Sustain or Stradic CI4

[midnighthrasher]

i got a sustain and i really like it but im hearing good things about the CI4. Anyone tried both and have a comparison for me????

[roadwarrior]

I have never been particularly impressed with the

Sustain. I would get the Stradic CI4. I have only

fished the reel for a short time on a couple of

occasions. I do not own the CI4, but I'm almost

embarrassed to admit, it fished comparably to

my Stellas.

:-[

[midnighthrasher]

I have never been particularly impressed with the

Sustain. I would get the Stradic CI4. I have only

fished the reel for a short time on a couple of

occasions. I do not own the CI4, but I'm almost

embarrassed to admit, it fished comparably to

my Stellas.

:-[

So you would say better than a sustain??? I would love a stella but i dont want to spend that much.

[roadwarrior]

I think so. The Sustain is a fine reel, but it's just

not worth the premium. I bought one right, but have

never really understood the target market at this

pricing point.

8-)

[b.Lee]

Ci4 is far better, and I agree witht he Stella comparison.

[Skunked in DR]

So am I the only person who doesn't like the new EVA grip?

I want to buy one, I love Shimano spinning reels, I use Stradics and one Saros.  I keep playing with the CI4, so smooth, so light, but I can't get past the grip, its just really uncomfortable.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I would say CI4, I have had one for a few months and I think you'd have a hard time finding a comparable reel for $200.  I felt the Sustain when I bought the Stradic and wasn't that impressed.  I really like the foam knob.

[d.hark]

So am I the only person who doesn't like the new EVA grip?

I want to buy one, I love Shimano spinning reels, I use Stradics and one Saros. I keep playing with the CI4, so smooth, so light, but I can't get past the grip, its just really uncomfortable.

I played with one in BPS and I gotta say I didnt like it either. I am not so sure its the foam though, rather  the shape of it. If it were foam and "T" shaped I think I would love it!! The round or cone shaped handle just doesnt feel right to me

[Bronzefly]

I am personally a fan of the Sustain FE model. It feels more solid, smoother, better built, and yes, heavier than the Ci4 Stradic in my hands.  The Stradic Ci4 has the sleek, sexy, light weight thing going - and is an outstanding value at its price point, no doubt it's a fine reel.

I am a huge fan of the Stella, and can say without hesitation that the Stradic Ci4 is not even in the same league as the Stella FD seres in my opinion. Nor should it be considering the MSRP difference.

[0119]

Yesterday I caught a 12lb Snook on my CI4 2500.  It had an amazingly smooth drag.  Its incredible how tough and smooth it is considering its noticibly smaller than typical 2500 size spinning reels Ive had.   I can only imagine how smooth and solid a Stella is.

[small_limit]

I have never owned nor fished the Stella.  But for $200, the CI4 is an amazing reel.  If you compare the weight to the Steez, it's almost the same and is about 1/3 the cost. 

In the recent past, I've switched over to Daiwa spinning reels because I like their drags better.  But ... with the introduction of the CI4, I think Shimano is back in the game.

I'm a bass fisherman, so light weight and a smooth drag is what I'm looking for.  The CI4 fits the bill.