Flukeman Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 Were they the orange/gold carbonlite reels or the new black model? Quote
l3rd Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 I also have the last model and I love it, very smooth. I wish they had more lh versions of the new jm reel. Might have to buy in right. The combos are up on the site on a new page The Cincinnati BPS empolyees don't seem to like them. They got 5 in, and one was bad. They do not have the feel nor are they the same design of the older ones. The $135 Browning, now a BPS line, is the same design as the new Carbonlites. I picked up a couple of the older style reels before they sell out. The on-line selection is down to left hand only already, so what's in the stores is it. I was not impressed with the new ones. They seem to be far less smooth than the older ones. Time will tell, but I had been thinking I was going to buy a couple of the new ones, but after seeing them and tinkering with them in the store, I got a couple more of the old ones instead... Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted February 14, 2012 Super User Posted February 14, 2012 The Cincinnati BPS empolyees don't seem to like them. They got 5 in, and one was bad. They do not have the feel nor are they the same design of the older ones. The $135 Browning, now a BPS line, is the same design as the new Carbonlites. I picked up a couple of the older style reels before they sell out. The on-line selection is down to left hand only already, so what's in the stores is it. I was not impressed with the new ones. They seem to be far less smooth than the older ones. Time will tell, but I had been thinking I was going to buy a couple of the new ones, but after seeing them and tinkering with them in the store, I got a couple more of the old ones instead... I am one of the Cincinnati BPS guys, and I think they are great. I know for sure a couple of the guys in the fishing dept. have bought them already, including myself. Quote
Jason Penn Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 Were they the orange/gold carbonlite reels or the new black model? the new 1's. i bought the carbonlite micro rods for $119.99 each and they gave me the reels for $80 each i had actually planned to wait til the spring classic sale and save $20, but i was already at bps (about an hour & 15 minute drive) so i figured the extra cost would get eat up either in gas driving back or shipping. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted February 14, 2012 Author Super User Posted February 14, 2012 I played with another one that was screwy? you could feel/hear the "gears" in a spot every rotation of the handle. It was the same spot every rotation of the handle? The odd thing was if it had some end play in the spool the noise went away but if you gave it any spool tension it would make the noise. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted February 14, 2012 Author Super User Posted February 14, 2012 I ended up getting a E5 Curado used and bought Boca's and carbon drag for the same price as a new Carbonlite but if I can get one for $90 at the Classic I'll be all over it. Quote
l3rd Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 I am one of the Cincinnati BPS guys, and I think they are great. I know for sure a couple of the guys in the fishing dept. have bought them already, including myself. The day I was there 2 of the 3 were quite underwhelmed with it. The third, and the one supporter, was the dept. manager who I understand is quite the tournament fisherman, but I was not impressed either. I have worked in machine shops and quality generally has a feel to it, and I thought it was lacking in the reel I was handling. YMMV. I think the same about the very popular Bushmaster AR15, it's just not tight IMO. Many just love em, but I think they are sloppier than they ought to be. I did buy one after President Obama was elected and if you wanted one, you had to take what was available. It shoots fine, but it's not as tight as others I have owned or shot. While I love light, I suspect my next reel will be something like a BPS JM Signature, or perhaps one of the new Pinnacle Optima? I have checked out the JM Signatures, and they are sweet, the Pinnacles I'd have to get from a place with a 30 day or so return policy. It would certainly be the bigger gamble. Anyway, I am glad you like the new JM Carbonlites. I was at the store the day they were first seen on line and the guys were really giddy about them then. I am just very skeptical. One in 5 failing is not too endearing to me either, though it could have been abuse that caused it fail, I really did not bother asking, that one in five failed was enough for me once coupled with how it felt. I personally wish they had chosen to build on the old Carbonlite design and had just improved it, it was an awesome reel, IMO. My son bought a Shimano Chronarch, and at a later time we were talking reels with the fishing dept. manager again, and I was talking up the old Carbonlite, and said something about it not being a Chronarch, and the manager took issue with that! The only drawback I saw in the old one was that awful gold color... Perhaps I need to learn to airbrush on those days I can't fish. :-) Quote
Jason Penn Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 The day I was there 2 of the 3 were quite underwhelmed with it. The third, and the one supporter, was the dept. manager who I understand is quite the tournament fisherman, but I was not impressed either. I have worked in machine shops and quality generally has a feel to it, and I thought it was lacking in the reel I was handling. YMMV. I think the same about the very popular Bushmaster AR15, it's just not tight IMO. Many just love em, but I think they are sloppier than they ought to be. I did buy one after President Obama was elected and if you wanted one, you had to take what was available. It shoots fine, but it's not as tight as others I have owned or shot. While I love light, I suspect my next reel will be something like a BPS JM Signature, or perhaps one of the new Pinnacle Optima? I have checked out the JM Signatures, and they are sweet, the Pinnacles I'd have to get from a place with a 30 day or so return policy. It would certainly be the bigger gamble. Anyway, I am glad you like the new JM Carbonlites. I was at the store the day they were first seen on line and the guys were really giddy about them then. I am just very skeptical. One in 5 failing is not too endearing to me either, though it could have been abuse that caused it fail, I really did not bother asking, that one in five failed was enough for me once coupled with how it felt. I personally wish they had chosen to build on the old Carbonlite design and had just improved it, it was an awesome reel, IMO. My son bought a Shimano Chronarch, and at a later time we were talking reels with the fishing dept. manager again, and I was talking up the old Carbonlite, and said something about it not being a Chronarch, and the manager took issue with that! The only drawback I saw in the old one was that awful gold color... Perhaps I need to learn to airbrush on those days I can't fish. :-) u'll get no argument from me praising the old carbonlites. i have 1 of those and 3 of the pro qualifier tournaments. i am impressed with the 2 new models i've got. whether or not they'll hold up as well as the older 1's is yet to be seen. Quote
l3rd Posted February 14, 2012 Posted February 14, 2012 u'll get no argument from me praising the old carbonlites. i have 1 of those and 3 of the pro qualifier tournaments. i am impressed with the 2 new models i've got. whether or not they'll hold up as well as the older 1's is yet to be seen. Well, I sure hope they do! Quote
WdyCrankbait Posted February 15, 2012 Posted February 15, 2012 Check out the BPS Spring Fishing Classic flyer if, or when you get it. The are selling the new Carbonlites for $109.97 without the reel trade in. If you do trade a reel in, it becomes $89.97. Not a bad deal at all!! Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted February 16, 2012 Super User Posted February 16, 2012 Check out the BPS Spring Fishing Classic flyer if, or when you get it. The are selling the new Carbonlites for $109.97 without the reel trade in. If you do trade a reel in, it becomes $89.97. Not a bad deal at all!! IF they have them in stock for the sale. Im wondering. If I trade-in a reel, get that voucher, and they dont have the JMC reel I want can I get my traded reel back? Quote
WdyCrankbait Posted February 16, 2012 Posted February 16, 2012 It's going to be interesting to see what plays out with this reel. For the weight and specs it has, it really could do something in the market. But, I remeber reading what happened last year. I have talked to a many sales people (one being a REALLY cute gilrl!) at my local BPS and they told me they were not allowed to sell them till the Spring Fishing Classic. I'm happy with my family of Curados, just passing along the information. If anyone gets a Carbonlite Baitcasting reel, lets us know how it worked out. Quote
Stasher1 Posted February 16, 2012 Posted February 16, 2012 Looks like a great reel, but I am even more excited for their spinning reel. The larger model will be great for finesse plastics. I've been eyeballing the new Carbonlite spinning reel as well. I've got a 6'9" ML Carbonlite sitting here in need of a new reel... Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted February 29, 2012 Author Super User Posted February 29, 2012 I was able to pick one up Today. After a few minutes looking at it at home I like it . I think I'll use it once then give it a good cleaning. Quote
Georgia Jeff Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 Looks,like a good reel for $89 but when holding it this weekend I didn't love it. It felt ok. The spool didn't free spool as long as I was expecting and I absolutely HATE those darn foam grips. For the money it's a good deal but I'll hold off for further reviews. Quote
l3rd Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 Looks,like a good reel for $89 but when holding it this weekend I didn't love it. It felt ok. The spool didn't free spool as long as I was expecting and I absolutely HATE those darn foam grips. For the money it's a good deal but I'll hold off for further reviews. I checked them out again, this time I was looking at the 5.4:1, it felt fine, and I bought it. I also ordered a 6.4:1 and the 750 spinning reel. I still wish they had used the older Carbonlite platform as I really liked it, other than the gold color, but the later production J.M. Carbonlites reels seem to have a better feel to them. I was told that the old Carbonlites were a little rough at first too, so perhaps the factory has some issues. The local pro the Cincinnati store supports said that the new Carbonlite casts for ever, he seems to be a very big fan of it. I hope to get out on the water tomorrow, but I am going with a crappie fisherman, so I don't think I'll be spending too much time using my new toys... Quote
21farms Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 I was told that the old Carbonlites were a little rough at first too, so perhaps the factory has some issues. any reel with duralumin gears needs a little bit of break-in time to mesh before it feels smoother. brass is soft but one of the reasons that it is so popular for reel gears is it has very low-friction and feels smoother. duralumin is harder than brass and not as naturally friction-free; proper lubrication is more more critical with duralumin too. Quote
craww Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 Looks,like a good reel for $89 but when holding it this weekend I didn't love it. It felt ok. The spool didn't free spool as long as I was expecting and I absolutely HATE those darn foam grips. For the money it's a good deal but I'll hold off for further reviews. Flicking a spool with your finger and counting the spin time isnt as important as you'd think. Heavier spools tend to spin longer...It don't translate to real world fishing. I had an old JM signature series reel that I bought in 06'. One of the selling points was the guy at the counter showing how long it "free spooled". It was very impressive compared to the Curado D and a few other reels I was considering. On the water however, i found the thing struggled with anything under 3/8oz, and still couldnt cast as far as other reels I owned even with a heavier weight. Quote
volchuck Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 I got a 6.4.1 and have it currently on my duckett heavy. Loaded it with heavy braid and was cracking the A-rig with it over the weekend. I'm actually gonna switch it to my medium heavy setup and switch out the braid to lighter floro. Casts great, handled a heavy a-rig and braid, just felt too light for that setup, and I want it on a rod I use more often.. I put it on par with my citca, if it holds up it will be a favorite for sure being so light and casting very well, as a prior poster said it lacks a "quality feel" and I agree the foam grips are lacking, but I do really like it overall so far. I think its a good price to give it a try, time will tell on the quality I guess... Quote
rubba bubba Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 The knobs are replaceable, just not sure what replacement options are available. I imagine one could put the PQ knobs on this reel but I haven't gotten around to checking into that yet. Quote
Georgia Jeff Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 I3rd and craww, Let me know how they hold up. You guys just may be able to talk me into one if they hold up. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted March 3, 2012 Super User Posted March 3, 2012 I played with another one that was screwy? you could feel/hear the "gears" in a spot every rotation of the handle. It was the same spot every rotation of the handle? The odd thing was if it had some end play in the spool the noise went away but if you gave it any spool tension it would make the noise. I got my two JM-CLs in the mail yesterday. One of them has the same thing - a rough spot every rotation. I'll have to make some time to "pop the hood" and check it out. Dry spot on maingear? Burrs on that spot on the maingear? Other? One year warranty but I hate having to mail stuff back... Quote
BigBrotherThunda Posted March 5, 2012 Posted March 5, 2012 Ive been throwing KVD2.5's and RC3 DBS's on one of the 5.4 geared models for the last 3 weeks, LOVE it so far! If it holds up and continues to perform like this, I'll have to add a few more! Quote
Jeff P. Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 I picked up 2 of the new JM carbonlite baitcast reels. I have owned many BPS brand reels, and just like all of them I highly recommend taking it apart, give it a good cleaning, and then lube with good quality product. Straight out of the box, they are ok, but after I cleaned mine up they are much smoother. I use Ardent Reel Butter for grease on the gears, and I use the Ardent Bearing Oil for the bearings. I have only fished once with them, but so far I am very pleased with the performance, and I have them paired with Carbonlite rods. It's amazing how light those setups are, and a real pleasure to fish with. I plan to use mine for several purposes - topwater, jerkbaits, shallow-med crankbaits, spinnerbait. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted March 29, 2012 Author Super User Posted March 29, 2012 Ok, soit's been a while but I finaly got the new Carbonlite out of the box Yesterday. It's spooled with 8# Zo-Yuri and is on a 7'M Crankbait rod. I'll have to say I was impressed! It casted GREAT. I turned the mag break off and set the other one to 1 and it never even tried to backlash. It is a little bit noisy on the retrive but hey let's not forget it's a CHEEP reel compared to everything else I use. I'd rate it a full five stars! Quote
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