I always thought you wanted even number of centrifugal brakes on for balance, but I guess that was wrong. I was wondering if it is ok to have just 1 centrifugal brake on and if so, does anyone here only use 1 centrifugal brake on their reels?

I always thought you wanted even number of magnetic brakes on for balance, but I guess that was wrong. I was wondering if it is ok to have just 1 magnetic brake on and if so, does anyone here only use 1 magnetic brake on their reels?

What you are referring to are not magnetic brakes, they are centrifugal brake tabs.  The differences between magnetic and centrifugal brakes are very important to understand as they both operate very differently and effect different parts of the cast.

 

To answer your question, it is fine to have only one centrifugal brake set in the on position.

Yep.

Yep

Yep.

  

Yep

Do you guys use only 1 brake or are you just saying it's ok?

And...yep.

I only use one on my Shimano reels, there's no issue.

I use one brake for pitching most of the time, especially with lighter baits. When casting I usually use two or three.

I use one on both of my Antares, never has caused a problem. The balance thing is false.

It depends but yes sometimes I only use 1

Do you guys use only 1 brake or are you just saying it's ok?

I frequently use 1 tab on my Shimanos. 

BB1 I use 2, my Team Lew's Gold's, all 5 use 1 brake in wind I dial in a little mag, There is no reason to turn on any more brakes than you need to control the spool, using more than necessary just robs free spool ability!  Trust me ,,,,, everyone wouldn't lie to you

Yep...

Depending , on you're casting ability though..

1 is fine if it provides the braking you want. If using more than 1 I suggest spacing them opposite one another. It's not hyper critical though.