Revo STX or Revo Premier.

[CWB]

Need some advice quick. I ordered 1 of each of the above reels but have not received them yet. I have a chance to buy 1 more of either one and need some advice. Regardless of price, which would be the better all around choice. Please no Shimano or Daiwa are better posts.

Those are the only 2 choices I have. Any help from anyone who has experience with both would be appreciated.

[burleytog]

Lighter is better.  

[CWB]

Lighter is better.

Don't you want to know how I got your picture for my Avatar? ;D

[Uncle Leo]

Premier, the brake is much easier to set. At least that is what I found between my STX and Premier.

[DINK WHISPERER]

I have owned both and hated the Premier! Lightness was all it had on its side! Whoever says they are almost the same has never used both. The drag on the Premier was weak and it was not nearly as smooth as the STX! When Tackle Warehouse put the STX on sale i ended up replacing all my SX and S Revos with them (10 total)! IMO, the STX is the best in the Revo line up(i have used almost every Revo they made)!

[Koop]

Facts are:

Premier is lighter.

Both have carbon matrix drag systems

Both have Linear Mag Brake system

This being said, on paper they are pretty much the same reel, except the Premier is lighter and has added price, comes in only 6.4:1.

I have fished both and it just comes down to the reel being lighter, they are identical otherwise.

[CWB]

I have owned both and hated the Premier! Lightness was all it had on its side! Whoever says they are almost the same has never used both. The drag on the Premier was weak and it was not nearly as smooth as the STX! When Tackle Warehouse put the STX on sale i ended up replacing all my SX and S Revos with them (10 total)! IMO, the STX is the best in the Revo line up(i have used almost every Revo they made)!

I've read that about the drag also but up here, a 5 pounder is big.

Using 12 lb. line, drag doesn't factor in that much.

As far as casting performance and smoothness did you notice a big difference?

[DINK WHISPERER]

Facts are:

Premier is lighter.

Both have carbon matrix drag systems

Both have Linear Mag Brake system

This being said, on paper they are pretty much the same reel, except the Premier is lighter and has added price, comes in only 6.4:1.

I have fished both and it just comes down to the reel being lighter, they are identical otherwise.

The Premier is only rated at 12lbs of drag though and it will only push about 10!

CWB: The premier i noticed did not cast as far as the STX. I also got more back lashes with it! It just did not feel smooth or strong enough for my style of fishing!

[infamous512]

This is the same question I've been thinking in my head for a while now. lol They are both great reels but they have ups and downs. The premier is equipped with better bearings, slightly larger handle, much lighter, and claims to be smoother than stx. The downside to the premier is its graphite non cranking side cover, 12lb drag, and less bearings than stx. However, I had stx for couple of weeks and i loved it until Abu released redesigned revo lineups during ICAST '09 show, so i returned it.

Since you ordered 1 of each, why don't you wait until upgraded/redesigned 2010 revo stx & the premier? Should be coming out in a couple of weeks.

[Uncle Leo]

I wonder, how many bearings truly come into play when casting? Just so many can be mounted on a spool. Also how much drag is truly needed to successfully land a fish. I wonder if the power and action of the rod and test of the line needs to be considered. Seems to me that there are many fine reels out there with 5 bearings and 11-12 lbs of drag that perform well, these included.

[dmac14]

I think it comes down to preference, I own two STX's and love them. I have heard mixed reviews about the premiers so I will stick with my STX's until I get to try out a Premier.

[CWB]

I wonder, how many bearings truly come into play when casting? Just so many can be mounted on a spool. Also how much drag is truly needed to successfully land a fish. I wonder if the power and action of the rod and test of the line needs to be considered. Seems to me that there are many fine reels out there with 5 bearings and 11-12 lbs of drag that perform well, these included.

Excellent point. Bearings in the handles are nice but I believe the Premier does not incorporate this due to added weight.

Drag for me usually comes into play if I happen to hook a large Musky.

I use 12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid and 12-15 lb Big Game. Haven't hooked a bass that broke either of these but you do want it to slip a bit on a hard run, especially close to the boat. I'm still on the fence and need to decide today. Any more input?

[bigtimfish]

STX

[SPEEDBEAD.]

As far as the "I dont need that much drag" point, look at it this way:

When people discuss trolling motors, it is recommended that you get the biggest motor you can afford.  Reasoning behind this is that you can adjust the power/speed down incrementaly to zero, but you can only go up to the maximum speed or power.

I like that same option with a reel's drag in certain situations.  I would much rather have the ability to crank a reel's drag waaaaay down.

We're all guys here.  I am sure you realize it's better to have too much and not need it, than not enough wishing you had more.   ;D

[21farms]

if you're going to have three reels, don't get three all-around reels...start to specialize. so, if the STX that you already have on the way is a 6.4:1, then i'd say get the STX-HS with the 7.1:1. otherwise, get the premier...at almost 1.5 ounces lighter than the STX, you'll enjoy fishing it longer and more often.

[CWB]

As far as the "I dont need that much drag" point, look at it this way:

When people discuss trolling motors, it is recommended that you get the biggest motor you can afford. Reasoning behind this is that you can adjust the power/speed down incrementaly to zero, but you can only go up to the maximum speed or power.

I like that same option with a reel's drag in certain situations. I would much rather have the ability to crank a reel's drag waaaaay down.

We're all guys here. I am sure you realize it's better to have too much and not need it, than not enough wishing you had more. ;D

Excellent point Speed, but I think drag smoothness to me would be more important than what poundage it is rated for. Not exactly sure how drag power is calculated but if I'm using 12 lb. line, do I need 23 lb. of drag pressure? Does 12 lb. drag pressure mean that's as tight as you can set it? It will then slip at 12 lb. no matter how tight it is set?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

One of the STX's I ordered is going on a frog rod.  Another is going on my flipping stick.

Both situations, I will be using at least 50lb braid and I will be "horsing" the fish to the boat.  I like my thumb to be on the frame of the reel, not the spool.

The added drag pressure allows me to take my thumb off the spool and place it in a more natural position for me.

[CWB]

One of the STX's I ordered is going on a frog rod. Another is going on my flipping stick.

Both situations, I will be using at least 50lb braid and I will be "horsing" the fish to the boat. I like my thumb to be on the frame of the reel, not the spool.

The added drag pressure allows me to take my thumb off the spool and place it in a more natural position for me.

Makes sense.

[Dan:]

Do you know what rod you want to put it on? If so, will that rod balance out with the lighter reel or will it be more balanced with the heavier STX?

[ArcticCat500]

I laid an order down on TW for an STX HS, I cant wait to get her mounted up. I've a feeling Im may like this better then my Curado with all the positive responses going on in here.

[Uncle Leo]

I laid an order down on TW for an STX HS, I cant wait to get her mounted up. I've a feeling Im may like this better then my Curado with all the positive responses going on in here.

CWB asked for Shimano not to be mentioned so thanks for the opening. Seriously no way if your talking about the Curado 200 that you have. Less drag of course versus the STX but that reel is sweet. Sorry Ken.

[CWB]

I laid an order down on TW for an STX HS, I cant wait to get her mounted up. I've a feeling Im may like this better then my Curado with all the positive responses going on in here.

CWB asked for Shimano not to be mentioned so thanks for the opening. Seriously no way if your talking about the Curado 200 that you have. Less drag of course versus the STX but that reel is sweet. Sorry Ken.

I knew you were laying in the weeds waiting for an opening to pounce.

No worries. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however misguided.

;D

[ArcticCat500]

I laid an order down on TW for an STX HS, I cant wait to get her mounted up. I've a feeling Im may like this better then my Curado with all the positive responses going on in here.

CWB asked for Shimano not to be mentioned so thanks for the opening. Seriously no way if your talking about the Curado 200 that you have. Less drag of course versus the STX but that reel is sweet. Sorry Ken.

I knew you were laying in the weeds waiting for an opening to pounce.

No worries. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however misguided.

;D

Sorry Uncle Leo & CWB, although theres never a mention of the curado being better, it clearly states "I may"  sorry again guys.

[Uncle Leo]

I laid an order down on TW for an STX HS, I cant wait to get her mounted up. I've a feeling Im may like this better then my Curado with all the positive responses going on in here.

CWB asked for Shimano not to be mentioned so thanks for the opening. Seriously no way if your talking about the Curado 200 that you have. Less drag of course versus the STX but that reel is sweet. Sorry Ken.

I knew you were laying in the weeds waiting for an opening to pounce.

No worries. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however misguided.

;D

Sorry Uncle Leo & CWB, although theres never a mention of the curado being better, it clearly states "I may" sorry again guys.

That's okay we all know the Curado is better.

Like Sox over the Cubs

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[J Francho]

I wonder, how many bearings truly come into play when casting? Just so many can be mounted on a spool. Also how much drag is truly needed to successfully land a fish. I wonder if the power and action of the rod and test of the line needs to be considered. Seems to me that there are many fine reels out there with 5 bearings and 11-12 lbs of drag that perform well, these included.

On most baitcasters, just two or three. There is a shaft support bearing on the palm side, another shaft support close to the spool and before the pinion, and on some reels the bearing under the cast control knob comes into play.

As far as the second question goes, it depends on a lot of things like cover, substrate, length of cast, etc.

I will say this, the STX max drag rating is highly exaggerated.  It may be there when new, but it isn't there after some use.  The Revo carbon matrix washers are nothing like the aftermarket Carbontex sold by Smooth Drags.