Question about Abu Garcia Revo baitcasting reels

[BassLaw13]

Hi all,

I've read the posts comparing the Revo's and the Zillions and it seems like a lot of it is simply personal preference.

I think my question is a little different.  Rumor is that the Revo has a "sweet spot" or, in other words, if you attempt to cast too hard or too quickly, the reel will backlash.  Is there any truth to this?  I hope you all can help answer this question and hopefully I've added to the discussion.

Thanks in advance.

[J Francho]

I think most of that comes down to training your thumb, though I've casted an SX and an STX many times to see what they were like.  Had no issues with the SX centrifugal braking system.  I had to crank the STX brakes all the way up to prevent backlashes.  Never had any issue with Daiwa's Mag-Z or Mag-V brakes.

[roadwarrior]

I find the magnetic STX to be finicky. My solution has been to

assign this reel to one job: fishing 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs + trailer.

I've found the "sweet spot" for this specific application. Otherwise,

you're just going to have to play with the thing.

BTW,

The vast majority of STX owners love their reels, seriously.

8-)

[Uncle Leo]

I find the magnetic STX to be finicky. My solution has been to

assign this reel to one job: fishing 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs + trailer.

I've found the "sweet spot" for this specific application. Otherwise,

you're just going to have to play with the thing.

BTW,

The vast majority of STX owners love their reels, seriously.

8-)

I agree this is the exact application my STX has been assigned to.

[fishinfiend]

It took me a little while to set the brakes on my STX, but once I found the proper setting it casts like a dream and it rarely backles. I will agree that it is finicky, but I really love this real.

[BassLaw13]

Thanks for all of the input, gents.  I believe I have my answer.  Since I intend on using my new reel for topwaters, specifically buzz baits and spinner baits, I'll probably go with the Zillion.

Thanks again.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I love all my Revos, but I must admit, I'm going to swipe my buddy's Zillion when he's not looking. It's a SWEET reel.

Falcon

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I think most of that comes down to training your thumb, though I've casted an SX and an STX many times to see what they were like. Had no issues with the SX centrifugal braking system. I had to crank the STX brakes all the way up to prevent backlashes. Never had any issue with Daiwa's Mag-Z or Mag-V brakes.

I thought the SX had a magnetic brake  :-?

[J Francho]

I think most of that comes down to training your thumb, though I've casted an SX and an STX many times to see what they were like.  Had no issues with the SX centrifugal braking system. I had to crank the STX brakes all the way up to prevent backlashes.  Never had any issue with Daiwa's Mag-Z or Mag-V brakes.

I thought the SX had a magnetic brake  :-?

Yes it does.  It was the S model I casted.  TMTLM syndrome.  (Too Many Three Letter Acronyms).  

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I think most of that comes down to training your thumb, though I've casted an SX and an STX many times to see what they were like. Had no issues with the SX centrifugal braking system. I had to crank the STX brakes all the way up to prevent backlashes. Never had any issue with Daiwa's Mag-Z or Mag-V brakes.

I thought the SX had a magnetic brake :-?

Yes it does. It was the S model I casted. TMTLM syndrome. (Too Many Three Letter Acronyms).

Gotcha....I'm not a revo kinda guy but I thought the SX was magnetic...I have casted the SX and the brakes are finicky IMO

[J Francho]

TMTLM syndrome.  (Too Many Three Letter Acronyms)

Proof of concept there, I can't even get that one right.  ;D

*************

I just rebuilt an SX.  I must have SX on the brain.

[BrianinMD]

I just got a Revo S earlier this year, I have not had one issue with the brakes or casting. The centrifugal brakes were no problem to me, my first BC reel I bought last year was magnetic brakes and it has been a test of nerves.

Was out earlier today and was ripping away on cast without any issues. I have it on a 7ft BPS Extreme Trigger MH rod for reference.

[Micro]

The Revo's brakes isn't bad or good, it's just different. And if you take the time to learn it, like any other reel, you'll get used to it.

Most of my baitcasters have a pretty narrow range of use. I have a flipping reel, a pitching/frog reel, spinnerbait reels, worm reel, c-rig reel, etc. I don't have one reel that has a broad range of uses. So I don't need to mess with the brake or spool tension that much once I set it. That said, if I did need a reel to pull duty on a broad range of lure weights, I'd go with the Zillion. As good as the Revo is, it's quicker to find the sweet spot on the Zillion. Set the spool tension so the lure drops to the floor but not so quckly that the spool spins once it hits. Then set the brake to 50% and you are there. After that it's just a matter of brake-setting preference.

The only caveat for would be if you are casting lighter baits - under 1/2 oz.  My Revo STXs do outcast my Zillions with light baits.  

[ww2farmer]

I have the S, the SX, and the STX, as well as most of the Daiwa, Shimano, and Quantum's in that ballpark. The Revo's are the most touchy, more specificly the SX and STX. The S is actually pretty consistant and IMHO is easier to get set. I find I am always playing with the other two. They are nowhere near as consistant and effective as Daiwa's mag brakes, and actually the same can be said for the S's 6 pin cent. brake, it seems the Shimano VBS just works better.

Don't get me wrong I love my Revo's and they ain't going any where, IMHO they just need an attentive operator, where as with Shimano's and Daiwa's you can "fall asleep" at the wheel some times and the brake system will typicly bail you out.

[mattm]

I just recently bought a Daiwa Zillion crazy crankster.  It took a lot for me to do this since I had almost just recently completed my complete switch over to all Revo's.  I've only had the Zillion out one trip, but I really, really wish I would of saved 70 bucks and bought the Revo Winch.  Not knocking the Zillion it preformed fine, but not any better than my Revo's.  To make my decision worse is Abu was offering a free pair of Wiley X glasses at the time, I think they still are.

[Micro]

Unless you have tried a Winch, you can't fully appreciate the Zillion High Power.  The Winch is not an STX.  The Winch launced heavy baits just fine, but below 1/2 oz mine was a not a great performer.  My Zillion High Power cast heavier baits as well as the Winch, and cast lighter baits MUCH better than the Winch.  

[Ineedanewscreenname20170204]

I didn't think my Revo SX was finnicky until I got a Curado 200e.  I love the Revo but the centrifigal brakes on the Shimano is pretty amazing.  Anyway I do love the SX - it casts really well but will complain nastily (i.e. overrun) if you push it too hard...

[mattm]

Unless you have tried a Winch, you can't fully appreciate the Zillion High Power.  The Winch is not an STX.  The Winch launced heavy baits just fine, but below 1/2 oz mine was a not a great performer.  My Zillion High Power cast heavier baits as well as the Winch, and cast lighter baits MUCH better than the Winch.

Maybe, and it should be said that all my Revo experience is with the with the S, SX and STX. Even if I wouldn't of liked the winch I still think for the money I would rather have a SX or STX since I don't do a lot of deep cranking. Again not knocking the Zillion, but trying to point out the huge bargain the Revo's are.

[The_Natural]

I just recently bought a Daiwa Zillion crazy crankster. It took a lot for me to do this since I had almost just recently completed my complete switch over to all Revo's. I've only had the Zillion out one trip, but I really, really wish I would of saved 70 bucks and bought the Revo Winch. Not knocking the Zillion it preformed fine, but not any better than my Revo's. To make my decision worse is Abu was offering a free pair of Wiley X glasses at the time, I think they still are.

That surprises me. I know you own a lot of Revos, and are well in tune with abu's magnetic braking system, so we'll leave the braking systems out of this one. Compared to the Revos, the Zillion just feels more solid and tight to me....it just seems to exude that Japanese precision like a swiss watch or something. I guess this is why there are more than one reel to choose from in the market .

BTW...we need to fish. This weather is killing me....I'm free whenever. Let's go....you can even bring your Revos 8-)

[David P]

Revo and Zillion being the same? I personally think they're much different. The zillion casts lighter baits MUCH easier. 1/8oz baits with ease, the STX on the other hand, not so much.

I have 2 Zillions for baits 1/4oz and under, and 4 STXs for heavier baits.

Sweet spot? No. I cast very hard sometimes, never any issues.

Just my preference

[mattm]

That surprises me.  I know you own a lot of Revos, and are well in tune with abu's magnetic braking system, so we'll leave the braking systems out of this one.  Compared to the Revos, the Zillion just feels more solid and tight to me....it just seems to exude that Japanese precision like a swiss watch or something.  I guess this is why there are more than one reel to choose from in the market  .

BTW...we need to fish.  This weather is killing me....I'm free whenever.  Let's go....you can even bring your Revos    

I don't know.  Maybe the Zillion does feel a little more solid.  If I concede that though you have to give me that the Revo feels solid enough to make it 5++ years.  By that time the latest greatest thing will have come out, and I will have been converting to those for some time.  I've only had the Zillion out one trip so I might be a lillte premature in my review.

If you are available anytime you have missed a lot of Wed's when you could of been fishing.  Just let me know when you want to go.  You are welcome anytime.  I go to Fork this time of year just about every week so we can finally get you on out there.

[cart7t]

Hi all,

I've read the posts comparing the Revo's and the Zillions and it seems like a lot of it is simply personal preference.

I think my question is a little different. Rumor is that the Revo has a "sweet spot" or, in other words, if you attempt to cast too hard or too quickly, the reel will backlash. Is there any truth to this? I hope you all can help answer this question and hopefully I've added to the discussion.

Thanks in advance.

The Revo's do a whole lotta things right.

Their one achilles heel is the braking system. Specifically the linear mag braking system. It's probably why Skeet Reese chose the Centrifugal brake for his own signature model.

I switched to Pflueger Patriarchs. The reel has the same Revo ergonomics as it sits on the rod. Getting the LP version gives you a little less line than a Revo but more than plenty for virtually all fishing applications. The big difference is the braking. Dual braking. What's more impressive is the Pflueger style mag braking works better than the Revo if you were to compare them side by side.

Considering that Garcia and Pflueger are both Pure Fishing companies, I can't believe Garcia is still holding onto those braking systems they're using on the Revo's.