ProLite or Extreme 05, opinions please

[retiredbosn]

BPS has a good sale going on right now, I can get the ProLite for 69 or the Extreme for 49, from the descriptions the reels are similar to the point of being the same with the exception the the Prolite has duraaluminim gears and the Ext has brass.  Does any one have first hand experience with these reels that can give some advice as to how good of a reel they are?

[21farms]

actually, the prolite finesse that is on sale for $69 is the "B" version and has brass gears. it is the new "C" version that has the aluminum gears.

anyway, my guess would be that, since the prolite B has a heavier forged handle and metal star drag but is still 0.2 ounces lighter than the 05 extreme, that the main difference must be in the spool, with the prolite's spool being much lighter and therefore faster to start up with lightweight baits. i have two prolites, an A and a B, and they're fantastic with finesse baits...nearly as good as my chronarch 50MG.

by the way, the prolite C's are currently on sale for $99. i, for one, am not a fan. they decontented the reels (thin, stamped handle vs. forged, EVA foam grips vs. rubberized plastic, aluminum gears vs brass, a thinner drag stack, a shallower spool, and replacing the nice inertial transfer braking with "dual braking") and called it weight savings. in fairness, all these measures did shave 1.3 ounces off an already light reel but i'm sure at the expense of long-term durability.

[retiredbosn]

Thanks, I ended up getting the 05 Extreme based on the advice of the local pro, last years model with the ITB braking system. I have been playing around with my set up, a KVD ML signature rod and 8lb test line. I cast the light weight jigs and finesse drop shots with ease. I'm very happy up to this point, I will be able to tell more once I can start fishing with it, it is 28 balmy degrees today, so it will be awhile. In fact up to this point I'm thinking that my spinning set up will be collecting dust for a while.