Ardent XS1000 Review.... Confused?

[trevor]

I have read this review several times, and I just am not sure what Tackle Tour was thinking when they wrote it. HERE IS THE LINK:http://www.tackletour.com/reviewardentxs1000.html

Major Pros listed by Tackle Tour -

:)With that newness comes the uphill battle of gaining ground on companies that have years of engineering experience ahead of them, but Ardent is making great strides. Comparing the first of their reels we saw at ICAST just a few short years ago to the ones we saw just last year, it is obvious they've made some substantial enhancements.

:)When casting heavier lures such as a half ounce Berkley jig with trailer or a half ounce River2Sea Crystal Spin spinnerbait, all the reels mentioned above including the Ardent XS1000 performed well with marginal discrepancies.

:)The retrieve on the Ardent baitcast reel is actually quite impressive. It's very smooth and fast thanks to high quality ABEC 5 bearings Ardent chose to use in the XS1000 reel. Under load, cranking feels effortless and quite powerful when working lures and hauling in fish. Speaking of the handle, when I spun the knobs, I was amazed at how fast and long they would spin. I don't think I've ever seen a knob spin this fast and freely, for the same duration of time.

:)The drag performed well on the water.

:)Though not the lightest in its class the Ardent XS1000 weighs in at only 7.9 ounces even though the company specifies 8.7 ounces on paper.

:)In terms of comfort, the XS1000l feels pretty good in hand when palming. The shape of the reel fits into my hand quite well and is comfortable to grasp all day fishing. The handle knobs are large and easy to grip, and are made of a soft firm rubber material that's welcoming to the fingers.

:)The frame, mechanics, and various components are still going strong. This was one of Ardent's intentions, to build a reel that'll last trip after trip and even long enough to pass onto your grandchildren.

:)The reel's durability is respectable and the XS1000 does feature excellent components including the master gearing, drag washer, and bearings. Though the frame is lightweight, the addition of the bearings really increases the overall weight, and that's something anglers need to understand. If you want smooth and long lasting bearings over bushings, then the reel's weight will increase.

Cons listed by Tackle Tour -

>:(The Ardent XS1000 isn't the most futuristic looking reel.

>:(But when casting a lighter lure some of the competition especially the Revo Premier and Daiwa Steez outperformed the Ardent baitcast reel.

>:(The cover swings out of the way, but you have no access to the brakes with your bare fingers. Instead you would have to use a tool small enough to reach in between the slots.

>:(When it comes to maintenance, Ardent recommends that you send the reel back to their shop for servicing. I think I know why after I took it apart.

>:(First the non-handle side plate: The way it is held in place is not very secure. While it does not come loose while fishing per se, it can separate from the frame leaving a small crack while palming the reel and opening up the potential for a pinch of your skin.

>:(So how come the Ardent XS1000 is heavier than others? The Shimano Core comes in at 6.1 ounces and Daiwa Fuego 7.6 ounces. The Ardent XS1000 weighs in at 7.9 ounces even though Ardent specifies that it weighs 8.7 ounces. The XS1000 at 7.9 ounces isn't too far off from the Fuego at 7.6, but still not as lightweight as the Core or say the Daiwa Steez.

>:(they might be turned off by a price point of $249.99.

Seems like most of the cons are pretty minor things... appearance and .3 oz of weight? :-/

[Micro]

I've never seen a really good review on this reel.  I've never fished one but have cast a friend's.  The thing that bugs me the most is that the front is too high off the rod.  If you like to wrap your index finger around the front of the reel, the pawl rubs back and forth against your finger.   I'm sure I'd find more to hate about it if I owned one, after seeing TT's photos.  The reel is bizarrely designed.

[slonezp]

>:(When it comes to maintenance, Ardent recommends that you send the reel back to their shop for servicing. I think I know why after I took it apart.

I talked with the guy who fixes my reels. He claims he has been trying to get the "In" with Ardent for awhile and has had zero luck. He wants to fix their reels but aparrently they are made from magical pixie dust and fixing them is a big secret. I don't know about their casting reels but I own a F500 flipping reel and couldn't be happier.

[BobP]

Well, the 'cons' may each be minor or not, depending on what you think is important but even if you feel they are minor - if the competition has fewer of them, which is the rational choice?  Personally, a loose side plate that would leak water, plus less than great performance with light lures, plus suggesting only the factory should service the reel are significant 'cons' to me.  They may not be important to you and you might love owning one.  Thanks to competition, we can both get reels we like.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

>:(When it comes to maintenance, Ardent recommends that you send the reel back to their shop for servicing. I think I know why after I took it apart.

I talked with the guy who fixes my reels. He claims he has been trying to get the "In" with Ardent for awhile and has had zero luck. He wants to fix their reels but aparrently they are made from magical pixie dust and fixing them is a big secret. I don't know about their casting reels but I own a F500 flipping reel and couldn't be happier.

I just had an Ardent on the bench last week and the inside looks very much like a Curado or other Shimano.

[trevor]

Well, the 'cons' may each be minor or not, depending on what you think is important but even if you feel they are minor - if the competition has fewer of them, which is the rational choice? Personally, a loose side plate that would leak water, plus less than great performance with light lures, plus suggesting only the factory should service the reel are significant 'cons' to me. They may not be important to you and you might love owning one. Thanks to competition, we can both get reels we like.

About the lighter lures - The Daiwa Steez should not even be compared, its so much more expensive.

[cart7t]

If you're going to spend $250 for a fishing reel, I certainly wouldn't rely on reviews from fishing websites (especially that one) as a deciding factor.

[vapredhunter]

Ok I own two XS1000 reels and they are right there the ugliest reels I've ever seen but I've been fishing 30yrs and have never seen a baitcaster cast a light lure as far with out a backlash as this reel can and I would recommend this reel to anyone it gets 10 stars from me.......... Great reels

[Pantera61]

If you're going to spend $250 for a fishing reel, I certainly wouldn't rely on reviews from fishing websites (especially that one) as a deciding factor.

I would have to agree with the first half of your statement but totally disagree with the second. 

[trevor]

If you're going to spend $250 for a fishing reel, I certainly wouldn't rely on reviews from fishing websites (especially that one) as a deciding factor.

I would have to agree with the first half of your statement but totally disagree with the second.

What are the first and second halves of his statement?  ;D

[northern basser]

If your really interested in one I would go somewhere that has a good return policy and get one.  Then take it out a couple,three times right away and decide whether to keep it or bring it back.

Or just get a shimano and never look back.

[Pantera61]

If you're going to spend $250 for a fishing reel, I certainly wouldn't rely on reviews from fishing websites (especially that one) as a deciding factor.

I would have to agree with the first half of your statement but totally disagree with the second.

What are the first and second halves of his statement? ;D

First Half:

If you're going to spend $250 for a fishing reel, I certainly wouldn't rely on reviews from fishing websites

Second Half:

(especially that one - re:  TackleTour) as a deciding factor.

[Al Wolbach]

Ok I own two XS1000 reels and they are right there the ugliest reels I've ever seen but I've been fishing 30yrs and have never seen a baitcaster cast a light lure as far with out a backlash as this reel can and I would recommend this reel to anyone it gets 10 stars from me.......... Great reels

I own three of them and very pleased..............Al

[trevor]

If your really interested in one I would go somewhere that has a good return policy and get one. Then take it out a couple,three times right away and decide whether to keep it or bring it back.

Or just get a shimano and never look back.

Don't you mean Daiwa?  :-?

But I really love how Ardent is 100% Made in USA - even their t-shirts and packaging.

[Thefishy1]

Well for $15-20 bucks you can try it yourself and make up your mind. This sounds like a good idea for everyone looking at the reels in their program.

http://www.***.com/demoprogram.html?page=demoprogram

[CCP]

Yeah, demo the reel for yourself and see what you think. I think tackletour is a little biased on some things

[northern basser]

Well for $15-20 bucks you can try it yourself and make up your mind. This sounds like a good idea for everyone looking at the reels in their program.

http://www.***.com/demoprogram.html?page=demoprogram

That's a good setup.  Wish I would have known that earlier than now.

[vapredhunter]

There great reels you would be more then happy. Like I said I have 2 of them. I cant tell you how much I paid for mine that would make you sick. Ok I will the local Gander Mountain store is doing a remodel so they have everything in the fishing department on clearance. I bought 3 - 219.00 Castaway rods and 2 - 269.00 XS1000 reels. I paid 238.00 for all The reels were 67.00 each. My fishing buddy bought 4 of them. They also had the 199.00 XS600 marked at 50.00

[flippin and pitchin]

I said it before and I'll say it again, I would give anything to see an American made reel that performed as well as the competition. Unfortunately my local dealer had everyone of the X1000's they sold come back. The last one is still on the counter at 99.99. I'm rooting for you Ardent but you're not there yet.