fish-fighting-illini Posted April 29, 2007 Posted April 29, 2007 What do you think is the best spinning reel value for the money? This will mean different things to different people. To some the $500 and its features will be it. For some a $20 throw it away in a year reel is the ticket What's your opinion? Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted April 29, 2007 Super User Posted April 29, 2007 It depends. Value for money means different things to different people, depending upon a number of factors. There is no ONE answer to your question. Quote
gopherbass Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 I'll take the position the cheapest reel you can find is the best value when it comes to spinning reels. The marginal return on your investment, in terms of value added, diminishes extremely quickly with spinning reels. Quote
Guest the_muddy_man Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Pflueger Trion for 39 bucks a great value and a great reel Quote
Super User Catt Posted April 30, 2007 Super User Posted April 30, 2007 Shimano Stradic ST2500FH $119.99 Quote
Super User RoLo Posted April 30, 2007 Super User Posted April 30, 2007 Best Spinning reel value That's an easy one: Shimano Symetre If you're looking for the "Best Value" in the Shimano house, my vote goes to Shimano Symetre, hands-down! I own several of both models, and there's no perceptible difference between the Stradic and the Symetre. Below is a rundown from a former post I made: SHIMANO SYMETRE 2500 FI SY2500FI - $80 Max Drag Wgt Line Cap Bearings Inches/Turn Price 15 lbs 9.5 oz 120yds/10 lb 4-BB/1-RB 31 $80 > The Symetre 2500 provides 25% greater drag tension than the Stradic 2500: (15-lb vs. 12-lb) > The Symetre 2500 weighs 2/10 ounce less than the Stradic 2500: (9.5oz vs. 9.7oz) > The Symetre has the same number of bearings as the Stradic: (4-BB/1-RB) > The Symetre costs 33% less than the Stradic ($80 vs. $120) For comparison, you can buy 6 Symetres to 1 Stella and still have money leftover for a steak dinner 8-) Roger Quote
Big T Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 I am with Rolo on this one, Shimano Symtre all the way, except both of mine are 4000 series. One is a 4000 Fh and the other is a 4000Fi that I just purchased. Quote
skillet Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 I was gonna say Symetre (I own one) but I don't think anyone is gonna come with a better explanation than RoLo has!! If you want a Shimano (and who wouldn't ;D) As Ever, Skillet Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted April 30, 2007 Super User Posted April 30, 2007 I like The Pflueger Presidant........$59. Smooth as silk , tough as nails. Quote
Cephkiller Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 RoLo, you have convinced me to give the Symetre a shot. The next time I purchase a spinning reel I will give it a long hard look. Thanks. Quote
fish-fighting-illini Posted April 30, 2007 Author Posted April 30, 2007 Sorry, I thought I was pretty clear. I was looking for specific models and their prices. Was just courious on what people thought was a good value. The questionn is to you and what is your opinion. I already stated in the post that it would be different for different people. Some it is high end some middle, some low. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted April 30, 2007 Super User Posted April 30, 2007 Although I have a preference for the Stradic, I think Roger has made a strong case for the Shimano Symetre. The Stella isn't a consideration on this thread. That's like comparing the machines NASCAR ran yesterday at Talladega to production Dodge, Chevy, Toyoto and Fords. A chasis on four wheels is about all they have in common. The Shimano Stella has no place in the "value" category. Quote
Super User .ghoti. Posted April 30, 2007 Super User Posted April 30, 2007 For the most bang for the buck, I'd go with the the Shimano Symetre, the Quantum Catalyst PT, or the Pflueger President. Quote
switz Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 RoLo--thanks for the comparison. Do you know how the Symetre stacks up against the Stradic MgFA. Are they worth the extra $?? Quote
lubina Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 Best Spinning reel value That's an easy one: Shimano Symetre Like he says, better performance than any of my other reels, Energys and Catalyst Quote
Guest avid Posted April 30, 2007 Posted April 30, 2007 I'm with RoLo on this one. One of the few Shimano reels I own is the Symetre. I didn't want to spend too much money. I was looking for a very light, smooth reel, for catching Jack crevalle in the canal. I shopped around quite a bit (a labor of love) and settled on the symetre 750 This little gem casts like a dream, weighs barely 7 oz's. has handled jacks up to 9 lbs and is an all around pleaure to deal with. Two things I'm very fussy about in spinning reels. 1. spool oscillation - I do not want to feel the spool going back and forth - wobble is VERBOTTEN!! 2. loose fitting handle grips. - Many of the reels these days dont have screw adjustments so if your grips don't fit properly there isn't a heck of alot you can do. In both these categories and others the reel is excellent. It's had one trip to reel mech in the three years I've owned it for clenaing/lube. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' PS> this is a great example of how the "bearing hype" is just that ......hype. Put the symetre and a less expesive reel boasting 5 to 8 bearings and see which is smoother? Sorry to keep rambling, but this is also a point many overlook. All reels of the same make and model are NOT created equally. This is very important. You can get a symetre sight unseen from BPS and get a great reel. But I promise you, if you go to BPS and ask to see ALL the Symetre 2500's they have so you can choose the exact one you want you will be surprised to notice that they will feel slightly different. I never buy an expensive reel without doing this. You would really be surprised how the seemingly slight difference acceptable as "within specs" can be felt by the educated hand. good luck and have fun avid Quote
Super User RoLo Posted April 30, 2007 Super User Posted April 30, 2007 RoLo--thanks for the comparison. Do you know how the Symetre stacks up against the Stradic MgFA. Are they worth the extra $?? Switz, there's no question that the MgFA is superior to a symetre, but of course, this thread centers on "value". The MgFA is a specialized reel that I wouldn't place in a "best bang for the buck" category. However, if you're looking for an enticingly lightweight reel that's non-corrosive even with saltwater exposure, then I'm sure it's worth it Roger Quote
Super User senile1 Posted April 30, 2007 Super User Posted April 30, 2007 Shimano Stradic ST2500FH $119.99 I agree with Catt's choice but Rolo has prompted me to want to revisit the Symetre. Quote
ksdog Posted May 1, 2007 Posted May 1, 2007 Having owned president's , stradics, symetres, etc. Daiwa Exceller is the best value winner. Quote
logger Posted May 1, 2007 Posted May 1, 2007 Pflueger President, has been a great reel for 2 years for me, and affordable Quote
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