MediumMouthBass Posted January 24 Posted January 24 6 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said: I mean, the Tat 100 and Tat 80 from Japan are way under $150, and i'd say they're much better than Lews offerings. I really want to get a 24 Tatula 100, its the only thing Daiwa has left i dont own from them that interests me. Im very temped to get one from Japan, seems like a great reel. You are definitely right about it being better than anything Lews makes around the similar non sale price. The only thing in that range would be the LFS-LFS MP, and while they are very durable reels, they arent very appealing... At all. Both kind of look like Walmart specials. So glad they just redesigned the LFS, but it still leaves alot to be desired.... Whereas the new 24 Tatula 100 Daiwa hit a home run with its looks. But the BB1 Pro, Custom Pro, Custom SLP, SuperDuty LFS, Pro SP, KVD, Tournament Pro that are on sale or go on sale frequently around $100-180 i would put up there with being the same as any Daiwa-Shimano i own in the $100-220 MSRP range (actually $375 since my Zillion is the US version). As from my extensive amount of time on the water with all 3 brands just hasnt really given me any reason to pick a favorite. They are all in the same ballpark to me, now one reel might do this or that better than the next for certain applications, but as a whole each brand is equal to me, theres really not one thing this one does that blows the other out of the water.... (These arent reels made in Japan, just Thailand and Korea so maybe that makes a difference?). But at this point the only thing i care about is the reels looks, comfort and price. Which is why going forward i will only be buying Lews reels on sale in the US, and Daiwa/Shimanos from Japan. Because i can get some absolute steals from both. Who knows, maybe the Japanese reels are better like everyone says, ill have to try it out myself. But to stay on topic for this post you can get some really good steals of a deal from Lews buying from the US, and even Daiwas/Shimanos too (although since they are big on not letting sales happen on certain items they wont be as much off on price). Now if bought from Japan you are getting a super deal on the big 2. Whereas Abu stopped this, for the past year or 2 they only ever let their stuff be sold for MSRP or maybe just a few bucks off at most. The sale they are having now is surprising, but thats probably because their sales dried up. When you compare MSRP prices, Abu is more expensive than all 3 other brands. And they stuck to MSRP up till now. Again with the composite framed reels i mentioned, $50 more for a base model Abu than the base model Daiwa.... Quote
Logan S Posted January 24 Posted January 24 I personally use Daiwa. But really there's only a handful of scenarios where the reel actually has any impact on your fishing....And even then it's nuanced and more of an "optimization" than an actual advantage or disadvantage. The trend since the 2020 wave of newer anglers has been toward "premium" gear and baits and Shimano and Daiwa definitely fit into that...But there used to be just as many "cool guy" JDM Abu reels as there were Daiwa and Shimano. About 10 years ago I got my buddy a JDM Revo Aurora as his wedding gift, he got asked about it every time he fished. He still uses it and it's still cool. There's plenty of reasons someone would prefer to use Abu, they make good reels. Only thing I care about other anglers is how much weight they drop on the scales 😉.o 3 Quote
woolleyfooley Posted January 24 Posted January 24 5 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said: I mean, the Tat 100 and Tat 80 from Japan are way under $150, and i'd say they're much better than Lews offerings. Can you link me to the models you’re talking about? The new 24 tw and sv tw models both say made in Thailand. 5 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said: I mean, the Tat 100 and Tat 80 from Japan are way under $150, and i'd say they're much better than Lews offerings. Can you link me to the models you’re talking about? The new 24 tw and sv tw models both say made in Thailand. Quote
little giant Posted January 25 Posted January 25 I bought a '24 tat 100, Amazon Japan. It is made in Thailand. 7 speed, mag z brake, great reel for the $$ 1 Quote
primetime Posted January 25 Posted January 25 I like all 3 brands. I tend to buy whichever is the best value when I need to make a purchase. I like to buy mostly Daiwa and Abu for baitcasting reels just because I have used them for years and have always been happy. I find that a $100 reel from all the major brands is about the same quality, however it is easier imo to find sales on Abu Garcia baitcasting reels on sites like Ebay. Shimano and Daiwa tend to hold their value more. I own way to many baitcasting reels and out of all the Lew's, Okuma, Daiwa and Abu reels I have along with BPS and Academy, I have to say....I tend to reach for my Abu Garcia Max Pro's and Academy Mettle more than I do my more expensive reels. Super easy to get them dialed in. The Abu STX and Pro series are a great value pound for pound. Quote
Eric 26 Posted January 25 Posted January 25 4 hours ago, woolleyfooley said: Can you link me to the models you’re talking about? The new 24 tw and sv tw models both say made in Thailand. Can you link me to the models you’re talking about? The new 24 tw and sv tw models both say made in Thailand. I don’t want to put words in his mouth but I believe he meant as far as purchasing them from Japan. 1 Quote
ABU is overpriced Posted January 25 Author Posted January 25 5 hours ago, woolleyfooley said: Can you link me to the models you’re talking about? The new 24 tw and sv tw models both say made in Thailand. Can you link me to the models you’re talking about? The new 24 tw and sv tw models both say made in Thailand. They're made in Thailand, its a Tat, you ain't gonna find one made in Japan. I was referring to where you should be buying them for sub $150, which is always in Japan. Quote
GReb Posted January 25 Posted January 25 I’ve owned about a dozen Tatulas and my one issue with them is quality control on gears. You either get a smooth one or not. I’ve chosen to replace several gear sets. They do not fail though and are workhorses. I have a love/hate relationship with my Elite. It’s a great performing reel but I have to tear it down about 3-4 times a year to keep it running smooth Quote
primetime Posted January 25 Posted January 25 I feel like just about every company who makes reels has models that can compete with the others. Granted, Daiwa reels hold value a bit better than Abu or Okuma or Lew's, (and other dozen) and Shimano the same.....But for any brand...You get what you pay for. Buy a $200 Okuma or Lew's reel and it will hold up if you take care of it and last a decade or more and perform great. Okuma also has best customer service from my experiences but have owned more Okuma products than others. High End Okuma reels hold up great, inexpensive reels wear out over time....They will replace products if you break a guide series rod lifetime warranty in the car door or lose the side plate over side of boat. Every Brand has to outsource and they all use OEM's in different locations in case the supply chain is interrupted so they all use factories in China, Korea, Thailand etc....Not a bad thing, that's where products are made these days and it's interesting how CDM tackle like BKK and Haibo-Ark - and other's, are starting to make some waves in the USA....Kast King has high end reels now and from what I understand great service and stand by products so I would guess there $300 reels are as good as any others for $300...Just my take. They also can sell reels for less with how they set up their business. Marketing is marketing, amazing how many new companies have popped up recently and they all look alike. Daiwa does make great reels, Still have 2 Cabelas Prodigy "Engineered by Daiwa on the sides" 15 years old and going strong. Also have a 15 year old OG ABU Garcia Silver Revo SX and Heavy Metal Pflueger President that is going strong and super easy to dial in..... I guess my rant is...You get what you pay for....However, I have had $70 reels last longer than reels 3x the price. I would never buy Quantum again based on my personal issues with them, but I am sure others loved them when they had the smoke and exo etc.... 2 Quote
Blaine Donders Posted January 25 Posted January 25 I service my own reels. I have owned Daiwa Tatulas in all sizes and generations. I have owned Shimano from the Chronarch MGL on down including the Curado K, 70, Scorpions, and all the first gen SLX’s. Use what you want. There are merits to all of them. Doyo’s are fine. Banax is fine. Haibo may be one of the best right now. Having had them all in little pieces on my bench, I say who cares. Use what you like. There is no drastic difference in the quality of the small parts in any brand. I will also add that that the only reels that I have owned that always end up feeling geary as a coffee grinder is the Shimano 70 and the Scorpion 70. I have had at least a dozen and they are ended up rough to the point you could hear it and feel it. Heck I have a Black Max that is 7 years old that isn’t wore out. It’s a reel. Buy and use what you want. You want to buy a plastic Shimano for $270? Do it. You want a plastic Revo X for $100? Do it. 1 Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted January 26 Global Moderator Posted January 26 I’d say Abu Garcia is living rent free in the OPs head. 1 5 Quote
ABU is overpriced Posted January 26 Author Posted January 26 25 minutes ago, 12poundbass said: I’d say Abu Garcia is living rent free in the OPs head. She paying rent, don't worry. Quote
woolleyfooley Posted January 26 Posted January 26 20 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said: They're made in Thailand, its a Tat, you ain't gonna find one made in Japan. I was referring to where you should be buying them for sub $150, which is always in Japan. Ah, gotcha. Quote
Texas Flood Posted January 26 Posted January 26 My first couple bait casters were Abu’s and I thought the Revos were fine for the price at the time. Once I got a better paying job, I started to upgrade to Shimano and then Daiwa. Quote
Chum8888 Posted January 27 Posted January 27 Abus used to provide the most bang for buck. Here in my neck of the woods (PNW) the ambassadors were workhorses. Used 5500,6500 and 7500 c3’s for all different applications from fishing for sturgeon on the Fraser River to Coho Salmon on our small streams. For the price of one shimano calcutta, I could get 2 or 3 ambassadors. Parts were more readily available and most of us tweeked them with upgraded bearings and drag washers. Maintaining them was super easy compared to calcuttas and low profile offerings from Daiwa and Shimano. Alas, I desired reels that were smoother and abu’s were a little “rough around the edges “. Not to say they weren’t reliable, but required constant maintenance to keep them that way. Nowadays, the price gap isn’t so large anymore. Here in my area, low profile reels are becoming more and more popular and Shimano and Daiwa both have Abu beat over selection and price. Quote
dk2429 Posted January 27 Posted January 27 I’ve only owned and used 13, Shimano, and Lews. I bought an Abu Revo ALX ($249.99 when they made them) and returned it the same day. I just couldn’t for the life of me get it dialed in. Too much brake, wouldn’t cast far. Knock it off a notch, it was backlash city. I wouldn’t mind trying an SX or STX if I found a hell of a deal on one. I recently got my first Daiwa (Tatula Elite). I think all I’m buying now is Daiwa. I didn’t know what I was missing out on. Quote
Super User FishTank Posted January 27 Super User Posted January 27 I've been reading all the comments on this thread and have been wanting to respond but wasn't sure if I should or if I did, what would be the right thing to say. I could go into detail about my experiences with the other reels outside of Daiwa and Shimano or explain why l prefer Daiwa and Shimano but instead I think I will answer the original question this way.... Why would you buy an ABU over a Shimano or a Daiwa? Some people want to be different and that's ok. 2 1 Quote
Junger Posted January 27 Posted January 27 7 minutes ago, FishTank said: Some people want to be different and that's ok. Except for people who put Shimano reels on Daiwa rods, and vice versa. Then that’s just cringe! 3 1 Quote
Super User FishTank Posted January 27 Super User Posted January 27 32 minutes ago, Junger said: Except for people who put Shimano reels on Daiwa rods, and vice versa. Then that’s just cringe! I just purchased a Daiwa Steez Real Control Rod and was this close 🤏 to putting a Shimano Metanium DC on it or I thought of waiting for the new 25 Antares but it just didn't seem right. I picked up a 24 Steez SV TW instead. With that said I mix and match my reels all the time to whatever rod feels best. I think I have 3 or 4 Daiwa reels on G. Loomis (Shimano) rods now..... Sacrilege 3 Quote
Eric 26 Posted January 28 Posted January 28 27 minutes ago, FishTank said: I just purchased a Daiwa Steez Real Control Rod and was this close 🤏 to putting a Shimano Metanium DC on it or I thought of waiting for the new 25 Antares but it just didn't seem right. I picked up a 24 Steez SV TW instead. With that said I mix and match my reels all the time to whatever rod feels best. I think I have 3 or 4 Daiwa reels on G. Loomis (Shimano) rods now..... Sacrilege 3 Quote
Eric 26 Posted January 28 Posted January 28 @FishTank Although nowhere near as bad as your Daiwa/Shimano combo would have been I have a 2 Daiwa/Lews combos and an Abu Garcia/Lews combo. How’s that for mind blowing 🤣😆😂🤯 And yes I’m a rebel 😉 1 1 Quote
Super User FishTank Posted January 28 Super User Posted January 28 18 hours ago, Junger said: Except for people who put Shimano reels on Daiwa rods, and vice versa. Then that’s just cringe! How about this one? I remember someone saying this was taboo or something. 1 Quote
Eric 26 Posted January 28 Posted January 28 33 minutes ago, FishTank said: How about this one? I remember someone saying this was taboo or something. 1 Quote
twisted_metal Posted January 28 Posted January 28 I bought a Revo Premier years ago. At the time most of my reels were the OG "Green" Curados, which were super solid and easy to setup. I tried and tried to get the Revo dialed to no avail. No matter what I did outside of casting 3/4oz and up jigs I couldn't get it to work with any consistency. I would fight that reel even when I had it working at its best. I couldn't stand the reel and gave it away. I will not buy an Abu Garcia after that experience. I currently have all daiwa for casting and all shimano for spinning. Quote
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