What's Wrong With Quantum?

[psuangler91]

I've noticed a lot of people on here either don't like Quantum reels or just prefer another brand, from what I see mostly shimano. If you don't like Quantum I'd like to know why, I've just always wondered because I personally love quantum reels. All the reels I own are quantum except for one and I've never had a problem. I fished a buddy's curado once and I didn't think it felt, cast, or handled any better than my energy. Even my Accurist isn't far behind the curado, at least in smoothness and casting distance.

Once again I'm not bashing anyone's opinions I was just wondering why some people don't like their stuff.

[Packard]

Bought a Quantum KVD reel and half the time the thumbar won't engage. Their cheaper model seem to be crap. I do like their Smoke series though.

[ww2farmer]

Nothing.........I wear Shimano underware when it comes to casting reels, but have and use Quantum, Abu, and Daiwa products. I have 2 Quantum Accurist PT casting reels, that I will not replace with ANY other reels, except for maybe a newer Accurist with the 7:1 ratio. I will take Quantums over Revo's any day. I have never owned there rods, or spinning reels, so I can't comment on those, but the new Accurist PT spinning reel looks mighty tempting to me.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The main problem I see with Quantums in the shop is a poor quality finish. A high percentage have corosion, blisters and blemishes. The AR sleeves corrode too often as well. I see minor QC issues like holes not lining up perfectly. This is not to bash the brand, each has their own issues. The issues I see in the Quantums are not all that major but pop up too frequently. The designs are good except for the gawd awful side plate release setup. It makes them unnecessarily difficult to service. THe smoothness, feespool and drag are all pretty good for the most part. If the QC and finish were up to par with the rest of the reel I think a lot of the nay sayers would come around. With reels around like the Curado and Ambassadeuer that you just can't kill if you tried, It's hard to look past even slight but apparent quality issues.

[ChiCityBasser]

I've never had a problem with my Quantum reels either and have both spinning and casting models that have held up well for years without a problem. I have other reels in the Cabelas Prodigy, a newly purchased Plfueger Supreme XT and a Shimano Sahara. The Sahara has given me the most trouble and gets the least or no use and not a knock just my personal experience with the brand. All my Quantums are PT reels and I have one of the new Accurist PT 7.0:1 reels waiting to be spooled up with 50# braid this weekend for a flipping stick.

[0119]

Their finish comes off even with kit gloves! Their customer service is fast, some say excellent, but all they do is send you a new reel and usually the same problem pops up again. Every spinning reel I bought ended up with cracked ceramic drag disks. On my Accurist Inshore and an Energy baistcaster, just palming it discolored the sideplate and wore off the decals. Every baitcaster also lost its line guide eye from a uni to uni knot going through it.

[TourPT]

Being using nothing but Quantum reels for the past 20 years now and the only issue I have ever had was on some, not all but some, of the old MG reels anti reverse giving out. Other then that I have not had any issues with Quantum reels nor there rods for that matter, although I do prefer G.Loomis rods. I use to be a Shimano nut up until Quantum came out with the EX series many years ago. Once i tried those I was hooked and never went back, in fact I still have two EX series reels that are still working as good as the day I bought them. I use them for deep diving crankbait fishing to this day. I also still have one MG reel that has a bait clicker that I still use for cat fishing, that is also working as good as new. The rest of my reels are all PT Energy or Tour reels and I have not had one issue with any of them.

With that said I think a lot of the hate comes from some of Quantum’s cheaper reels like the code reels of which are junk, but the PT series flat out rock in my book.

.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Had a Quantum once for about 6 months and the anti-reverse went out. It was a lower end reel but i've had less expensive reels that still work fine after 3 years. It seems that the lower end products they make are the troublemakers with quality where as the higher end stuff (exo, smoke, pt's) are quality reels but some feel they can get more bang for there buck with other companies.

[patbfishing123]

I use all quantum reels as well, had a problem with one right out of the box, but it was replaced within two weeks with a brand new one. I'd say quantums are great reel, although the finish is the not best and usually blistering and chips do occur, I have not had too many problems with the mechanical aspect of the reels. You get a lot of reel for your money, and a company that stands behind their product 100%!

[tugsandpulls]

i got a quantum escalade in spinning and in casting models( both a dicks sports only ) reel and ive had no problems with them so far used them all last season but i do like my shimano caenan better

[smalljaw67]

Every brand has its flaws, I like Quantum reels and Pfluegers and Abu Garcia. Shimano left a bad taste in my mouth with 2 bad Symetre spinning reels in one season, the first one the bearings went bad, the second one had bad bearings and the bail spring broke and I was told my Shimano to buy a better reel in their line up...That was my last one but their upper tier offerings are great reels but I have a bad taste in my mouth over the problem with the Symetres that I refuse to buy Shimano. What kills me is how a brand loyal customer will bash a reel for being rough during the retreive or if it is heavy but they defend their brand to the hilt if they happen to make a reel just like they hate about another reel. A perfect example of this is Diawa fans, I love Diawa reels but most of their reels under 270 with a few exceptions like the Tierra or Advantage, aren't very good. The problem is I've heard a few of those people really hammer Quantum for having heavy reels and then what do you know, Diawa comes out with a $600 Z2020 that weighs 10oz by itself and that is ok, it is great or how about the complaints on the "geary" feeling of the $400 T3, I have heard Quantum getting bashed for this on a $150 dollar reel but it seem exceptable on a much higher priced reel. And then we have the " made in Japan" crowd, I swear you could put a turd in a box and have "made in japan" printed on it and charge $350 dollars for it and it would be the greatest thing on the market. Every brand has its problems and successes, it is why I use multiple brands, and the part of Quantum that appeals to me is I can get a high performance, all aluminum light weight reel for a reasonable price in what is called the Smoke, I like the Revo Premier also but it was $80 dollars more retail when it came out. I tell everyone about my mistake symetres but I also tell them about the good reels they make but I had a bad experience so I shy away from them, I try hard not to bash.

[kikstand454]

I have a fair amount of quantum reels and have never had an issue with any of them. Not a single one. I have some older ones, iron c, 1310s, old accurists... and I have an assortment of the 'newer' models~ from the bps kvd reel all the way up to the tour pro. Spinning reels as well. Out of the 26 combos I have, 18 are quantum reels. They all perform everytime.

That being said...I can understand why someone would question quantum when pricing their high end gear. The older 'blue' tourpro and energy 'rainbow' finish had a habit of flaking or bubbling after a while. Not all of them (mine is perfect) but it was a known issue. Why buy a 260 dollar reel that may be ugly in two years when you can get a revo or curado that has a more durable finish? I totally understand that.

But in the 50~ 150 dollar range, quantum is the best bang for the buck, period. The only things that come close are the bps pro qualifier, and the shimano citica.

But hey, everyone has their oppinion and who cares if others hate on quantum~ keeps the prices down on ebay.

[Darren.]

I've got two Quantum bait casters, a 7:0:1 Accurist, and a Shaw Grigsby (believe it's an Accurist) model from DSG. I consider myself a Shimano guy when it comes to spinning gear which I use more than my BC gear.

My Quantum BCs have served me well, with regular oiling and such. Exception being, as mentioned above, the finish. They ding/scratch easily. Also noticing, after 4 years of the Grigsby model, occasional slippage in gears. Because these are my only BCs, I can't compare them to Shimanos, Daiwas, BPS, etc., other than in-store comparisons. So I'll only give opinion on the Q's.

My own experience has not been bad. Would I opt for Quantums again? Not likely. Only one I might consider, having played with it, is the Smoke which is pretty sweet (looking). I almost went for a new Curado with the reel trade in, but couldn't justify it to the CFO. Was able to justify a replacement spinning reel though because the kids can fish that.

If I were a big bait casting guy, I might feel otherwise....

[J Francho]

I try not to bash, but....One reel in a long list of "anecdotal" blemishes that adds up to poor quality:

[lmoore]

I like some of Quantums higher end stuff, but I've had too many bad experiences with the mid to lower end of their lineup. Abu and shimano just make a better overall lineup of casting reels, IMO.

[21farms]

i had two of the older accurists and the newer catalyst PT. the accurists were okay...just kinda heavy and not particularly smooth so i got rid of them. on the newer quantums, the bugaboo to me is the ergonomics. all of them have a hump on their palm sideplates were the ACS dial is that just feels awful in my hands...bugs me to no end as i like to palm my reels while fishing. the other thing that bugs me is how low the spool release button sits when depressed...it is the lowest of any reel i've ever fished with (which is a lot) and forces me to "thumb" the spool with only the tip of my thumb instead of the pad of my thumb like with other reels which gives me better feel and control.

[bowhunter63]

I have a few Quantum outfits,But i starting to use alot of Pinnacle.Seems more bang for your buck and more dependable.JMO.

[Wild Bill [NY]]

I have had several Quantum spinning reels and one baitcaster over the years.

The finishes were horrible quickly; something I have never seen on Daiwa nor Shimanos.

The handles on all three of the spinning reels virtually melted, and became useless. I called customer service, and yes, they sent new ones gratis, but then they too melted over time.

I have learned...no more Quantums for me..I am DONE with them.

[*Hootie]

Can everyone on this forum say they have NEVER ever had a problem with a Shimano product? I dont care how good they are, you can get a dud in anything.

[ChiCityBasser]

I haven't had a problem with the Quantum finishes but I fish from the shore so no boat rash issues and other than a nick or two here or there they have been pretty durable.

[A-Jay]

To the OP - you wanted to know what people were basing their negative opinions on regarding Quantum reels, and the members have responded.

I believe you get what you pay for. If you purchase an entry level reel, you'll get an entry level product.

If you purchase the higher end gear and take reasonable care in maintaining it, it should last and perform accordingly. That's my opinion -

I have up wards of 20 Quantum Casting / Spinning reels.

I have not seen any of the problems listed here but have been satisfied with the performance of these reels from day one.

And then there's this ~

In general, an opinion is a subjective belief, and is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts. An opinion may be supported by an argument although people may draw opposing opinions from the same set of facts. Opinions rarely change without new arguments being presented. However, it can be reasoned that one opinion is better supported by the facts than another by analyzing the supporting arguments. In casual use, the term opinion may be the result of a person's perspective, understanding, particular feelings, beliefs and desires. It may refer to unsubstantiated information, in contrast to knowledge and fact-based beliefs.

A-Jay

[ww2farmer]

Wow I have never had any problems with my Quantum reels. I use the Energy PT and Tour Edition PT (new and old model). They have never given me any problems. I don't know how a reel can have cosmetic issues as bad as the one pictured above??

I would like to know too. Is that your reel John? The damage on the spool almost looks like something corrosive got on the metal and ate it away.

[shootermcbob]

To the OP - you wanted to know what people were basing their negative opinions on regarding Quantum reels, and the members have responded.

I believe you get what you pay for. If you purchase an entry level reel, you'll get an entry level product.

If you purchase the higher end gear and take reasonable care in maintaining it, it should last and perform accordingly. That's my opinion -

I have up wards of 20 Quantum Casting / Spinning reels.

I have not seen any of the problems listed here but have been satisfied with the performance of these reels from day one.

And then there's this ~

In general, an opinion is a subjective belief, and is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts. An opinion may be supported by an argument although people may draw opposing opinions from the same set of facts. Opinions rarely change without new arguments being presented. However, it can be reasoned that one opinion is better supported by the facts than another by analyzing the supporting arguments. In casual use, the term opinion may be the result of a person's perspective, understanding, particular feelings, beliefs and desires. It may refer to unsubstantiated information, in contrast to knowledge and fact-based beliefs.

A-Jay

A-Jay, well said. I always enjoy your perspective.

[Gone_Phishin]

I try not to bash, but....One reel in a long list of "anecdotal" blemishes that adds up to poor quality:

Wow! Was that spool fished in saltwater?

[Hooligan]

Shouldn't matter, that's a saltwater safe finish, according to Quantum. Even if you don't rinse it right away it shouldn't have that sort of damage.

The things that I most often see with Quantum is not just superficial, they've got very weak worm gears, the bearing surfaces are very often not aligned properly and the clutch is somewhat lacking. I've had numerous instances in which a brand new reel's AR has gone out in a matter of days of fishing it. That said, the Tour KVD is likely one of the best mass market reels I've ever owned. I've had few issues with it in comparison to every other Q reel I've owned.