I'm looking to replace my reel collection and I'm considering the Shimano Curado E7 and Abu Garcia's Revo STX. Has anyone compared these reels and what do you recommend.
I have two of the revo's sx and really like them. I have smaller hands and they palm really well. Very smooth and good drag system. Havn't had any problems with them at all. That being said I have owned shmanno reals for years and have found them to stand the test of time. The only spinning reel I will own is a stradic.
I am a Revo finatic, however....the Revos do not hold up as good as the shimanos. Shimano is hands down the best built, best quality reel on the market. The Revos are great reels, dont get me wrong and with the deals going on right now you might want to consider them, but i am finding out now that they just arent built like the shimanos.
I have 2 Revo Premiers and the drag slips on both of them. The little scooter stick that your line goes through, you know the thingy that cruises back and forth across that bar with all the grooves in it when you reel, well that keeps getting jammed up on one of them.
The knobs on 3 of them have popped off and now they are loose. You want to talk about annoying. Its the worst on my frog reel and both my jig reels. I put the most torque on them i guess but nothing worse than hooking into a fish and have your hand slip off the reel with the knob still in your hand.
Most of them squeak now, not too bad but enough to get to you after 8 hours. They squeak on the cast and retrieve. I have lubed them countless times and it doesnt seem to help.
In total, i have 2 Premiers, an SX, and 4 S models. The ones with the least amount of problems are the S models. Actually, i dont think they knobs have come off on those at all and only one squeaks. If your going to get one, get the S. Otherwise, get a shimano!
McCarter himself :-\'
I agree with McCarter go with shimano and save yourself some headaches down the road. I read that Bshaner is selling all his chronarch 50mgs at a decent price, you might want to look into that. I know its risky buying used but im sure he took good care of them and shimanos last a long time. I been using the chronarch 50mgs for all setups outside of any applications needing a faster retrieve or powerfull drag and they have worked flawless since the day I bought them. Unfortunatly they discontinued them to force us to fork over $400 for the cores so used is the only option if you want a super light and compact shimano at a reasonable price.
Those reels are sold. Sold in less than 2 days. That might tell you what kind of rep that Shimanos have.
I've never used a Revo, but I will never look back. Shimanos only for me for life. I converted from Quantums about 4 years ago. Best move I've ever made.
The only reason I sold the MG 50's was because I need spinning combos for the Great Lakes fishing and all my light casting can be done with spinning outside the Great Lakes. Now I just have to work on line twist and casting accuracy (I'm terrible with spinning rods).
I have an E7 and plan on buying more. It is just an awesome reel. Balanced, smooth and durable. It can actually pull double duty. It can be a heavy or light application reel. You just have to match it with the correct rod for whichever application you want.
Get yourself an E7 and I doubt you will look back either.
B
I agree on the Curado E7. It really is a great reel. I have a couple Ardent's and really love them but the quality hasn't been there. Both reels have been back to Ardent for repair. You can be confident with Shimano. I have no experience with Revo to compare.
I had a Revo SX-HS and traded it, worked out good for me it sounds like since it is now McCarters. ;D
I have a 200E7 and a 201E7 and the only trouble I have had with them is getting the 200 to cast light baits without backlashing. It did OK, but then out of the blue - backlash! Those were really small jigs though, now I use it for jerkbaits and have had zero trouble. The 201 is on my spook rod and casts a mile! It surprised me and cast down into the mono backing on my braid, need more line but it is a great reel.
I also have pretty small hands but they have a super low profile that fits well while keeping a really big spool. I'll be buying more unless I get rich and can afford Core 50 Mg7s. Another nice thing about Shimano that I don't know if Abu does is all the reel schematics are available here. (http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/customer_service0/Reel_Schematics.html)
I had problems with my E7 backlashing with smaller weights also....I turned on one more magnet and it went away........I was casting a weightless fluke so that is pretty light....
Good reel so far, but I haven't used it much...I have heard good things about both reels so it is probably personal preference...Try them both and see what fits you best..
Quote from: Bender on October 05, 2009, 10:43:01 PM
I also have pretty small hands
and he smells like cabbage :D
Curados...very sweet. Best out reels out there. Smaller hands like me ...like the Revo best. Once I got the backlash thing worked out (a tiny bit LESS line on the spool) I love it for jerkbaits and froggin'.
Both great reels IMHO.
I am seeing ppl chime in comparing a Revo or Revo sx like its the same as an STX ... I'll be one to tell ya, I own a Revo and an STX and there is no comparision.
My 50 cents may or may not have an impact - but I took advantage of the TBF club 1 day 50% off sale on Abu / Berkley / Fenwick products and picked up a Fenwick Elite Series spinnerbait rod (shorter butt / half glass on end half) and a Revo STX ($400 for the combo) for $200 bucks and I have to say the combo feels like jewelry. Every fish on the spinner sets its own hook due to the rod, and I have such good control now casting around rocks, docks and trees. I dont go below 3/8 oz on the spinnerbaits, so I cant help you decide on the light weight baits, but I m loving the reel........ HOWevaaa .... Now Im also going to agree with every word Triton TR20 said about Stradic and Shimano in general, and BShaner when he switched away from Quantum well that is just common sense....
Im fairly certain you cannot go wrong with either of these awesome reels.
I've worked on both. The revo is nothing but problem after problem. The curado E7 is very much like the good old green Curado VERY VERY dependable. The ONE I had to work on wasn't the reels fault OPERATOR error. What more can I say. Stay with the Shiman and keep on fish'n
Reelman
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I own 2 curado 200e7's.. I really like them.. You can throw small baits with no problems.. The spool is super free when you back the mags off.. My 9 year old uses one with no problems!!! Slimm
I just picked up the new curado E5 and love it....
Don L