Jaybert Posted October 27, 2024 Posted October 27, 2024 Thinking of ordering a new SLX 70 from Digitaka. Seems like a good reel for the money. I’m building a reasonable cost medium power general purpose baitcast combo. Then I see the JDM SLX 70 DC model for not a whole lot more money. which one would you buy ? What intrigues me about the DC model is 2 more bearings. I’m not sure if I care about DC or not, never had it or really researched it. If it’s cool I’d give it a try, but not sure. anyhow, anyone have any experiences or opinions one way or the other ? Use is general purpose but on the lighter side, jerk baits top waters etc not heavy lures generally. Happy to spend less but the cost here is pretty darn close in the grand scheme of things so I don’t want to miss out on the DC or the extra bearings if it’s to some advantage. That said the straight Slx 70 seems to get lots of love on its own. Any opinions welcome ! Quote
softwateronly Posted October 27, 2024 Posted October 27, 2024 I have a curado dc and a curado 70 mgl. I prefer the mgl overall and definitely for the lighter stuff. My favorite light throwing jdm reel is the alphas 800s, though I'm not sure how much more money it costs. scott 1 Quote
Solution T2DM Posted October 27, 2024 Solution Posted October 27, 2024 I'd go with the 24 SLX 70, you're not really missing out on SLX DC. Even though it's equipped with a new firmware based on the MGL3 spool, it's still an i-DC4 based reel IMO. the two more bearings you've mentioned are just in the handle knobs and not in the reel so there's that. I'd suggest not to get all caught up on the DC reels marketing stuff, it's just another reel with another braking system and it will backlash just like any other reel out there. If you are really itching to get a DC reel for some reason, then I would recommend the SLX DC XT, best value for a dc reel IMO. 3 Quote
Jaybert Posted October 27, 2024 Author Posted October 27, 2024 1 hour ago, T2DM said: I'd go with the 24 SLX 70, you're not really missing out on SLX DC. Even though it's equipped with a new firmware based on the MGL3 spool, it's still an i-DC4 based reel IMO. the two more bearings you've mentioned are just in the handle knobs and not in the reel so there's that. I'd suggest not to get all caught up on the DC reels marketing stuff, it's just another reel with another braking system and it will backlash just like any other reel out there. If you are really itching to get a DC reel for some reason, then I would recommend the SLX DC XT, best value for a dc reel IMO. Great information thanks! I was leaning that way, I get along ok with baitcasters and generally lean to simpler things vs new latest greatest. So non DC suits me fine. But wanted to make sure I wasn’t overlooking tech that could be an advantage. 2 hours ago, softwateronly said: I have a curado dc and a curado 70 mgl. I prefer the mgl overall and definitely for the lighter stuff. My favorite light throwing jdm reel is the alphas 800s, though I'm not sure how much more money it costs. scott Alphas is a bit more $ but a solid deal no doubt and gets lots of recognition. Always been a shimano guy but bought my first Daiwa rod this year that has been very impressive. so maybe should explore tbe Alphas too. Thanks 1 Quote
softwateronly Posted October 28, 2024 Posted October 28, 2024 @Jaybert I get it and was there myself just a couple years ago. Now I'm just happy with either of the two big names because there's a level of quality guaranteed. The alphas, met, bantam, and zillion are all just so solid, but with that comes a price premium. I hear nothing but great things about the new slx and would do what you're doing. I wouldn't buy a curado today, that's for sure. scott 3 Quote
T2DM Posted October 28, 2024 Posted October 28, 2024 49 minutes ago, Jaybert said: Great information thanks! I was leaning that way, I get along ok with baitcasters and generally lean to simpler things vs new latest greatest. So non DC suits me fine. But wanted to make sure I wasn’t overlooking tech that could be an advantage. Alphas is a bit more $ but a solid deal no doubt and gets lots of recognition. Always been a shimano guy but bought my first Daiwa rod this year that has been very impressive. so maybe should explore tbe Alphas too. Thanks Don't get me wrong, there is a place and time using a DC reels, I myself own a few and use them as needed but you'll get a wide range in performance using MGL reels. After years of experimenting within Shimano line of reels and while there's nothing wrong with Shimano's reel line up, I've decided personally that from now on I wouldn't buy any Shimano reel unless it's based solely in their 'Solid Core' platform non-DC or DC reel, Extra money spent is well worth it in a long run IMO. Quote
Jaybert Posted October 28, 2024 Author Posted October 28, 2024 35 minutes ago, softwateronly said: @Jaybert I get it and was there myself just a couple years ago. Now I'm just happy with either of the two big names because there's a level of quality guaranteed. The alphas, met, bantam, and zillion are all just so solid, but with that comes a price premium. I hear nothing but great things about the new slx and would do what you're doing. I wouldn't buy a curado today, that's for sure. scott More great info thanks again. The Alphas is not far away from SLX price wise even by the time I convert it to CDN. And I’d be tempted to mod the SLX a bit vs Alphas that is likely premium out of the box. So that weighs in too. Digitaka shows Alphas ‘20 & ‘22 not sure if much difference? appears same price and specs. Strange question but are the Alphas silver in color or a silver/blue? I know color doesn’t catch fish but I like the rod to match ! Silver would work well with the rod. there is also Alphas air, looks super nice and would match this rod perfect. but BFS might be too light for me I’m thinking. Line capacity is pretty low on them Quote
softwateronly Posted October 28, 2024 Posted October 28, 2024 2 hours ago, Jaybert said: More great info thanks again. The Alphas is not far away from SLX price wise even by the time I convert it to CDN. And I’d be tempted to mod the SLX a bit vs Alphas that is likely premium out of the box. So that weighs in too. Digitaka shows Alphas ‘20 & ‘22 not sure if much difference? appears same price and specs. Strange question but are the Alphas silver in color or a silver/blue? I know color doesn’t catch fish but I like the rod to match ! Silver would work well with the rod. there is also Alphas air, looks super nice and would match this rod perfect. but BFS might be too light for me I’m thinking. Line capacity is pretty low on them Alphas 800s is the lighter weight spool, less line capacity but easier start up for throwing lighter baits and is silver without color accents. If you're seeing blueish tones; its just a reflection angle in the photography. The air is black with red accents. I'm throwing pe 1.5 on my 800s. I also have an alphas air and agree with your assessment, more true bfs style reel. They are both small reels, comparable to the curado 70/met that I find very comfortable to fish with, if you have mitts, might not be right for you. It's a tremendous reel and at digitaka prices there's nothing that compares value wise imo. https://www.digitaka.com/item/4/4/2/4550133289439 scott edit for clarity; the difference between the 20 and 22 is just the lighter weight spool 1 Quote
Jaybert Posted October 28, 2024 Author Posted October 28, 2024 19 hours ago, softwateronly said: Alphas 800s is the lighter weight spool, less line capacity but easier start up for throwing lighter baits and is silver without color accents. If you're seeing blueish tones; its just a reflection angle in the photography. The air is black with red accents. I'm throwing pe 1.5 on my 800s. I also have an alphas air and agree with your assessment, more true bfs style reel. They are both small reels, comparable to the curado 70/met that I find very comfortable to fish with, if you have mitts, might not be right for you. It's a tremendous reel and at digitaka prices there's nothing that compares value wise imo. https://www.digitaka.com/item/4/4/2/4550133289439 scott edit for clarity; the difference between the 20 and 22 is just the lighter weight spool Perfect thanks again ! I’m liking the look of the Alphas for sure. Might be the one to go with. Closest equivalent here in Canadian models is significantly more even with the exchange. Going on a loomis MBR782C should be a sweet setup with either this or the SLX. But I’m leaning Alphas. Time to try something new I think 2 Quote
softwateronly Posted October 28, 2024 Posted October 28, 2024 That sounds like a lovely set up, a true do-all from 1/8-5/8, I can't imagine you not loving it. scott Quote
FrnkNsteen Posted October 29, 2024 Posted October 29, 2024 13 hours ago, Jaybert said: Perfect thanks again ! I’m liking the look of the Alphas for sure. Might be the one to go with. Closest equivalent here in Canadian models is significantly more even with the exchange. Going on a loomis MBR782C should be a sweet setup with either this or the SLX. But I’m leaning Alphas. Time to try something new I think I have an Alphas that is on a Loomis GLX MBR783c that I currently have a Sieberts Mini Swimjig setup on. I really like the Alphas 800 and on that GLX I picked up when they were clearing out the old models,... It really makes a nice balanced setup!! 2 Quote
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