If you are looking to buy a Quantum Smoke PT, Please Read

[ah_long]

Here's an email I shot to Quantum:

Hi,

My name is Long and me and my friend have just purchased one of your Quantum smoke 101 from Lebaron at the Toronto Sportsmen Show.

I was very excited for the launch of this reel and I was one of the lucky (or should I say unlucky) customers to be able to acquire one as they are selling very well.

Unfortunately, my friend who have purchased another reel with me has brought a few issues of the reel to my attention:

1. the ported handles have very very poor finish, the porting is poorly done with a very rough finish inside, the backside of the handle (the side facing inward) is very sharp as well. The first four pictures should show this problem.

2. the ported drag star exhibits the same issue as the handle, small chunks of metal can still be seen inside the port.

3. there's still glue behind the grips (it's very tough to remove)(last two pictures)

4. when you open the reel, there seems to be a spot where it wasn't painted (no picture shown)

I have tried return it to Lebaron, but since it's final sale, there would not be any exchanges available. They have offered me an exchange for the same reel but all of them has exhibited the same problems.

Being a Shimano user (Curado and Core MG), I have never experienced such issues. I was hoping to switch over to Quantum but so far the Smoke PT has been telling me otherwise.

What I'm seeing on the reel surely doesn't match up to what your website claims "All PT reels begin with single-piece aluminum frames, each machined with computer-guided precision, to hold all critical components in perfect alignment. "

As you are probably aware that Tackle Tour has done a recent review on the Quantum Smoke, judging from the pictures from their review, it seems that their specimen does not exhibit the problems I am having. Right now, I am reluctant to recommend this reel to any more of my friends and to other fishing forum users and enthusiasts. I'm hoping that Quantum could make this right.

Yours Truly,

Chun Long Chan

They have replied and asked me to ship the reel at my own expense to the States (I live in Toronto, Canada)... however, upon further clarification, all I could do at the moment is to bring it in to Mississauga and hope for the best (not sure if they would change the parts or swap the reel, as well as the time frame)... I have followed up and requested for someone to contact me, but it seems no one is working

This is definitely not the service I expect from a company as big as Quantum, and the finish of the reel is definitely not worthy of the $200 price. It doesn't seem to me that Quantum is willing to stand behind their products.

The quality of the reel is definitely not as claimed on their website

All PT reels begin with single-piece aluminum frames, each machined with computer-guided precision, to hold all critical components in perfect alignment.

I have learnt my lesson and I will from now on inspect every reel that I am going to purchase... I have been spoiled by Shimano and Daiwa for many years

Here are some pictures for reference

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050475/web.jpg?ver=13007184420001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050476/web.jpg?ver=13007184540001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050477/web.jpg?ver=13007184670001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050478/web.jpg?ver=13007184820001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050479/web.jpg?ver=13007184990001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050480/web.jpg?ver=13007185160001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050481/web.jpg?ver=13007185300001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050482/web.jpg?ver=13007209100001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050484/web.jpg?ver=13007185610001

http://gallery.me.com/longlong/100632/P1050485/web.jpg?ver=13007185820001

[MaxumBass]

That does look like some shoddy workmanship.... :-[

[scrutch]

I got 3 casts out of a Quantum KVD Sig series reel before it locked up and died.

That was all it took for me.  I'm done with Quantum baitcasters.

[ChiCityBasser]

I got 3 casts out of a Quantum KVD Sig series reel before it locked up and died.

That was all it took for me. I'm done with Quantum baitcasters.

If thats the black BPS exclusive reel then that would have made me stop using them also.

[grimlin]

Open up your precious curado E7 and pull out the spool.Notice all those grooves inside the wall frame.  Yet it doesn't effect performance.

You must have been CNC machinist to even notice those flaws on the handle on that Quantum.

I still don't haven't had any problems with my Accurist reels.

[scrutch]

I got 3 casts out of a Quantum KVD Sig series reel before it locked up and died.

That was all it took for me. I'm done with Quantum baitcasters.

If thats the black BPS exclusive reel then that would have made me stop using them also.

twas

[ChiCityBasser]

I got 3 casts out of a Quantum KVD Sig series reel before it locked up and died.

That was all it took for me. I'm done with Quantum baitcasters.

If thats the black BPS exclusive reel then that would have made me stop using them also.

twas

Seems any of those "bargain" store reels always have issues. Had the same problem with the BPS exclusive spinning reel and returned it for the Catalyst PTi-B I originally intended to get but settled for the BPS reel. I returned the BPS exclusive reel after some time on the water with it and got the Catalyst. No problems in the 2.5 yrs I have owned and used it. 

[lynyrdsky1]

Oh Im getting tired of my KVD Spinning reel it has so many problems. I got it on sale but still a waste of 40 dollars.

[CWilliams]

When I got back into fishing, a few years ago, the guy at bass pro talked me into a quantum KVD kv1000cxd. I fished with it twice and gave it to a guy I fish with regularly. He offered to pay me for it and I declined. I wouldnt risk a friendship taking money for the reel. It was my most expensive reel at the time and was noticeably worse in all areas than my cheaper reels. I learned my lesson.

[tholmes]

Wow, that right there is some poor quality control.

While I've owned some really good Quantum spinning reels, my first Quantum baitcasater shot craps after exactly two fish. That, combined with Quantum's total lack of customer support, assured that it would be my last.

Tom

[px68]

i used to use quantum but now i am daiwa guy because daiwa reel is perfect and flawless

[ChiCityBasser]

When I got back into fishing, a few years ago, the guy at bass pro talked me into a quantum KVD kv1000cxd. I fished with it twice and gave it to a guy I fish with regularly. He offered to pay me for it and I declined. I wouldnt risk a friendship taking money for the reel. It was my most expensive reel at the time and was noticeably worse in all areas than my cheaper reels. I learned my lesson.

That reel is always on sale or clearance at BPS as it is normally $100 but usually on sale for $80 and sounds like a better deal during the BPS classic. If you are interested in a quantum reel I would go with one of the PT series. I had the same issues with the BPS reel as I got one and never felt smooth after some time on the water. I cleaned it up and returned it and got another quantum. No problems with that one or any of my other quantum reels.

[CWilliams]

When I got back into fishing, a few years ago, the guy at bass pro talked me into a quantum KVD kv1000cxd. I fished with it twice and gave it to a guy I fish with regularly. He offered to pay me for it and I declined. I wouldnt risk a friendship taking money for the reel. It was my most expensive reel at the time and was noticeably worse in all areas than my cheaper reels. I learned my lesson.

That reel is always on sale or clearance at BPS as it is normally $100 but usually on sale for $80 and sounds like a better deal during the BPS classic. If you are interested in a quantum reel I would go with one of the PT series. I had the same issues with the BPS reel as I got one and never felt smooth after some time on the water. I cleaned it up and returned it and got another quantum. No problems with that one or any of my other quantum reels.

I have no doubt quantum makes better reels. I paid $150 at the time. I also bought a Rick Clunn reel at the same time for less than $100. After fishing with both I felt ripped off for purchasing the KVD. Like I said, I am sure they make better reels.....I just wont be buying them.

I also stopped relying on employees of these types of store for help with purchasing decisions.

[scrutch]

When I got back into fishing, a few years ago, the guy at bass pro talked me into a quantum KVD kv1000cxd. I fished with it twice and gave it to a guy I fish with regularly. He offered to pay me for it and I declined. I wouldnt risk a friendship taking money for the reel. It was my most expensive reel at the time and was noticeably worse in all areas than my cheaper reels. I learned my lesson.

That reel is always on sale or clearance at BPS as it is normally $100 but usually on sale for $80 and sounds like a better deal during the BPS classic. If you are interested in a quantum reel I would go with one of the PT series. I had the same issues with the BPS reel as I got one and never felt smooth after some time on the water. I cleaned it up and returned it and got another quantum. No problems with that one or any of my other quantum reels.

I have no doubt quantum makes better reels. I paid $150 at the time. I also bought a Rick Clunn reel at the same time for less than $100. After fishing with both I felt ripped off for purchasing the KVD. Like I said, I am sure they make better reels.....I just wont be buying them.

I also stopped relying on employees of these types of store for help with purchasing decisions.

This place right here is the best place to get this kind of advice.

[Rangerphil]

I currently have 6 quantum baitcasters and 3 spinning reels and never had any issues with them. I just looked at the smoke today and liked it, but I will look long and hard before I purchase! Thanks for the heads up!

[ah_long]

there's no doubt that this is a great product if it's properly done..

it's smooth and it's light... and it looks great...

for ~$200 it's probably the lightest reel you can get... if my copy of the reel was actually done right, it would rank it right between the Curado and the Core MG

[Raul]

I may be a Sheemano/Daiwa man but somewhere said: for looking at the straw in your neighboor 's eye you don 't see the beam in yours. I love my Chronachs 50 Mg, the clear coat sux ( it peels away ), Curado D 's were recalled or Shimano sent you the parts to solve the binding problem in the first lot of the series, Daiwa ? well, they also have skeletons in the closet.

[CWB]

Is it possible you got a non-production model or demo?

Looks like cosmetic issues that would not affect performance. I do not own a Smoke but have 2 Accurists and an Energy and have yet to have an issue.

I agree the craftsmanship in the pictures is not up to snuff, and I do manage a CNC machine shop. The model I picked up and looked ovet at the Spring Classic was very nicely finished. Looks like the grooves in the crank were roughed out and not polished. Same wth the back part where the handle pad is and the drag star. Not polished and anodized prior to installing the handles. I don't recall you mentioning if performance was poor but I would be ticked at the finish as well. Good luck.

Tackle Tour rated it pretty good, giving it the Editors choice, for what that's worth.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewquantumsmoke.html

[Nibbles]

I may be a Sheemano/Daiwa man but somewhere said: for looking at the straw in your neighboor 's eye you don 't see the beam in yours. I love my Chronachs 50 Mg, the clear coat sux ( it peels away ), Curado D 's were recalled or Shimano sent you the parts to solve the binding problem in the first lot of the series, Daiwa ? well, they also have skeletons in the closet.

The Alphas Ito had bare metal so it tarnishes like a mofo. One of mine also has slightly sloppy work in the handle porting, and the red paint used for the accents got onto parts of the handle it wasn't supposed to touch.

The Alphas R-Edition's spool apparently doesn't have a R-tuned rotor. I didn't learn about that till after I already jumped on one. How's that for ticking people off?

As for Shimano, my Conquest 50S has porting all over it. Not all of them are done perfectly smoothly. But you know what, that's fine with me. The Curado E7's had an issue where you would occasionally end up with a dud with tons of backplay. If you think about it, Shimanos in general get a lot of complaints regarding backplay.

[Raul]

The Alphas R-Edition's spool apparently doesn't have a R-tuned rotor. I didn't learn about that till after I already jumped on one. 

Neither does the Itö.

The hole edges in the spools of my Chronarchs, Curado SF, Chronarch Mg, Scorpion Mg, Scorpion 1000, Metanium XT and if I remember correctly Calais 100A are rough and quite sharp to the touch, the famous Shimano handle back play ?

Still, they are nice reels don 'tcha think ? 

[Grey Wolf]

i used to use quantum but now i am daiwa guy because daiwa reel is perfect and flawless

Says you.

[Nibbles]

The Alphas R-Edition's spool apparently doesn't have a R-tuned rotor. I didn't learn about that till after I already jumped on one.

Neither does the Itö.

The hole edges in the spools of my Chronarchs, Curado SF, Chronarch Mg, Scorpion Mg, Scorpion 1000, Metanium XT and if I remember correctly Calais 100A are rough and quite sharp to the touch, the famous Shimano handle back play ?

Still, they are nice reels don 'tcha think ?

Thank goodness I already knew about the Ito thing before I bought them. Otherwise, when combined with the Alphas R-Edition blunder, I might have quit Daiwa altogether.

I hear you about the sharp edges in Shimano spools though. I was taking out the spool on my old Curado 100D and gave myself a nice 3/4" gash on the index finger when my hand slipped.

[Whets Lines]

I had 3 Quantum PTs. I thought all of them were solidly built. They all looked great and I had no issues with the quality. That said, I've sold all of them. I didn't like their braking system. It was either too much or too little. This was just a personal preference on my part. Unless they change that, I'll not buy more. Again, this is just a personal preference regarding the amount of adjustability a reel has for my style of casting and ability.

Whets

8-)

[HookSetDon]

I got 3 casts out of a Quantum KVD Sig series reel before it locked up and died.

That was all it took for me. I'm done with Quantum baitcasters.

If thats the black BPS exclusive reel then that would have made me stop using them also.

Are you guys talking about the Quantum kv100cd kvd signature series reel, in black? I purchased this one from bps last year on sale for like 90 bucks, nothing but problems for me.... keep getting line breaks on the cast bc the line gets stuck in the side of the spool and housing.... still have the box and its in great condition, a year later do you think I can return / exchange it?

[djmax22]

Remember the PT Burners (blue ones). Now that was POS.