I got a lot of gift cards to cabela's but I can't decide between the diawa Tatula type r or the shimano chronarch ci4. Any info to help me out would be great thanks everyone

chronarch.

First off, if you are going to get the tatula, I would go for the regular, unless fishing saltwater/brackish. The type-r has a lighter spool (by 2-3 grams, not very noticeable), 2 CRBB's (corrosion resistant), a zaion star drag, and red accents. The CRBB's are only necessary if you are fishing saltwater. The spool is not much lighter so casting distance is basically the same. The zaion star drag feels similar to plastic (which the regular has) so that isn't a big deal either IMO.

With the $50 you can save from buying the standard, you can buy 4 bearings to upgrade the levelwind bushings to bearings + to add to knobs. You could also buy some OS7's. If you manage to save a few left over $$ after all this, then you can buy either a metal star drag off a zillion or another daiwa, or a larger silver spool tension knob off a zillion which looks very nice on the tatula.

 

I have not used the CI4+ so I cannot comment on that.. I personally don't like the feel of a composite or graphite or carbon fiber frame so I personally would stay away from that.

Hmm...

 

You will find the CI4+ ready to fish right out of the box. 

Two very different reels, go to the store and check them out for yourself, see which one you like the best.