What are your thoughts on this reel? Is it worth the price tag? Is there anything cheaper that matches the quality?

Thanks

 

 

I had one. I bought it in sale for 20%off though. I don't pay full price for anything fishing related. Its a nice feeling reel in hand. I liked it better on some rods than others as far as comfort. Brakes took me a little bit to figure out, but that was because I was treating them like a dual braking system, when really it's not. It was greasy out of the box but that would be my only real complaint. Casts great, smooth retrieve.

If it's worthy of the price tag is really only up to you to decide. For the price I got mine for, I was very happy with it. I know there are some guys out there that actually prefer the curado I over the ci4. I can't speak to that as I've only held the curado in store. Hope that helps.

Its a great reel I have had mine for about a year now. The only advantage I would say it has over the curado I is that its a bit lighter. I also bought mine on sale for 200 so that was worth it to me.

I own 3 of them and I absolutely love them. For the price, I don't think there's anything else out there that beats it. I haven't tried the new Zillion TWS (which is $30 more), but that's probably the only other reel that might compare. To me, the price upgrade over the Curado I or Chronarch E, it's definitely worth the upgrade. 

 

Now if only they would make a 5:1 left handed model, I'd be a happy camper. 

I have the Chronarch, and the Curado i and my preference is the Curado.

Hootie

I have the curado I and I love it

Have a Curado i and love it and am deciding between trying this one or getting another curado and it seems I'll be taking the 135 dollar route

I have the ci4+ in lefty and it is darn near my favorite reel.  It's light, bearings are pretty good and it's pretty easy to adjust the brakes.  The spool is kind of shallow.  But otherwise no complaints.  I got a lews bb1pro for christmas and have yet to get it out on the water.  I like the size of the lews better, we'll see how it performs this spring.

I've had my Chonarch CI4+ since release.  Bought it on sale with no tax sale too.  It is smooth and it is a favorite reel of mine, I love using it as my texas rig/jig reel.  It is really smoooooth.  Only issue for me is that I haven't seen it for that price here in Canada/Ontario again.  Retail here is about 50-60 bucks more than the US.  If I'm paying that much money I'd rather try my first Core (used) or a Calais (used).  Just can't justify right now at full price.  Not that it isn't worth it, but I try to avoid paying full price.  At full price or near (tax on retail) I can find those two reels cheaper (core) or the same (Calais).  I haven't spent 300 bucks on a reel yet. 

Performance wise the Ci4+ and Curado I should be really close. They are on paper. The CH is an ounce lighter if that matters and the CU has the Balanced Spool feature. Feature for feature the CH is competitive with other brands at the price point. There's so many good reels to choose from now days you can feel good about just looking for a deal on something with the features that are important to you. 

I have the Chronarch, and the Curado i and my preference is the Curado.

Hootie

I have both as well and i prefer the ci4 based on size and lightness

Bang for buck however the curado i is in a class by itself. Honestly ill buy another curado i before i buy another ci4

Actually ill probably get another chronarch 51 before either lol

I have two Curado i and one Chronarch CI4 i like the CI4 a tad bit better because it is lighter, and handles lighter baits a little better. But do I like it $100 more? The answer is no, for me at least, I think the Curado I is the best bang for your buck