Is Daiwa's Exceler the new King of sub $100 reels?

[vintagerod]

Does anybody have any experience with these reels?  I haven't tried one yet, but on paper, the stats are quite impressive.  Check out how the Exceler compares to three highly regarded $100 reels:

Citica 200D:  4+1 bearings, 9.9 oz, 150 yds of 12 lb, 6.2:1 ratio

Revo S:  8+1 bearings, 8.6 oz, 140 yds of 12 lb, 6.4:1 ratio

Trion:  5+1 bearings, 8.9 oz, 160 yds of 12 lb, 6.3:1 ratio

Exceler:  8+1 bearings, 8.8 oz, 150 yds of 12 lb, 6.3:1 ratio

What is truly exceptional is that the Exceler is only $70!!

Thoughts?

[Jimzee]

Too new to tell.  Give it a couple of years of use and see how it handles.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I went to Sportsmans Warehouse looking for a relativly inexpensive reel when I ran across the Daiwa Exceler.  After holding it, it felt a little cheap to me (even though it looked nice).  The Daiwa Megaforce felt smoother, better made, and an overall better reel (if you don't mind the twitching bar).  Long story short, I ended up with the Megaforce.

[Jeff H]

I'll pick one up next time I go to Cabela's.  I want to take it apart and look inside.  There has to be a reason it's so cheap.  Don't think I've ever seen a reel with a Aluminum frame, 8 bearings,drilled spool,swept handle etc etc so cheap.

[LakeAnnaBasser]

I'll pick one up next time I go to Cabela's. I want to take it apart and look inside. There has to be a reason it's so cheap. Don't think I've ever seen a reel with a Aluminum frame, 8 bearings,drilled spool,swept handle etc etc so cheap.

haha your going to buy one just to take it apart??? If you do let us know how it is.

[HUNTER19]

i dont know if you could beat the revo s for the price!!!

[islandbass]

If you are referring to the Trion Baitcaster, I have one. It is a solid reel, but it does not fare well for weights less than 1/4 oz without some serious adjustments.

Great reel for the price. I'd put it on par with the Curado BSF (old greenie).

It has landed all of my river salmon without breaking a sweat.

[Jake.]

i dont know if you could beat the revo s for the price!!!

x2

[Jeff H]

Well, I stopped at Cabela's on the way home tonight and no Exceler.  So, then I decided I'd get a new HSTA Supertuned and all they had was the same lefty display model, no righty in stock.  I then moved on to trying to decide between a Revo Premier or the Chronarch 50mg.  I left with nothing but a couple new X Raps and Fat Raps.

I'll get the Exceler as soon as I can find one.  Going to hit my favorite independant sporting goods retailer tomorrow.  He'll probably have one, if not I'll order it.  Gonna pick up a new Castaic also.

[vintagerod]

Can't wait to hear your impressions, Jeff H.

Good luck...hope you can find one in stock

[vintagerod]

i dont know if you could beat the revo s for the price!!!

I hear you, especially given the fact you can pick up Revo S's for less than $80 NIB on eBay.

But now that a few people have had the chance to try the Exceler, I'm wondering if, dollar for dollar, Daiwa has upped the ante.

[JKLOCK]

I have 2 Exceler's and love them.  Got them at

Tackle Warehouse for $59.00 and no shipping charge.  It's a great buy on a good reel.

http://www.***.com/descpageRLSDAIWA-DES.html

                        SeniorBasser

[burleytog]

I have 2 Exceler's and love them. Got them at

Tackle Warehouse for $59.00 and no shipping charge. It's a great buy on a good reel.

http://www.***.com/descpageRLSDAIWA-DES.html

                        SeniorBasser

Wrong reel

http://www.***.com/descpageRLCDAIWA-DEC.html

[infamous fisher]

I recently wond one on Ebay and was pretty psyched up. Those reels look very nice online, but when you hold them in your hand, its a different story.  They are cheaply built.  The cool thing about them is the handle, and even that feels a little cheap.  I will probably give it to someone that has a birthday coming up and save up for the Tierra or even the HSTA.

[Ballpark Frank]

The answer to the original question is, yes.

[roadwarrior]

The Shimano Citica has built a reputation for performance. It's still King:

http://www.deloscustomtackleshack.com/reels/shimanocitaca.html

8-)

[Jeff H]

The Shimano Citica has built a reputation for performance. It's still King:

The one I have certainly is not.  I'm going to send it to Reel Mech and see what he can do for it.  Something is wrong inside this one (nothing real bad me thinks).  To be fair I bought it out of the bargain cave at Cabela's for my son and it was obviously used/returned...but I got it for $50 so there is room for some of his magic work.

[ww2farmer]

IMHO the king of sub $100 reels is the Abu Revo S and if you want to go cheaper, the Quantum Accurist CX. Truth be told, I was a Daiwa guy UNTILL the Exceler came out. For the last few years I used the Procaster 100HL reels that were replaced by the, as well as a few Team Daiwa Advantages, both were under $100, and were rock solid, smooth,reliable reels. Daiwa has screwed every thing up in the <$100 baitcasting range. The exceler is a much cheaper feeling and looking reel than the Procaster, the Procaster Rojo, while built on the Procaster frame I like, is not $20-430 better than the standard 100HL, and has thar rediculous half hearted attempt at a flipping switch, and lastly the regular advantage is no longer made, replaced by the Teirra, which BTW cost $15-$20 more for basicly the same old Advantage w/ a new paint job. I don't think Daiwa will be getting any more of my business. IMHO the are way behind Abu, Shimano, and Quantum in the $70-$125 baitcasting reel game.

[Jeff H]

One of the best deals I came across was the 07 model Cabela's Prodigy on clearance for $65.  Heckuva deal for what is basically a TD-A 150H.

[David P]

Prodigy's are great reels in the sub $100 range, but you just can't beat the Citica going at $90 after rebate right now.

Citica is the king.