PRICE to LIFE Ratio ...

[charlie bouy]

Ok, i know the answer is alvey....
BUT, when it comes to spin reels is a mid range reel the better option? or is it better to buy a cheap one every couple of months..

What reels have lasted you the longest...and how much did they cost?

[NAGG]

Ok, i know the answer is alvey....
BUT, when it comes to spin reels is a mid range reel the better option? or is it better to buy a cheap one every couple of months..

What reels have lasted you the longest...and how much did they cost? .....:) Spend the bucks & you will have reels that last! My 2 oldies are a Daiwa Emblem X 2000 (< $300) & a Shimano Baitrunner 6500 ($150) ... both are 1998 vintage & are still part of my mainstream tackle 8-) NAGG

[Noelm]

I have two Penn Spinfishers that are well over 12 years old, and still going strong, so I guess something can be said for quality, though for the beach I tend to go cheaper, the sand will get almost anything in the end.

[charlie bouy]

i agree noelm. I have had my 9500ss for five years now (i've finally grown into it. and it is good as new... luck for us we got ours while they were coming out of the us they are now comming outta china with cheaper pieces and parts.

[nigelr]

I have two Penn Spinfishers over 20 years old, still going strong.
Have a Mitchell 499 prob 35 yo still works great.
Have several French-made Bretton surf reels, a couple of which would be at least 40 yo, strong as.
My point, quality will last if you respect it, ie clean it up after a saltwater session, maintain the bail roller, re-grease the internals occasionally, etc etc.
My experiences with cheap reels have taught me never to buy them!
The most expensive of the above reels was the Mitchell, cost me $140 approx, but was 'as new'. Bought off Ebay.
The Brettons are superior, IMO, bought them off Ebay France, (quite le experience!) dearest one cost me $140, mint in the original box, with papers, was made circa 1966.
The Penns cost me $150 for the pair off an old mate, well used but prob another 10 years in them, at least!
Not as high-tech as modern reels, but I love using them, great strength and quality.
Cheers!::)

[Luc]

I have an ABU 5500C over 25 years old and still going strong.

I also have 2 of the Shakespeare 'Blue' series spin reels (2400 & 2430) of the same vintage also still going strong.

Regular maintenance is the key to longevity of any gear.

Luc

[Tangles]

Theres an old saying..."the poor man pays twice"... terrible saying i know but rings true sometimes and i reckon it does with reels,,, my old man always was buying cheapies and telling me what a bargain it was, but he was pretty quiet about them when they failed.. i ended up buying him a nice reel a couple of months ago

cheers
Mike

[dogsbody]

Penn 850 spinfisher bout 12 yr old still going only replaced drag washers they were ok but im off to the Swains in june it's better to be safe than oh sh!t lost a beauty. Oh yeah $185

Also a abu 6500c3 13 yrs on still goin strong agian replaced drag washers they were getting grippey (is that a word) anyway the smile on your face from quality lasts longer than the one of a cheap bargin. $145

Dave.

[Kiktz]

Charlie,

Correct use of a reel, great maintance and care
most will proform.

The penn spin reels though seem to hold the test of time

Aj

[Noelm]

just remembered I have an ABU 2500 that is over 30years old, and would still hold it's own with most of the new "thermo nuclear, chemically something or other" that you will buy today, and not a spec of corrosion to be seen on it.

[rabbi]

I have a couple of Shimano BKM100 baitcasters I bought back in 1982 on special at $70 each and apart from having paint worn off the handles from use they are still going strong and have seen the transition from mono line to braid. Brilliant reels, strong and smooth drag. Probly would'nt get parts now but who needs em. I currently use Okuma eggbeaters for spinning jew and own acouple of EZ90 reels. At $150 ea they have performed faultlessly with tons of use. Maintenance is the key to long life. Cheers, steve.8-)

[seatime]

The Penn spinfishers & shimano's with waterproof drags & real bearings are the way to go, a freshwater wash, pull em down and oil regularly, even alvey's need lub occasionally. what about a sea martin for the surf?

[candogu]

I got a 4500 Baitrunner in 89,, pay about 300ish i think... it lasted till 2 years ago when i got it done up........... love it still and will not part with it,, but dosen't get much use nower days..:D

Noel

[reggy]

Nigelr

Hope I`m not hijacking the thread here, but you have got me intrigued with your Brettons. Any chance of a pic`?

Reggy:-/

[B_E_N]

i think you have to look at the quality and composition of the reel before making any decision. my old man brought a tss4 back when they first came out, and we just got a second a couple years back, and i cant see any difference between the older one and new one. id look into the reel and get to know what last longest.

[nigelr]

Hi Reggy, bear with me, haven't put a pic up before, so may take a little time!
Will be happy to comply, if I can!
Cheers.
http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/7/4/5/f_dadsreels00m_dd3f519.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?srv=img03&img=/7/4/5/f_dadsreels00m_dd3f519.jpg)

[reggy]

Nigelr
Thanks for the photo, you really look after your gear well.
They are in great condition. I like the little keeper arm off the line roller,probably more reliable than a bail arm.
I`d never heard of Brettons before, very exotic. Reminds me a bit of a spanish reel called Alcedo.

cheers, Reggy

and happy easter!