Loomis MBR IMX -vs- Shimano Crucial

[TxBuddha]

The bait monkey is still alive and well!

As I've stated before I'm buying a couple of new outfits in a couple of months. I've narrowed down my rod selection to the Loomis MBR843C & MBR 844C, both in IMX and the Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH or CRC-70MH. I'm currently fishing the CRC-70MH and like it but still wonder if I'm not missing something by not having a Loomis or two. I'm primarily a soft plastic fisherman, T-rig & C-Rig but I'm starting to fish jigs more. What I'm looking for is the ever elusive "all around" combo. I understand that like most things in life there's a compromise somewhere in this. I've got other rods to fish top water, spinner baits, and crank baits with so those don't figure into this equation. What I want to be able to do is have 3-4 rods, rigged and ready to go with a variety of baits.

I like the Shimano "over the counter" warranty but the Loomis Expediter service has it's good points too.

Tell me which one you prefer and why.

[flechero]

I won't knock Shimano rods... they are a good value and have a great warranty.  I just like IMX better.  I have own(ed) the MBR844, MBR784, MBR783 and several SJR's in factory built IMX rods and the MBR844, MBR784 IMX in custom builds.  I can't think of a good reason, other than budget or if you are rough on equipment, not to buy IMX.  

If you plan to use the warranty with any regularity, buy the Shimano.  

[roadwarrior]

I cannot offer a side-by-side comparison, but if I only had one rod, the MBR844C would be the one.

[TxBuddha]

Budget figures in, to a point. I'm an admitted "gear head" so $ are a consideration but not the only or even main consideration.

Flechero, if I'm hearing you right the IMX has the "it" factor for you. I can't argue with that, everyone has something that does "it" for them. I like my Crucial, I'm just wondering if the IMX's are worth $100 more per rod. I've put finger prints all over 'em in the store so far and they are definitely fine rods, that's what has gotten me thinking. I don't think I'm any rougher than average on my equipment, I don't baby it but I don't use rods for push poles either....so the Shimano warranty is a nice bonus but again not necessarily the main factor.

RW, I almost knew where you'd be on this

[Triton9]

i have both crucials and IMX's and i love them both but i would have to go with the loomis. i love my crucials but the IMX's better, their lighter, and more sensetive. so if i were you TxBuddha i would get the loomis.

[FishTank]

I purchased a MH 6'10'' Crucial Febuary last year and fished for about a month.  It was a very nice rod for the money but sad to say it broke at the tip on a hookset.  It could have been some operator error involved or just the cold weather but I returned it to BPS and got talked into a G. Loomis MBR 783 GLX.  I can't say enough about this rod, simply amazing.

I later purchased, with the forum's advice, a MBR 844C IMX and it is an outstanding rod, probably the most versitale rod I own.  It is by far a much better rod than the Crucial.  It, IMHO, can handle a much heavier load than the crucials.  Just on a personal obsrevation, the Crucial seemed to have an extra fast action to it.  The way the rod loaded just seemed odd to me.

[Raul]

Crucials are excellent rods but they are not IMXs.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I like the Shimano "over the counter" warranty but the Loomis Expediter service has it's good points too.

Tell me which one you prefer and why.

I have fished with both the Shimano Crucial and the G Loomis IMX. I had the Crucial first before I purchased the IMX and thought that there couldn't have been a better rod then the Crucial. I was also sold on the warranty of the Shimano (which I was told was a lifetime "over the counter" warranty). Well, while fishing I stepped on the tip of my Crucial and broke it off. I thought no big deal since I can just take it back and get a new one next time I was at Cabelas. I took it to Cabelas and asked for an exchange and they asked me for my receipt for proof of purchase. Stupid me threw the receipt out thinking that there wouldn't be an issue if I ever needed to exchange for a new one. So they looked up in the computer as to when I may have purchased it. I told them the month I thought I purchased it and it couldn't be found on my record. Through this all, I got into a discussion with the customer service agent and I asked him that I was told Shimano had an "over the counter" lifetime warranty. He said that a lot of people think that for some reason, but the true warranty is over the counter replacement for any reason for the first year after purchase (and make sure you have a proof of purchase, i.e., receipt) and any time after that the rod has to be sent to Shimano directly. Then Shimano will look at the rod and if they determine the break occurred because of a manufacturers defect then they will replace it. If they determine that it was fisherman's error (ex. stepping on it) you will have to pay to get it replaced or fixed. I have heard Shimano is relatively liberal about this, but it still seems like a hassle. The end my story, after a long time at the customer service counter they finally allowed me to exchange the rod (Cabelas has to have the best customer service of any company out there), but I was afraid I was going to have to take a lie detector test before they did. With the G Loomis warranty, they will replace your rod for free if there is a manufacturers defect (same as Shimano's Warrant), but also if you break it you can have a new rod within a few days just for $50 bucks with the Expidetor service with no questions asked (I know $50 may sound like a lot, but in some cases these rods are over $400, so it's relatively cheap). I now have 6 G Loomis rods and sold the one Crucial rod I had. Also, these G Loomis rods are a joy to fish with. Be careful though, after you buy one you will have strong impulses to buy more.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I'm just wondering if the IMX's are worth $100 more per rod.

I purchased an IMX MRB844C brand new on eBay for $152 total.  My Crucial cost me $139.99 + tax = $148.39.  So for another $3.61 I had a new IMX.  If you look around you can find deals on G Loomis Rods.  

[TxBuddha]

I like the Shimano "over the counter" warranty but the Loomis Expediter service has it's good points too.

Tell me which one you prefer and why.

I have fished with both the Shimano Crucial and the G Loomis IMX. I had the Crucial first before I purchased the IMX and thought that there couldn't have been a better rod then the Crucial. I was also sold on the warranty of the Shimano (which I was told was a lifetime "over the counter" warranty). Well, while fishing I stepped on the tip of my Crucial and broke it off. I thought no big deal since I can just take it back and get a new one next time I was at Cabelas. I took it to Cabelas and asked for an exchange and they asked me for my receipt for proof of purchase. Stupid me threw the receipt out thinking that there wouldn't be an issue if I ever needed to exchange for a new one. So they looked up in the computer as to when I may have purchased it. I told them the month I thought I purchased it and it couldn't be found on my record. Through this all, I got into a discussion with the customer service agent and I asked him that I was told Shimano had an "over the counter" lifetime warranty. He said that a lot of people think that for some reason, but the true warranty is over the counter replacement for any reason for the first year after purchase (and make sure you have a proof of purchase, i.e., receipt) and any time after that the rod has to be sent to Shimano directly. Then Shimano will look at the rod and if they determine the break occurred because of a manufacturers defect then they will replace it. If they determine that it was fisherman's error (ex. stepping on it) you will have to pay to get it replaced or fixed. I have heard Shimano is relatively liberal about this, but it still seems like a hassle. The end my story, after a long time at the customer service counter they finally allowed me to exchange the rod (Cabelas has to have the best customer service of any company out there), but I was afraid I was going to have to take a lie detector test before they did. With the G Loomis warranty, they will replace your rod for free if there is a manufacturers defect (same as Shimano's Warrant), but also if you break it you can have a new rod within a few days just for $50 bucks with the Expidetor service with no questions asked (I know $50 may sound like a lot, but in some cases these rods are over $400, so it's relatively cheap). I now have 6 G Loomis rods and sold the one Crucial rod I had. Also, these G Loomis rods are a joy to fish with. Be careful though, after you buy one you will have strong impulses to buy more.

I haven't broken a Crucial but I did break a Compre (same warranty) and BassPro replaced it without question. There was a story related to me a couple of weeks ago about a guy from the D/FW area pre-fishing a tournament at Sam Rayburn. He broke his Loomis, called Loomis from his boat and gave them his CC info and explained he was pre-fishing a tourney. The next day a new rod was delivered to his hotel. I don't know if that's typical CS from Loomis but if it is it beats having to find someplace in the sticks to exchange your Crucial!

[Al Wolbach]

I can not speak for Cabela's but BPS has over the counter replacement for the Shimano rods no questions asked, forever.....

A Shimano rep told us (BPS employees) that the Crucial was about equal to a Loomis GL3. I don't know, I have never fished a Shimano rod of any kind. I have fished the Loomis MBR844c GLX and it is my favorite rod. As RW has stated many times " If I could only have one, the 844c would be it"

Loomis customer sevice takes a backseat to no other company.................Al

[TxBuddha]

AL, that's an interesting comparison considering the price point between the GL3 and IMX isn't that great and especially since Shimano now owns Loomis IIRC. I was looking at the GL3's but after comparing them to the IMX's decided the few extra $$ for the IMX would probably be money well spent.

[Al Wolbach]

AL, that's an interesting comparison considering the price point between the GL3 and IMX isn't that great and especially since Shimano now owns Loomis IIRC. I was looking at the GL3's but after comparing them to the IMX's decided the few extra $$ for the IMX would probably be money well spent.

This meeting took place almost 2 yrs ago, not long after Shimano had acquired G. Loomis. The rep also stated no company has a rod to compare with the GLX, however they can be a little fragile if not handled carefully when not fishing.

It is interesting when meeting with the other factory reps, they would prefer the name G. Loomis did not come up. Some will admit "off the record" that their rods don't compare but are quick to point out the price difference also. The Shimano rep would not speak negitively about G. Loomis for obivious reasons....................Al

[surfer]

I only voted so that I could see the tally.  I had to vote Loomis IMX.  I haven't been fishing long and don't think I know enough to comment accurately, but I have 3 rods.  The two mentioned and an ugly stick.  The Loomis has a lot more back bone, but I find the crucial to be a hint more sensitive.  This may be in part to it M vs MH rating or maybe its balance?  The crucial is much more balanced.  If I could catch a fish bigger than 2 lbs I would tell you how they handle in comparison with one another.  I have more confidence in the hook set with the Loomis.  Since I am only using 6 lb line most of my fight is the responsibility of the drag more so than the rods ability.

These are the two models I have.  I don't know if it's really a fair comparison since the Crucial is a drop shot rod and the Loomis is a jig rod.

SJR843 IMX

CRS-DX72M

[Alpster]

I have had two GLX and one IMX rod (3 total) replaced by G Loomis under their "Expiditer" service. Granted it costs $50 to use it, but it is absolutely no hassle. No receipts, no time limit and no questions. The $50 covers shipping both ways. You must return the broken rod in the tube they send the new one in. Loomis gets my money. Superior rods and warranty. JMHO

Ronnie

[Pencil Pusher]

It is very possible that the Crucial is comparable to the GL3 considering that the GL3 is made in USA and the Crucial is made in China; the difference in cost would likely be labor.

Also, Shimano acquired Loomis in 1998 (from the Loomis catalog), not a couple of years ago.

[3125gauge]

G-loomis warranty is no doubt the best in the business.  I broke a GL3 that I have had for a long time.  I paid $50.00 for the xpeditor service and they sent me a new rod in a few days.  I put my old rod in the pre-paid shipping tube and sent it back.  G-looomis rods are second to none in quality and the normal warranty is good on them, but the xpeditor service is awesome.  For the life of the rod if it breaks for any reason you call them and they send you a brand new rod and you send them the broken one back.  That alone makes G-loomis rods worth the money.

[New Bass Man]

You can also access the expediter service on line.  I just broke one my IMX rods.  I expect to see my new rod by Tuesday or Wednesday.