I just wondering if anyone on here can help me decide which casting reel to go with a traveling 2 piece rod ( medium heavy )  combo I'm making up . The reel are Daiwa Exceler casting reel ( 7.1:1)  or Pflueger Purist casting reel  the new model that a ( 7.1:1 )  ? If you have any other reel choice please tell me my limit is about $79.99 - $99.99 . Extra info I have used a lot of pflueger , Abu garica , daiwa , lews and pinnacle reels but I just undecided on these two right now ?

Pro Qualifier from bass pro shops for 99 new or less on sale might be the best bet

 

If you look online or in the marketplaces you can find some nice reels in this range also 

I wouldnt buy either. I have an exceler on my bench right now that needs a new side plate. When I removed the bearing to service it, the holder holding the brake ring craked because they use a cog style retainer in it rather than a clip.

 

I just ordered a lexa on ebay new for $105 shipped. If I wouldnt have gotten it I wouldve went for the aird.

Lexa for $105 shipped - This link is a lefty

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300792634773?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

Its not a 7.1 but keep in mind this reel retails for $139.99 plus tax and shipping

I had an exceler. I wouldn't say it was bad but I wouldn't really praise it either. It felt a little rough on the retreive. I don't know how else to describe it but definitely not very smooth overall. I tried other brand new models in the store and they felt that way too. I won't really knock it for that because most reels around that price feel that way when compared to $150 reels. Obviously people are paying the extra money for something. It might have been better if I had taken it home, broke it down and cleaned/relubricated it (I normally do that but I did not on this reel). The good thing about it is that it's well built, has a metal frame, and you can find them on sale for a bit over $60 sometimes. No centerfugal brake but you usually don't get that on reels at that price point anyways. People tend to either love or hate the knobs on them.

Heres a 7.1 lexa, righty same price

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-Lexa-100HS-Baitcasting-Fishing-RH-Right-Hand-Reel-7-1-1-LEXA100HS-/300792628189?_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D4965658351856038016%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D300792634773%26

Heres a 7.1 lexa, righty same price

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Daiwa-Lexa-100HS-Baitcasting-Fishing-RH-Right-Hand-Reel-7-1-1-LEXA100HS-/300792628189?_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222002&algo=SIC.FIT&ao=1&asc=163&meid=4965658351856038016&pid=100005&prg=1088&rk=4&sd=300792634773&

Love my Lexa 100 in 7.1:1. Great reel. Picked up on eBay as well, for $10 more and free shipping.

Ive had a purist for 5 years now, great workhorse reel.