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

[KYntucky Warmouth]

Honestly, you should have at least looked at it and gave the handle a few turns before buying it.  I never buy a reel in person before at least looking it over and making sure it feels ok.  I would say that was a demo reel if i had to guess but there's no way to know. 

It's not just Quantum that has rough spots on their record, they've all had flops and things get missed.  Before e21 moved the warranty center to OH they wanted me to ship a rod to them in Canada and pay for return shipping on a replacement + $40 for service...it would have come out to close to twice the price I payed for the rod....some warranty  :

[Fat-G]

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.

Agreed, every company has their blips, it just seems like Quantum has far more than others.

[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.

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?

Yeah that's the reel and I had mine maybe 2 days before I returned and exchanged it for the Quantum Catalyst.

[ChiCityBasser]

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.

Agreed, every company has their blips, it just seems like Quantum has far more than others.

Did he actually use the reel for fishing or just want to inspect it and yeah quantum has had plenty of blips in the past as guys have pointed out on the forum.

[rubba bubba]

but somewhere said: for looking at the straw in your neighboor 's eye you don 't see the beam in yours.

Mathew 7:3,5

Luke 6:42

[TrippyJai]

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.

This. All my shimano E reels have backplay and some more than the other. Although the reel works perfectly fine, it does bother me sometimes. I've learned not to be such a snob because it's costing me too much money. I will just beat them up for along as I can and buy a new reel when one needs to be replaced.

[bear7625]

Whether we buy Quantum,Shimano,etc, we all know we are paying something for the name. It shouldn't matter if you pay $50 or $250 for a reel. You exspect quality because of the name behind the product. You also want them to stand behind their product. They should never forget the power of "word of mouth" advertising. It can hurt them for a long time.

[Bass Junkie]

   I have two of the Quantum Shaw Grigsby series baitcasters and love them. I have had no problem with them, and I put reels through their paces. That being said, they are older models, and I know guys who love the older models..... I too was talking to an associate at a sporting goods store (No names) and wound up talking about the newly released (at that time) Smokes. He said he wouldn't go near them. apparently he had two of them and they both had numerous issues, as did more recent Quantum productions. Cosmetics bubbling, rattles, gear problems.... I have not personally used any of the new Quantums for that reason, as Quantums service is, shall we say, lacking and it would be a MAJOR pain to replace one. And I  honestly wouldn't want a replacement if the thing failed me once......

[Raul]

The end of the story is: the reel was returned to where he got it from and got a refund.

[baluga]

Amen to that!

[RoLo]

I've related this story a few years back, but we have a lot more members since that time.

This incident goes back to circa 1990, but even though that was a long time ago,

it's amazing how business trends tend to persist.

In preparation for a pike trip to Lake Huron, I was in the market for two new casting reels.

I found exactly what I was looking for at Efingers Sport Shop in Bound Brook, NJ.

The salesman, who was also a personal friend, advised me in hush tones to stay away from Quantum reels.

Skeptically, I asked him how so? and he replied, "Quantum reels have faulty gearing".

As a tool & die maker by trade, this didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

I thanked him for his advise but went ahead and purchased two new Quantum casting reels with spiffy red sideplates.

On my second day on Georgian Bay, Ontario I was pumping a trophy-class pike to the boat.

In mid-battle the thumb-bar suddenly lost communication with the reel handle, and the spool failed to engage.

Long story short, I ended up losing that pike. Two days later, my wife's Quantum reel also malfunctioned,

yet another gear-related issue. I now realized that I owed my friend an apology,

and placed Quantum reels on my Personal Blacklist (haven't purchased one since).

Yes, the reels were still under warranty, but I'm pigheaded about slapdash workmanship.

Instead of a long trip back to the manufacturer, both reels made a short trip to the dumpster.

To keep things in perspective, the above pertains only to Quantum reels. In fairness to Quantum,

I have since purchased two Quantum PT Tour spinning rods (now discontinued).

I have only praise for that rod, which I believe is on par with the best high-end blanks.

Well, when you consider the money-making machine that Quantum has on their team,

a positive product-report should come as no surprise.

Roger

[guitarkid]

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.

you would be surprised what is stamped steel/aluminum/what ever.

   -gk

[ChiCityBasser]

Glad he was able to return the reel and get a full refund.

I was in Cabelas today and they have a Smoke 101HPT in a display case with a couple of other higher priced reels. After reading the comments and seeing the pics I asked a salemans to let me take a look at the reel so I could really look it over. The reel had None of the problems or flaws or bad machine work like those displayed on the reel pics. The handle and drag star and also the knobs were all machined as you would expect from a reel in this price range. It is ultra light and I like the matte finish of the reel as well.

I put it on layaway and it will be paired with either the Prodigy Micro rod , the Smoke rod or the Cabelas XMLTi rod I have already with the recoil guides.

[atrocity123]

Own a Smoke myself, and have none of the problems that your's has. Love the smoke and is one of the best reels in it's price range imo

[northern basser]

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

My dad has had one of these for a couple of years and he keeps complaining to me about it. He says he has a hard time getting it to not backlash and when hes able to dial it in so it doesn't, his casting distance is ridiculously short.

[westpalmfrogpunk]

What I find hard is I have 8 new quantum 2 being the smoke 150s and have no issues with them at all.  I have one E7 and it stripped out on a 3 pound fish.  Just looking at the anti quantum post and it reminds me of over done UFO hoaxs.  I understand people get lemons some times but it seems a lot of people for fish for their living fish quantum.  If the money the win fishing feeds the family I don't think they would risk fishing junk . Even tackletour gave the smoke a good review.   I have a lot of faith in my reels and could not be happier with the smoke

[CWilliams]

What I find hard is I have 8 new quantum 2 being the smoke 150s and have no issues with them at all. I have one E7 and it stripped out on a 3 pound fish. Just looking at the anti quantum post and it reminds me of over done UFO hoaxs. I understand people get lemons some times but it seems a lot of people for fish for their living fish quantum. If the money the win fishing feeds the family I don't think they would risk fishing junk . Even tackletour gave the smoke a good review. I have a lot of faith in my reels and could not be happier with the smoke

You think he did that to his own reel?

I dont see why its so hard to believe that every company has isolated issues like this. Just like your Curado. Do you think anyone would fish with with a reel that performs the way your Curado does? Yet tons of people continue to suggest it to others and spend their money on new ones.

As far as pros using Quantums or any other company that sponsors them......they are paid to use those products. They also get them free and probably get them replaced regularly. You think a sponsored pro cares about the warranty?

I do not have that luxury and I am sure a lot of people on this forum do not. We spend our hard earned money on something and want it to last.

Having a proven track record matters to a lot of people that do not have the luxury of a sponsor.

[westpalmfrogpunk]

What I ment about the pros is you really think a guy fishing for his lively hood is going to risk any failure I don't and I was kind off kidding about the UFO scenario.  I have been a professional snowboarder and had many friends on companies that made sup par bindings they wouldt even risk it once in a contest.  They purchased bindings they would trust and they could get anything they wanted free.  I dint mean to offended.  Just think quantum gets hit super hard around the web. 

[CWilliams]

Nothing you said was offensive.

I think your experience with snowboarding is different because safety was involved. I am guessing bad bindings would be dangerous?

I do not think it matters that much to the sponsored pros because if they are fishing and experience rod/reel failure they just grab another out of the storage compartment. Now if all pros were given 1 rod and reel to last them all season we could get a better feel for what the pros think are the best quality rods/reels.

When a person is getting paid to promote/use something, I am skeptical of what they say. Id rather get a feel for what the masses think. Thats why this site is so usefull.

[Pantera61]

Nothing you said was offensive.

I think your experience with snowboarding is different because safety was involved. I am guessing bad bindings would be dangerous?

I do not think it matters that much to the sponsored pros because if they are fishing and experience rod/reel failure they just grab another out of the storage compartment. Now if all pros were given 1 rod and reel to last them all season we could get a better feel for what the pros think are the best quality rods/reels.

When a person is getting paid to promote/use something, I am skeptical of what they say. Id rather get a feel for what the masses think. Thats why this site is so usefull.

If I'm fishing for money there is no way on God's green Earth I want tackle that's got the potential to bind, break or otherwise screw up my chance of getting every fish that bites into my boat.  Replacement after the fact does me no good after I lose a that could have won a tournament for me.

The feeling of the masses?  The same masses that blindly purchase Shimano because a tackle fan boy flash  mob says so?  Or Loomis?  Or Ragetail? Or any of the other pet products on any given forum?

In almost 40 years of serious bass fishing I've used a truck load of products, some good, some great, most average, very few terrible. 

You want the best recommendation for what's best for you?  Take the time to research which reel, rod or bait will suit your needs.  It can be time and cash consuming but in the end, you will have what you want and not what other people think is best for you.

[Grey Wolf]

Bottom line. They all make lemons once in a while.

[CWilliams]

Nothing you said was offensive.

I think your experience with snowboarding is different because safety was involved. I am guessing bad bindings would be dangerous?

I do not think it matters that much to the sponsored pros because if they are fishing and experience rod/reel failure they just grab another out of the storage compartment. Now if all pros were given 1 rod and reel to last them all season we could get a better feel for what the pros think are the best quality rods/reels.

When a person is getting paid to promote/use something, I am skeptical of what they say. Id rather get a feel for what the masses think. Thats why this site is so usefull.

If I'm fishing for money there is no way on God's green Earth I want tackle that's got the potential to bind, break or otherwise screw up my chance of getting every fish that bites into my boat. Replacement after the fact does me no good after I lose a that could have won a tournament for me.

The feeling of the masses? The same masses that blindly purchase Shimano because a tackle fan boy flash mob says so? Or Loomis? Or Ragetail? Or any of the other pet products on any given forum?

In almost 40 years of serious bass fishing I've used a truck load of products, some good, some great, most average, very few terrible.

You want the best recommendation for what's best for you? Take the time to research which reel, rod or bait will suit your needs. It can be time and cash consuming but in the end, you will have what you want and not what other people think is best for you.

So you would trust a Pro that is paid to sell you something over your peers on this forum? Why do you bother posting on these forums?

When you say "take the time to research", what are you refering to? If everyone here, and on other forums are blindly purchasing things and then recommending to others, where do you get your info?

Id does a disservice to members here to say things like "The smoke is the best bang for your buck out there". Where is the proof? Years of people using them?

You can get a great idea of which company and their products are better by reading on these forums. I find it odd that you would participate in a forum you believe is full of lies.

I spent the money to do the research myself. Was very dissapointed and broke. All I had to show for it was sub par equipment. Then I found this place. Its the reason I share my experience, not because I'm getting paid to.

[Pantera61]

Nothing you said was offensive.

I think your experience with snowboarding is different because safety was involved. I am guessing bad bindings would be dangerous?

I do not think it matters that much to the sponsored pros because if they are fishing and experience rod/reel failure they just grab another out of the storage compartment. Now if all pros were given 1 rod and reel to last them all season we could get a better feel for what the pros think are the best quality rods/reels.

When a person is getting paid to promote/use something, I am skeptical of what they say. Id rather get a feel for what the masses think. Thats why this site is so usefull.

If I'm fishing for money there is no way on God's green Earth I want tackle that's got the potential to bind, break or otherwise screw up my chance of getting every fish that bites into my boat. Replacement after the fact does me no good after I lose a that could have won a tournament for me.

The feeling of the masses? The same masses that blindly purchase Shimano because a tackle fan boy flash mob says so? Or Loomis? Or Ragetail? Or any of the other pet products on any given forum?

In almost 40 years of serious bass fishing I've used a truck load of products, some good, some great, most average, very few terrible.

You want the best recommendation for what's best for you? Take the time to research which reel, rod or bait will suit your needs. It can be time and cash consuming but in the end, you will have what you want and not what other people think is best for you.

So you would trust a Pro that is paid to sell you something over your peers on this forum? Why do you bother posting on these forums?

When you say "take the time to research", what are you refering to? If everyone here, and on other forums are blindly purchasing things and then recommending to others, where do you get your info?

Id does a disservice to members here to say things like "The smoke is the best bang for your buck out there". Where is the proof? Years of people using them?

You can get a great idea of which company and their products are better by reading on these forums. I find it odd that you would participate in a forum you believe is full of lies.

I spent the money to do the research myself. Was very dissapointed and broke. All I had to show for it was sub par equipment. Then I found this place. Its the reason I share my experience, not because I'm getting paid to.

1.  I didn't say I trust a pro's word.  I said if I'm fishing with money on the line, I'm not fishing with sub-par tackle regardless of how much a company will replace it.  I want tackle that performs first time around.

I post on these forums as an antidote to those who perform the disservice of parroting the company line.  It's easy to spend somebody else's money without consequence. 

I'll ask you a few questions first before Tourettsing out "Shimano", "Dobyns", "Senko", "Fill in the blank!".  You tell me how somebody is going to tell you what's going to fit your requirements.

2.  Anyone who come's onto a forum and asks "What reel is best for me?" is purchasing blindly as opposed to an individual who asks specific questions and about PERSONAL experiences with tackle.

3.  I didn't say smoke is the best bang for anybody's buck.

4.  Shimano "Posse".  'Nuf said on that credibility level.  Most of the time free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.  I didn't claim the site is full of lies.  Don't put words onto my fingertips.  I implied people have motives for their claims.  You have to look through their motives to find the truth in what they claim.

5.  Experience isn't what happens to you, it's what you learn from what happens to you.  Why did your personal choices result in you owning subpar equipment?  Did you buy what people told you to buy or did you learn what to look for when you bought?

6.  Finally, why wasn't the first question asked of the OP why he/she didn't return it to the original vendor?  Is it against the law in Canada to return items with which one is dissatisfied?

Is this what God hath wrought?  A ranting fit whenever one's knickers are put in a twist?

[CWilliams]

You would be one of the few pros that would not switch brands because one company offered to pay more. Won in a tournament or from a sponsor, money spends the same.

When sombody asks a general question like "what reel is best for me" they normally get asked about its intended use , price range, etc....I guess we have you to thank for that....

How can you see through their motives? Im sure this will be usefull to all of us.

If the advice here is free and like you say, "you get what you pay for", what use is this site? Im just trying to see through your motives.

I never said you commented about the smoke, but read the thread, its there.

You are right about one thing, it was my fault I bought the Quantum I spoke about earlier in this thread. I havent made the same mistake since. But hey, thats just my experience. Like you said it was "cash consuming" I guess I need the the special glasses you own to see thru all the bs.

He did return it to the vendor and tried to exchange it. They all looked like his. He ended up getting his money back.

You cant make it one day without mentioning of Shimano or its "possee" in some derogatory way. It made it into your avatar. It must eat at you that so many people use and are happy with their "blind purchases".

I question your motives.

EDIT: I no longer question your motives. "Unapologetically Abu!" "Shimanobot deprogrammer". You are very transparent.

[Pantera61]

You would be one of the few pros that would not switch brands because one company offered to pay more. Won in a tournament or from a sponsor, money spends the same.

When sombody asks a general question like "what reel is best for me" they normally get asked about its intended use , price range, etc....I guess we have you to thank for that....

How can you see through their motives? Im sure this will be usefull to all of us.

If the advice here is free and like you say, "you get what you pay for", what use is this site? Im just trying to see through your motives.

I never said you commented about the smoke, but read the thread, its there.

You are right about one thing, it was my fault I bought the Quantum I spoke about earlier in this thread. I havent made the same mistake since. But hey, thats just my experience. Like you said it was "cash consuming" I guess I need the the special glasses you own to see thru all the bs.

He did return it to the vendor and tried to exchange it. They all looked like his. He ended up getting his money back.

You cant make it one day without mentioning of Shimano or its "possee" in some derogatory way. It made it into your avatar. It must eat at you that so many people use and are happy with their "blind purchases".

I question your motives.

EDIT: I no longer question your motives. "Unapologetically Abu!" "Shimanobot deprogrammer". You are very transparent.

Derogatory? No. Mocking? Uh, yeah. Unpucker yourself for a moment. Do you take every other sig line so seriously?