Have any of you guys had any hands on experience with one of these reels? Looks like a sweet reel, but I've never used any Okuma products so I am unfamiliar with them.

this was a review from tw

 

 I recently purchased a Helios HX-25-s on eBay, a model not shown on TW's website. (It has a 6.0:1 retrieve.) It is a beautiful reel It is very smooth and very light. There is a problem. After opening the bail, the rotor often gets stuck at the point where it is supposed to trip the bail and make it close. The problem is much more severe when the anti-reverse setting is on. I sent the first one back to the vendor, Fisherman's Headquarters, who paid the return freight. (By the way, they couldn't be nicer.) They expedited a shipment of a replacement from Tackle Haven. The replacement had the same issues, despite Tackle Haven indicating that they had checked the reel before shipping. I sent the replacement back to Okuma. They are curious and concerned. I will receive a free hat for my trouble:) They say they can adjust it, but I don't understand how there can be a problem like this. Can there be a bad lot? On paper, it looks like a great deal. A light-weight, carbon-fiber reel with a mail-in, $30 Okuma rebate, seems like a no-brainer.

I didn't like it. In that price range I would definitely go stradic fj.

I didn't like it. In that price range I would definitely go stradic fj.

 

I agree, especially when you can find them for $140 shipped to your door.

Thanks for the info guys!