Powell Diesel Rods, Anyone Taking A Chance?

[smalljaw67]

I have to admit, the new Diesel rods from Powell look amazing for the price but knowing not 100% of product is going to be perfect, who is going to take a chance on one with zero warranty? I would worry about it too much, because there is always going to be that rod that the blank gets nicked a little bit when being packed or shipped and then someone happens to get that rod and the first week it breaks on a hookset, you are out plain and simple. Even 60 or 90 days would give you a little more confidence but zero warranty is too hard to explain. So, is it just me or does anyone else think it is crazy not to offer even minimum coverage just because the rod is only 70 dollars?

[LAO162]

Many anglers spend more than $70 on a used rod that does not have the warranty transfer to the new owner. These folks are taking that risk to get better performance.

If the Diesel offers the performance of a rod that costs twice as much, I might take a chance. However, it the Diesel is not all that special, I would not buy it to save $20.

From my perspective, I would like to have seen at least a 30 day warranty in the event that a lemon makes it through qualitiy control.

I'm interested to see how the Diesel compares to the Max & Endurance rods.

[msolorio]

my buddy got a couple and said theyre pretty good. very sensitive, light, not as light as the endurance but still a great rod. he said he doesnt care if the rods dont have a warranty because even if a rod with a warranty breaks, it will probably cost close to 70 bux to get it replaced after buying a tube to ship it in, shipping, paying powell or whoevers rod you have the fee they charge, and so on. so either way you could be payin 70 bux and waiting 2-3 weeks to get a rod replaced or just go back down to the tackle shop and pay 70 bux and get a rod right away. idk makes some sense to me but thats just me.

[BASSclary]

I wont be buying one for the shear fact that I dont like EVA grips too much, and I dont like the components of the rod. Warranty, shmoranty, it'll cost the same to get a replacement. I wish they would've just taken a Powell Max, change the green to red, call it a Diesel, and be $100 without a warranty, instead of what looks(visually, I have not used one) to be subpar rod, with no warranty. Just IMHO.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There is always an implied warranty of merchantability. If the rod is truly defective any decent manufacturer will make good or be gone from the market. I'd like to see all these replacement programs fall by the wayside and see rods sell for what they are worth based on their own merits.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

my buddy got a couple and said theyre pretty good. very sensitive, light, not as light as the endurance but still a great rod. he said he doesnt care if the rods dont have a warranty because even if a rod with a warranty breaks, it will probably cost close to 70 bux to get it replaced after buying a tube to ship it in, shipping, paying powell or whoevers rod you have the fee they charge, and so on. so either way you could be payin 70 bux and waiting 2-3 weeks to get a rod replaced or just go back down to the tackle shop and pay 70 bux and get a rod right away. idk makes some sense to me but thats just me.

I guess it depends on the company. St Croix Avid I broke twice each time it was $30 shipping & claim in a week had rod back to me. On a $200 rod to get it replaced for $30 thats fine with me.To buy a $70 rod next day have it break and out-of-luck might never buy that companies product again.

[K_Mac]

There is always an implied warranty of merchantability. If the rod is truly defective any decent manufacturer will make good or be gone from the market. I'd like to see all these replacement programs fall by the wayside and see rods sell for what they are worth based on their own merits.

I am with you DVT.

[tstone]

I'm debating on giving one a try. Worst that happens is I'm out the $70. I'm sure I've wasted $70 on something worse before.

[bassfinder]

get a shimano that has an over the counter life time warranty.i think you can get different models starting around 70.00 with that warranty.i think convergence has it at around 70.00.

[msolorio]

im with u dvt, thatd be nice. on another note, no one will ever know if these things are actually good rods unless someone buys one and puts in action. anglers in general(by that i mean all over the country not just here on br) can bicker and cry about no warranty, eva handles, blah, blah, blah but until they actually use it, they shouldnt pass judgement. that goes with other products as well. powell is a respected name in rods and i doubt very much theyd put a piece of junk on the market after putting out some great rods in the max and endurance series.

[WdyCrankbait]

I just checked Powell's website and they say their out of stock on Diesel rods. (I guess TW and other places still have enough supplies of them.) I have a couple of Endurance's, but I am curious about them as well.

[j.bruno]

Why would they even advertise that? "The Powell Diesel Rod Series is not covered under any type of warranty.**" It just looks bad, i mean who wants to see that?

[KCL655321]

I wouldn't hesitate to give one a try, I've got 2 of the TW Powell rods & a Max & they're great rods for the money. Unfortunately all the rods they have are in lengths, powers, & actions I already have way too many of, so there's nothing that really interests me ATM.

Why would they even advertise that? "The Powell Diesel Rod Series is not covered under any type of warranty.**" It just looks bad, i mean who wants to see that?

It's the way they're marketing them, trying to say you're getting a much higher grade rod for less because it doesn't have a warranty. I'd rather they be upfront with the warranty than hide it in the fine print & tell you "SOL" if your rod breaks.

[Diggy]

reviews look good so far

[Megastink]

Last week, I purchased one of each Diesel Rod from Powell's website. There are three casting models: 705CB Glass, 723 CEF, 765 C, and one spinning model: 6103 M.

I splurged a little, but as a Powell owner (all my rods are either Max or Endurance), I think that I just might be the right guy for the job, as I know exactly how their higher end rods feel and handle and will be able to note any differences.

They should arrive this week, and I will be able to flex them out this weekend. Hopefully, I can post the review by Sunday night.

Stay tuned for a FULL Diesel line review....... finally........

[Dave P]

Please do so! I am VERY interested in hearing your impressions of the 723 and 765.

[webertime]

Please do so! I am VERY interested in hearing your impressions of the 723 and 765.

I have been fishing a 765 for a month now. Totally blown away by it. Light, almost carrot stick light, sensitivity that equals my lamiglas excels, balanced with a citica e far better than I could have imagined. $60 when on sale... if you're a tournament Guy you have to base your arsenal around them, maybe not have to but the money saved is a lot of entry fees and gas.

[MediumHeavy]

Has anyone used the spinning model yet? I'm thinking about picking one up.

[msolorio]

Just buy one. People spend more on tackle in one trip. They're not junk. Its the same blank as the Powell max series of rods. The only difference is the Eva handles and the guides are one step lower in quality but still great strong guides.

[skeletor6]

Very interested to hear about these. If they are anything like the Powell Max's I will splurge. Warranty aside, are these more sensitive than the veritas, sellus, lightning shock, or any other in that price group? I am looking at the 7'2" MH

[Silas]

Well, I took a chance and ordered the 723, 7'2" MH today.....from TW. How bad can it be?

I'll either pair it up with a Shimano Calcutta 200GTB for light cranks and frogs.

Or, with my just bought today, Curado 200E5, for small cranking.

Should be in later this week......I'll let you guys know.

At present, my best rods are the G Loomis and a just acquired Dobyns Champion Extreme. Also have a Mojo, that is OK.

I'm hoping it is at least BETTER than the St. Croix Mojo.....which was $100.

[rockchalk06]

Very interested to hear about these. If they are anything like the Powell Max's I will splurge. Warranty aside, are these more sensitive than the veritas, sellus, lightning shock, or any other in that price group? I am looking at the 7'2" MH

Not to poke a stick but do you have any basis for saying they are more sensitive than the Veritas or Shock? My Veritas is pretty d**n sensitive. Even my Shock is pretty sensitive

[BASSclary]

Not to poke a stick but do you have any basis for saying they are more sensitive than the Veritas or Shock? My Veritas is pretty d**n sensitive. Even my Shock is pretty sensitive

Rock, he was asking if how they compare to those rods, not saying they were more sensitive

[rockchalk06]

Rock, he was asking if how they compare to those rods, not saying they were more sensitive

Man I must have been sleeping I didn't see it asked as a question

[Jay Ell Gee]

I have the 723 for a soft plastics / half ounce jig / frog rod (I have some serious self control with my hooksets, and the XF tip really drives that hook home) and I absolutely love it. I have a citica 2000DSV on it and I couldn't be happier.

I like it much more than the lightning shock rods, and it's definitely a bit more quality craftsmanship than the sellus as well. Don't get me wrong though, the sellus is a nice rod also at 49.99, may be adding their spinnerbait rod to my lineup soon, though I felt a falcon bucoo that is making me rethink that.

Also, the Diesel is NOT in the Veritas price range, so it's hard to compare. My gf's little bro has a Veritas though and after using it, I would say its a preference (and a $30) thing.