Stradic VS Quantum Energy PTi

[earthworm77]

First off, I will absolutely keep this civil. Please understand that my posts are based on my experiences both as an angler and as a custom tackle business owner/reel service shop business owner. I've seen both reels and many others and I am basing what I say on experience with both. 4 or 5 years ago I ran 6 or 7 Stradic's personally which I changed to Stradic Mg's and ultimately the Stellas and Sustain's I currently use. If I had to recommend a reel to anyone serious about spinning gear it would be the Stradic. It is simply a proven reel and there is no disputing that.

Verm this is your quote is it not?

Advantage Shimano:

1. Lighter

2. A bit faster on the retrieve

Advantages Quantum

1. Stronger by far

2. Beautiful titanium finish which just doesn't scuff (incredible)

3. Bail closure without manual tripping - so cool!

4. Smooooooooooth

You'll notice you wrote on point 1 under the Quantum Stronger by far. This is what I questioned you upon. I wasn't sure you didn't know that the titanium was only a coating, therefore there is no added strength to the reel that makes it say stronger in nomenclature than any other reel that doesn't sport some high tech metal composite make up. I am curious as to what "tests" you performed with both of these reels to qualify that the Quantum is stronger by far. I'm sorry but it seems ridiculous to see someone make that assertion. What were the parameters of those tests? Other than getting run over by a truck, I don't think many, if any reels would break, especially the reels we are talking about. I used mine competitively and beat them up good without any failure ever. I'm not saying another brand won't perform the same as far as holding up but to make a bold statement like stronger by far, you must elaborate a little.

Regarding the PTi, the reel is not any stronger and being smooth is inherant to most mid range reels so it isn't like this is a special trait either. come to expect it when you pay 140.00 for a mill. Now, that bail thing is cool but the coating thing doesn't impress me. So it comes down to brand name and I feel most anglers associate Shimano with high quality. No doubt one of the top two companies in the industry, the other one begins with "D", not "Q".

Now, knowing that most anglers do not clean their reels regularly based on what I see coming into my shop, guys in my clubs etc. the Shimano oil port is extremely functional on those reels. A little lube when needed is better than none. That is not a gimmick function over form.

The gimmick I'm talking about on the PTi is the funky color coating and a finish that peels easily. It is made to sell reels. Judging from the failure of this coating on reels I see quite frequently, they didn't get it right. .......Remember, right now we are talking about Stradics and PTi's, not 450.00 Calais reels that likely have the coating done correctly so it won't peel. (I have no experience with those American Calais reels, as I use the shimano Japan version. As of now unless my Antares reels have it, I didn't even notice it.) I assure you it is not a selling point for the Calais.

Oh and those Energy reels? Another story altogether. I'm not saying your reel is bad, I just don't think your info is factual. I see it based more on your opinion of something you own.

[.ghoti.]

I have a Stradic, two Symetre's, a Catalst PT, two Energy PT's, two older Team Daiwa's and two Daiwa Capricorn's, so I can comment on all the above.

The Stradic is in a drawer in the garage. After three seasons, and yearly cleaning, it just doesn't feel anywhere near as smooth as it did when it was new. In reading everybody else's comments on this reel, I realize my experience is atypical. Maybe I got a bad one? Don't know, never bought another one.

The two Symetre's are about 7 or 8 years old, and still working just fine. They are on my crappie rods, and get a good workout every spring and fall. For my money, this is the best bang for the buck in the Shimano line of spinning reels. I'll temper that remark by saying that I've never owned a Stella or a Sustain. I've owned the Stradic, Symetre, Sedona and Sahara. Gave the last two away.

The Catalyst PT is every bit as smooth as the Energy. If you close your eyes, you can't tell the difference. As far as longevity, it's a bit early to tell. I've had the Catalyst for three years and the Energy for two. No problems at all, so far. For my money, the Catalyst is the most bang for the buck. When my wife started fishing with me at the beginning of last year, I let her try out all of my spinning reels and rods, and let her pick what she wanted. She picked the PT reels most emphatically. There was no discussion on this point. Those reels are "hers".

The older TD's are dead and buried. They gave me better than ten years of hard service, with no maintenance at all before they gave up the ghost. Got "em on a clearance sale at wally-world for 25 bucks each, so I got more than my money's worth out of them.

I bought Capricorns for a couple of reasons. They were on sale at Cabela's, my wife had confiscated my PT's, and my old Daiwa's were worn out. The Tackle Tour boys had done a comparison of the Capricorn and the Stradic, and had decided that the Capricorn was the better reel. Based on my experience with each, I'll have to agree. The Capricorn has been replaced in the Daiwa lineup, at the same price point, by the Tierra. Never owned one, so I can't compare them. Knowing Daiwa, I'd have a hard time believing that the quality went down.

Bottom line, if I were buying a new spinning reel today, I'd get a Catalyst PT. For ten bucks more than a Symetre you get a smoother retrieve, better drag and a magnetic bail. Pretty good for ten bucks.

Just my fifth of a dimes worth.

Cheers,

GK

[hi_steel_basser]

I want to throw my 2 pennies in the kitty. I have 3 spinning reel s in current use. A Symetre, a Catylist, and a Jonny Morris. IMO, the 2500 Symetre does not hold enough line. The 3000 Catalyst is the best. The JM is showing some signs of wear, but it is the most used of the 3. My next spinning reel will probably be a Quantum. I have yet to own a Diawa reel of any sort, so I might try them next.

[lowe160]

Ghoti, I know exactly where you are coming from, Quantum are gaining ground and gaining fast!

I think this has the other two very worried as they are losing a lot of market share. I also have fished the sedona's,sahara's and stradics and would put the catalyst up against them anytime for the type of fishing I do. The biggest problem I had with shimano was their lack of customer service and their parts prices. The stradics always seemed to bind when fishing in heavy rain and i am not the only one with this complaint.

Wayne

[.ghoti.]

I should have added that a spinning rig is in my hands about 10% of the time. So, a high end spinning reel is just not justifiable for me. The two Capricorns that I have, I use occasionally for bass and even less for walleye. They are going to last me for quite a while. My wife uses spinning gear exclusively. I'll probably be replacing hers sooner than mine. If nothing new shows up, I'll still stick by my earlier statement, and buy her more Quantum's, if they do wear out. We will see.

Cheers,

GK

[lubina]

I fish pretty often with a Catalyst and 4 PTis, I have no complains with them, when they came back from ReelMech they were like silk again. It is very comfortable to know that you have life time warranty in the bail and a 48h return time customer and repair service.

Not, I don't own any Stradic to compare.......... and it doesn't seem that I ever will. :-/

[=Matt 5.0=]

Is there a machined handle available for the Stradic? Why would there be one on the Symetre and not the more expensive Stradic? It's a pet peeve...sorry 8-)

[Vermelho]

Is there a machined handle available for the Stradic? Why would there be one on the Symetre and not the more expensive Stradic? It's a pet peeve...sorry 8-)

No...I think your concern is just fine.  If you are dealing with two great reels (i.e., Symetre and Stradic), then why not get what ya' like to look at, too?  The Symetre is a very nice reel and, as far as I'm concerned, every bit as performance capable and reliable as the Stardic - and has about all the same features.  I think the Symetre is one of the best values out there - at least that's been the experience of my local fishing club (who fishes a mostly saltwater, too).

Stradic, Energy, Catalyst, Tierra, Symetre: all of them great reels that will offer you a lot of service: if you take care of them.  If you don't take care of them, all of them will be junk very quickly.  So...go with what ya' like.  Take care of it - and learn how to do it (i.e., general maintenece and cleaning).  Enjoy it for years.  

And..remember, if you take care of a reel....you'll probably do something terrible to it that will destroy it long before it's lifespan is reached.  For instance, 6 months ago the tailgate of my Ford SUV popped open and my Curado and Accurist  - and thier rods - hit the pavement at 30 mph.  Everything ended up o.k. - both are good as always and I can't even find a scuff mark!  Nevertheless, one day I'll probably drop them into the water or run over them, or slam a tailgate on them....or something.  In short, as long as I take care of my equipment....it will probably die at my hands long before it wears out.  And this is good.

Hope this helps.

[RoLo]

I admit to being double-biased on this one.

Not only am I partial to shimano and daiwa reels, but I avoid quantum reels like the plague (not without reason).

BTW: If you're looking to save about 40 bucks a reel without any tangible sacrifice in quality,

opt for the Shimano Symetre. I own several of both (stradics & symetres) and I give the nod to Symetre.

Roger

[earthworm77]

One last thing Matt, if you go to BPS, I think they offer the Stradic teamed up with an Extreme rod for about 139.00, that is a pretty good deal. Take a look at their split grip model, I think it is a 6-9 Medium action rod.

[Raul]

Is there a machined handle available for the Stradic? Why would there be one on the Symetre and not the more expensive Stradic? It's a pet peeve...sorry 8-)

Yes sir there is a machined handle for the Stradic, you can order a Stradic Mg handle from Shimano and it will fit the regular Stradic but you don 't want it because you said you didn 't want a FOLDABLE handle and even though machined the handle is foldable.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Yes sir there is a machined handle for the Stradic, you can order a Stradic Mg handle from Shimano and it will fit the regular Stradic but you don 't want it because you said you didn 't want a FOLDABLE handle and even though machined the handle is foldable.

Bummer :-/

[Raul]

Matt, why don 't you go Japanese ? you can get a Twinpower, equivalent to the SUSTAIN for about $150.

[Raul]

Shimano Twinpower 2000 NIB + Free Shipping to your doorstep for $143:

[afendrbass]

Is there a machined handle available for the Stradic? Why would there be one on the Symetre and not the more expensive Stradic? It's a pet peeve...sorry 8-)

Yes sir there is a machined handle for the Stradic, you can order a Stradic Mg handle from Shimano and it will fit the regular Stradic but you don 't want it because you said you didn 't want a FOLDABLE handle and even though machined the handle is foldable.

I understand Matt 5.0's request for the reel with no foldable handle, and my view was established from rumors of the "play" you find in them.

I am a newcomer to tournament fishing (hopefully starting in Mar.) and with obvious cabin fever am anticipating the purchase of some hopefully long lasting equipment. Weighing my options, it just seems like a snowball effect when it comes to price (it's only $50 more, i could get this, ...well this is only $40 more than that...).  i just want a reel, and i want to fish  :-X

anyway, Raul, do you think Japanese equipment is overall better, even their "lower end" stuff, compared to what is offered here?

and, where do you order from?

[=Matt 5.0=]

Thanx Raul, but I need a 2500. The difference in price isn't much more. But, since we have a 4 month old son, it's hard to squeeze the extra dough.

[earthworm77]

Just an interesting side note...in a poll conducted currently on this forum about favorite reels Shimano is the most popular by a 4 to 1 margin over the next popular brand. At the time of posting it was 44 members preferred Shimano to 12 Daiwa and 11 Quantum.....several other brands had less votes. Just wanted to stir the coals a little. Quantum is not an up and coming brand they have been selling reels for many years. Tica on the other hand or even Okuma is up and coming. Sorry, just having fun.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Well, I tried both the Stradic 2500 and the Catalyst today. I have to say, the Quantum pretty much felt like crap compared to the Stradic. I'm on the hunt to try out a Tierra tomorrow, but right now the Stradic is looking good. No foldable handle either  8-) Tried it on a Loomis GL3 and it was pretty sweet....shhhhhhhh don't tell the wife.  

[tunnelengineer]

I have a Stradic as well as a Catalyst Pit and Kinetic Ptis.  The stradic is the best of the bunch for smoothness.  The catalyst is right up there on his heels.  I bought a 10 series fora  crappie rig and I absolutely love every minute with it.  Will I buy more stradics, you bet.  

I really don't think you can go wrong with either reel.  I think the finish on the energy calls out to thiefs a lot more than the white stradic.  Maybe something to consider, maybe not.  

[justfishin]

Save yourself some time on decision making. Buy a Stradic. These reels are the standard by which all spinning reels are measured against for the money. There are a lot of other good reels out there as well but, like I said, just by a Stradic and I am positive you will be pleased.