What do you think about Abu's choice to use magnetic brakes in the new orra series? I'm really disappointed with this desicion, and I feel like they're making it cheaper. I don't know if they're just trying to compete with the speed spool or what, but feel like they should have kept the centrifugal brakes.

IMO mag brakes are more user friendly. Not to say they're better or worse. Again just an opinion. I use reels that have mag, centrifugal, and both. My favorite two reels (zillion and chronarch) each use a different braking system. To each his own.

IMO mag brakes are more user friendly. Not to say they're better or worse. Again just an opinion. I use reels that have mag, centrifugal, and both. My favorite two reels (zillion and chronarch) each use a different braking system. To each his own.

I get your point, but I seem to backlash more on mag brakes as well as loose distance. I guess it's just in the hands of the user.

What do you think about Abu's choice to use magnetic brakes in the new orra series? I'm really disappointed with this desicion, and I feel like they're making it cheaper. I don't know if they're just trying to compete with the speed spool or what, but feel like they should have kept the centrifugal brakes.

 

I can see the reasoning—externally adjustable braking is "simpler" to use—but I think centrifugal braking would have been a better choice because it's more forgiving when it comes to backlashing.  Apart from Daiwa's magnetic brakes, I'm pretty much centrifugal all the way.  I'm not crazy about Abu's centrifugal braking when you get right down to it, but it's more effective than their mags.

My guess is they are trying to differentiate the orra and the revo s. in the prior generation they were very similar. I believe the only difference between the two was the orra didn't have carbon drag pads and maybe a bearing or two. Since the orra was thirty dollars less and could be had for close to half price off ebay. It makes sense to change it to make the S more appealing at its price point.

I actually liked Abu's mag breaks better than their centrifugal for some things. Namely ......skipping... I could skip a hollow body frog half way across the lake with a Revo SX with the spool tension very loose, and the mag breaks almost set to max, with no backlash. With the Revo S's centrifugal breaks, without all 6 breaks on, and fairly tight spool tension, skipping was and adventure, but with all 6 pins on....distance was a problem. The currant shimano I am using is the same way. I have never liked Daiwa's breaks for anything. Now for flat out regular casting, I like centrifugal better. My next "frog" reel is going to be a dual break system.

The super duty magnetic brakes are awesome. They are hard to backlash

My guess is they are trying to differentiate the orra and the revo s. in the prior generation they were very similar. I believe the only difference between the two was the orra didn't have carbon drag pads and maybe a bearing or two. Since the orra was thirty dollars less and could be had for close to half price off ebay. It makes sense to change it to make the S more appealing at its price point.

My thoughts as well.

My guess is they are trying to differentiate the orra and the revo s. in the prior generation they were very similar. I believe the only difference between the two was the orra didn't have carbon drag pads and maybe a bearing or two. Since the orra was thirty dollars less and could be had for close to half price off ebay. It makes sense to change it to make the S more appealing at its price point.

This makes since, but I think that since they had already released the orra with centrifugal brakes they should have kept them in the new generation. It doesn't seem like "upgrading" as much as "cheapening".