shorter than usdm which feels like it slows you down more than it really does, but I admit I much prefer a 100mm to a 90 for anything but cranks. 

[Bigbox99]

2 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

No theyre 100, which unless youre using #20 FC or mono it doesn't make a difference with usseable line.  The handle is the hang up, unless you get the 8 speed you get the typical 70 size handle.  Its 10mm shorter than usdm which feels like it slows you down more than it really does, but I admit I much prefer a 100mm to a 90 for anything but cranks. 

Shorter handles actually increase your rate of return of line by increasing the number of rotations of the input shaft per min.  With shorter handles your hand makes a smaller circle per input shaft rotation and a smaller circle equalls more circles per unit of time measured.  Ignoring gear ratio and just focusing on input shaft rotations per unit of time, the smaller the input crank radius (handle length) the more rotations per unit of time that can be made.  To keep it simple, for a given gear ratio, longer handles slow you down and shorter ones speed you up.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

16 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

Shorter handles actually increase your rate of return of line by increasing the number of rotations of the input shaft per min.  With shorter handles your hand makes a smaller circle per input shaft rotation and a smaller circle equalls more circles per unit of time measured.  Ignoring gear ratio and just focusing on input shaft rotations per unit of time, the smaller the input crank radius (handle length) the more rotations per unit of time that can be made.  To keep it simple, for a given gear ratio, longer handles slow you down and shorter ones speed you up.

No kidding, it makes sense on paper....The issue with short handle is the first crank is slow after you stop, because you don't as much leverage.  A longer handle with larger grips gives you more leverage to take slack quickly once.  It feels like it takes more time to build that momentum with a shorter handle.  Thats one of the reasons you won't see short handles on power reels.  Ive yet to meet anyone who prefer to flip or pitch, pitch or jig with a short handle.  

[Bigbox99]

15 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

No kidding, it makes sense on paper....The issue with short handle is the first crank is slow after you stop, because you don't as much leverage.  A longer handle with larger grips gives you more leverage to take slack quickly once.  It feels like it takes more time to build that momentum with a shorter handle.  Thats one of the reasons you won't see short handles on power reels.  Ive yet to meet anyone who prefer to flip or pitch, pitch or jig with a short handle.  

Longer handles allow you to apply more torque to the input shaft and this is beneficial when the reel in under load making it "easier" to turn the input shaft.  It does not make it any easier or quicker to recover slack line.  Your hand just makes a bigger circle with a larger perimeter.  Psychologically, making a bigger circle with your hand may make you feel like you moved more line but it all comes down to the input shaft rotations.  I have a 6 gear flipping Daiwa reel that I won't go above a 90mm handle because anything longer slows me down too much.  It had an 84mm handle originally and when I went to a 110mm the rate of line recovery was too slow for my liking so I went with a 90mm.  I have also put a 130mm handle on a 300 size reel I have and am debating going down to a 110mm to get an increase in speed although I like the 130mm for working glides and getting the right cadence so it may stay.

[NorthernBasser]

On 5/18/2024 at 6:11 AM, Bigbox99 said:

Yes but be prepared to wait month for the reel to show up.

Mine usually takes around a week to 10 days. May depend on who you buy from. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

14 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

Longer handles allow you to apply more torque to the input shaft and this is beneficial when the reel in under load making it "easier" to turn the input shaft.  It does not make it any easier or quicker to recover slack line.  Your hand just makes a bigger circle with a larger perimeter.  Psychologically, making a bigger circle with your hand may make you feel like you moved more line but it all comes down to the input shaft rotations.  I have a 6 gear flipping Daiwa reel that I won't go above a 90mm handle because anything longer slows me down too much.  It had an 84mm handle originally and when I went to a 110mm the rate of line recovery was too slow for my liking so I went with a 90mm.  I have also put a 130mm handle on a 300 size reel I have and am debating going down to a 110mm to get an increase in speed although I like the 130mm for working glides and getting the right cadence so it may stay.

I agree on paper its true so long as everything else is constant, but the mechanics of the human body and physics is what dictates the ease of a longer handle.    

In reality you're only gaining 5mm for a 10mm overall increase and the increase in radius is minimal (5% on a 90 vs 100) compared to the increase in startup speed so long as the speed is a constant.  The increase in leverage allows for a faster startup speed on average and negates a slight increase.  Sustained retrieval rate will suffer in terms of time, but I'm not debating that.  

Daiwa, Shimano, Avet and Accurate have spent lots of time and money on this.  The Japanese favor shorter handles, yet JDM reels that are designed to pitch and flip use power handles, particularly in higher gear ratio reels to overcome loss of torque in comparison to lower ratio.  When it comes to jigging reels where you really have to reel down and crack em, the difference is even greater.