Hi,

 

I wanted to hear from people that have actually used either of these or both preferably!

 

I am torn between getting the Boca ABEC 5 or Orange ABEC 7.

 

For the price of the 7s I can do 5s in two reels.

 

Are they really worth it?

 

 

I used to use the boca 7's but now I only use the hawgtech bearings as they are still good quality but they are more affordable... For free spool the bocas will outperform the hawgtechs slightly, but actual use on the water the results are nearly indistinguishable from one another... I run mine dry...

 

Mitch

An ABEC5 is as fast as a fishing reel can make use of assuming they are a true ABEC5 from a reputable mfg/supplier, which includes Boca. 

I'm not sure if some people realize that higher ratings are used on high tech equipment like hospital laboratory analyzers and such that have a tiny tolerance for error. Fishing reels, even high end, are nowhere near as precise.

That said, I still go with abec 7 on occasion.

I just bought some hawgtech bearings for my lews.  I havent received them yet, I was in the same boat as you

Here is my take on bearings.  If you have a new or newer reel and have not had the bearings properly flushed and lubed, you should do so.  A good cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaner and a lower viscosity oil make a huge difference, for many people this will be enough.  When your reels have a little use on them and they start to become a little less smooth and casting distance seems a little off,  I recommend to replace the stock bearings with the ABEC 5 hybrids.  In many cases the  ABEC 5 bearings are comparably priced with stock replacements.  Then their are the guys that want everything they get out of their reels, enthusiasts, tuners,  guys that like to throw very light baits on casting gear.  I can see in these types of situations where an ABEC 7 bearing run dry will help to lower the startup inertia required to get the spool moving.  Many guys that fall into this category opt for micro bearings over the ABEC 7 OS.

 

Worth is something only you can determine, I stopped using ABEC 7 bearings in my everyday reels when I learned I was not good enough at casting to make proper use of them.

 

Good Luck

I have two Lew's TP reels.  One has been refitted with Boca ABEC7s and the other with Hawgtech ABEC5s.  The ABEC5s freespool longer (but the ABEC7s have more fishing time on them). The ABEC7s are quieter.  I can't tell any difference in performance when casting/fishing.

 

In the future, I'll probably buy ABEC5s.

 

Tight lines,

Bob