Curado 200G Vs 200E

[*Hootie]

Curado 200G vs 200E

What are the differences. I notice most people prefer the 200E.

Thanks,

Hootie

Does this mean the 200G's are not so good?

[aavery2]

The biggest difference is the G is built on the Caenan frame in aluminum. If you do a quick internet or forum search you will find enough discussion on this topic to keep you busy for quite a while.

[LgMouthGambler]

the E was built better. The G was toned down to give the Chronarch the spotlight while that was toned down as well. Its just a sales theory, but thats the way it is sometimes. I was talking to a Shimano rep today at Bass Pro, and he even agreed, the E was so far the best that they had for the price.

[Hooligan]

That the E is built better is arguable, at best, unless you're speaking simply in terms of design. The two reels are built equally as well as one another. That the G was toned down to give the CHronarch the spotlight is completely incorrect. It's not a sales theory, it's fact, and it's a direct result of the exchange rate.

The Curado was never, ever intended to be a $179 reel, it just wasn't. The only reason it stayed there is that Shimano had agreements in place, and didn't have to raise the price to the $199 mark that it should have been for the past five years. For years, dealers and consumers have been screaming for a quality reel, like the Curado, to be at that mid range price point, like the Curado used to be.

The G series of reels really gets back to the state that the Curado should be., the Chronarch E series gets back, again, to what it always has been. It's not a matter of one stealing any spotlight, or shining brighter. That's a laughable assumption at best. It's purely that Shimano was faced with killing off the Curado or Chronarch in current form, and letting one of the best, most bullet-proof reel designs ever go to waste, or adjust the lines of reels and get back to business.

For the record, there's no issue with quality of the reels, don't let the internet hype fool you. The Malaysian factory has higher tolerances and is filled with Japanese engineers and QC, the reels coming from the factory are every bit as high quality as the Japanese factory produces. It's that simple.

[LgMouthGambler]

That the E is built better is arguable, at best, unless you're speaking simply in terms of design. The two reels are built equally as well as one another. That the G was toned down to give the CHronarch the spotlight is completely incorrect. It's not a sales theory, it's fact, and it's a direct result of the exchange rate.

The Curado was never, ever intended to be a $179 reel, it just wasn't. The only reason it stayed there is that Shimano had agreements in place, and didn't have to raise the price to the $199 mark that it should have been for the past five years. For years, dealers and consumers have been screaming for a quality reel, like the Curado, to be at that mid range price point, like the Curado used to be.

The G series of reels really gets back to the state that the Curado should be., the Chronarch E series gets back, again, to what it always has been. It's not a matter of one stealing any spotlight, or shining brighter. That's a laughable assumption at best. It's purely that Shimano was faced with killing off the Curado or Chronarch in current form, and letting one of the best, most bullet-proof reel designs ever go to waste, or adjust the lines of reels and get back to business.

For the record, there's no issue with quality of the reels, don't let the internet hype fool you. The Malaysian factory has higher tolerances and is filled with Japanese engineers and QC, the reels coming from the factory are every bit as high quality as the Japanese factory produces. It's that simple.

What you say may be true, but what I heard from the Shimano rep was just that. So to clarify for you and the rest of who may read this, it was info from Shimano. It makes sense to me, considering its not an "laughable assumption", its info from the source.

[Packard]

What you say may be true, but what I heard from the Shimano rep was just that. So to clarify for you and the rest of who may read this, it was info from Shimano. It makes sense to me, considering its not an "laughable assumption", its info from the source.

Was definitely not from the "source." A Shimano rep at Bass Pro isn't the source. Hooligan's info is spot on.

[Georgia Jeff]

I own a 100d and a 200e. I held the 200g today for the first time. I would have to say that this is the third time in a row that the curado has taken a step in the wrong direction. They went with graphite side plates instead of an all aluminum reel when they switched to the 200e and now the 200g has even more cheap parts on it. The drag star is plastic and cheap looking and the reel has less bearings. I also didn't like the way the spool engaged. It was very clunky and stiff. The 200e was still a good reel in my opinion but not quite as nice as the 100d. I don't see myself buying a 200g.

[Hooligan]

What you say may be true, but what I heard from the Shimano rep was just that. So to clarify for you and the rest of who may read this, it was info from Shimano. It makes sense to me, considering its not an "laughable assumption", its info from the source.

The "shimano rep" you were speaking with was most likely no more than a sales representative for a rep agency, they have no connection to the factory and no actual connection to Shimano other than they represent the sales of product to Bas Pro Shops, in this case. It most definitely wasn't info from Shimano, it isn't info from the source by any means. You want that, PM Bantam1, he'll set you straighter than I already have.

[Bluebasser86]

I'm glad that they curado is a little more affordable than it was at new price. I've fished a G series a little bit and they do feel nice, not sure if they feel quite as good as my E series but still a very solid reel.

[BobP]

It's obvious that the G series reels are a re-calibration of the line in terms of features and price. I think it's mostly about exchange rates and manufacturing cost in Asia. When Shimano's mid-range Curados got jacked up in price to what American buyers used to pay for Chronarchs (and during an economic downturn), the line was out of whack and sales began to suffer. I don't think the changes for 2012 have anything to do with quality, which is a good as ever across the Shimano lines. Where the G versus previous E models matter right now: you can find previous year E model Curados with better features compared to current G models, and at good prices. For instance, a 2011 Curado 50E can be found new in box online for $133. It originally sold for $199, then was reduced to $179 by Shimano. If you want a 2012 Shimano G with exactly the same features as the 2011 Curado E, you have to buy a Chronarch 50 for $199. So picking up a Curado 50E looks like a sweet deal.

I have Curado 200B's from 1999 that still work flawlessly. They have plastic star drags and side plates that have worked perfectly for over 13 yrs and I consider plastic versus aluminum for those parts a non-issue. In fact the plastic may be superior. It will take a lick without permanently deforming like metal will. But to each his own... As far as manufacture in Malaysia versus Japan, beauty is as beauty does. I bought a Japanese market Biomaster spinning reel several years ago and like it very much. I looked at the reel foot and guess what? Made in Malaysia. On a Japanese domestic market reel. That pretty much settled questions I had about Malaysia vs Japan manufacture for Shimano reels. If someone who owns a Shimano reel complains about its quality or features, I'll pay attention. But JMHO, taking pot shots at stuff you've never owned or used isn't very useful.

[OnthePotomac]

With regard to the Maylasia issue, the incredible work horse Citica 200D was made in Maylasia and how many years ago?

[The Rooster]

What I don't understand is if the new Chronarch is just the old Curado with new paint colors, why doesn't it also still have the metal drag star like the Curado E did?? The new Chronarch 200E has a plastic star. I know this doesn't even matter in terms of performance, especially since I just found out that the Citica E that I have also has a plastic star on it and it's been working great all this time without me knowing it. But if "technically" the new Chronarch is a downgraded old Curado with that now plastic part instead of metal, then why did it also increase $20 in price?? Same parts, same everything, but a price increase with at least one lesser part?? Maybe costs involved to produce it changed. Otherwise, I don't know. If it wasn't that, then it is just a marketing thing. Otherwise, there's no reason for it.

I've held the new Curado and Citica G reels in hand and besides the plastic star, the handles also just feel different. I don't know if they are, but they felt it. Felt cheaper. That might just be me reading into it, but I didn't go in to look at them with shooting them down in mind. I actually went in interested to see them and was disappointed after I did. It's just the way it impressed me is all. I didn't care for the new reels, and especially since I felt that the Citica went up in price and didn't gain a thing feature wise. The Curado is less in price but for just $20 more the E was seemingly a lot better, and they were also just recently being sold for a lot less than even the new one is now. So that just leaves me feeling cold about buying one of the new ones. The Chronarch is still an E series reel and to me it's really the best choice compared to the G reels in terms of one reel vs. another, price differences aside, but it's not even what the E series Curado was and costs even more. So facing all of that, if I WAS looking for a reel, I'd probably have gotten a Lew's instead. The way Shimano mixed it all up there just left me feeling mixed up about all the currently available reels they offer in my price range. Sorry for the rant, I'm not even looking for a reel, just posting my thoughts on this particular matter is all.

Other than this, to answer the OP's original question, the new Curado G has 5 bearings compared to the E series having 7. The bearings were taken from the paddles on the handles, they will now be bearing free. All other bearings inside the reel body are still located in the same places as before. The drag star is now plastic on the G series compared to the E series having metal (Curado E only, the old Citica E and even the new Chronarch E stars are all plastic). The Curado G is available in 3 ratios now, while there was no 6.x offering in the E series before unless you went with the lesser Citica. The new G reel weighs 7.2 oz. vs. the old E weighing 7.6 oz. The price is $20 less than before. If there are any other differences I do not know about them.

[Jaheff]

I'm thinking of trying a 200G7 out for myself, with these mail in rebates. Does anybody know if I can add bearings in the handles of the G series?

[J Francho]

What you say may be true, but what I heard from the Shimano rep was just that. So to clarify for you and the rest of who may read this, it was info from Shimano. It makes sense to me, considering its not an "laughable assumption", its info from the source.

Hooligan's source is the same as mine. He is in charge of ALL US SALES. What he says is the correct info, not what some pro staffer or sales rep made up. You have to realize this is a real small industry, and there are many that in fact have the real poop on what is up. Some even post on this forum.

[00 mod]

Gas continually goes up...all the time. And they keep adding more and more ethanol(cheaper chemical makeup). Does any of this make since?

Jeff

[J Francho]

Are you sure you want to compare the inner workings of gasoline pricing with Shimano's retail pricing strategy?

I REALLY don't think you can make a comparison, or want to go there.

[00 mod]

Just a general comparison...... I could go with something along these lines.

Smartphones......the prices of the newer models continually go up, and the cost of the goods to manufacture are cheaper and cheaper. Then when the newer models are coming out, the price of the phones go down. Just as Shimano did with their e series reels.

But yes, in a general scheme of things, gas continues to go up, and they are using more and more ethanol, same as Shimano using less expensive parts and going up in price. It is called BUSINESS. I am not talking about the "inner workings", but the general pricing strategy.

Jeff

[craww]

What I don't understand is if the new Chronarch is just the old Curado with new paint colors, why doesn't it also still have the metal drag star like the Curado E did?? The new Chronarch 200E has a plastic star. I know this doesn't even matter in terms of performance, especially since I just found out that the Citica E that I have also has a plastic star on it and it's been working great all this time without me knowing it. But if "technically" the new Chronarch is a downgraded old Curado with that now plastic part instead of metal, then why did it also increase $20 in price?? Same parts, same everything, but a price increase with at least one lesser part?? Maybe costs involved to produce it changed. Otherwise, I don't know. If it wasn't that, then it is just a marketing thing. Otherwise, there's no reason for it.

I agree 100%. A reel that costs over $200 shouldnt have a plastic drag star. Call it a "market adjustment" or whatever, it feels cheap. Fact is, as far as public (consumer) opinion goes, shimano has layed an egg on these. Other companies like Lew's, pinnacle, okuma, and BPS in house stuff are getting folks attention (and $) with more high end features for less.

[J Francho]

Not from what I saw flying off the shelves this past weekend....no one paying $200 for a BPS/Pure Fishing/Whatever over getting a Chronarch basically for $140.

[aavery2]

I think that the uneductated angler looks at the name Chronarch and thinks he is buying the quality and features that the Chronarch line once stood for, while it is a very nice reel, it is now little more than a rebadged Curado.

You can purchase the Curado E for 135 dollars everyday and not have to wait on a refund.

[craww]

I was at bass pro last friday when the sale launched. In the time it took the guy at the fishing counter to print the combo upc for the carbonlite I was purchasing, 4 people walked up and asked about the new carbon lite.

[J Francho]

In my years working retail, whenever some actually purchases ANYTHING more than $100, they want to "see it" nad get their hands on what someone else now owns - it's a bit of human nature that salespeople in the know will capitalize on for more sales.

If you like your Carbonlite, then so be it. I don't own any, never will. But I probably won't call you an "UNEDUCATED" buyer, LMAO @ aavery.

Maybe you guys don't remember me selling a dozen Curado 200Es for $80 before the holidays. I know exactly what they are, and what the three Chronarchs I own today are.

The great thing is there is so much gear out there, you can fish what YOU like, not what I like.

As far as the "plastic" star drag goes....the upscale CU50E had a plastic drag as well. Personally, aluminum is every bit just as cheap as polycarbonate, but that's just my opinion.

[aavery2]

As you may notice I did not quote you in my post, therefore it was not intended to be aimed at you, but in reference to exactly that uneducated anglers. Your knowledge of fishing speaks for itself, and my post was certainly not intended to insult you or anyone else on here. It was more in line with your comment about the Chronarch flying off the shelf, and my attempt to explain a possible reason why.

[J Francho]

OK....mea culpa.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

IMO the E series Curado was encroaching on Chronarch territory in features and price. All Shimano did was put the planets back in alignment so to speak. The line as a whole has several quality reels at price points to appeal to a range of budgets. Add this to all the other great gear out there as JF mentioned, there's something for everyone.