As a Daiwa reel "diehard" I was really disappointed after reading the Tackle tour breakdown of the new Zillion. It's a Tatula with a different spool and some body work. Come on Daiwa your better than that. Might have to venture into Shimano land. Any thoughts out there???

You could try a Met and a Conquest. Below that I would just buy more OG Zillions.

Can't say I've used the new Zillion TWS, but the Metanium is truly one amazing reel. 

Why stick with one brand anyway. Many options out there to just wait for one brand to come out a with a new product

Reel brands are like women... I can't just commit to one. I just got my first Lews.

I dropped Daiwa in 08, not because they are bad reels, because the QC stank.. 40% of my brand new purchase's were defective.. I just got fed up with it, I use Shimano with great results, I still like Daiwa though, probably always will..

Why would that make you change brands. They just now finally are doing what shimano has always done, but no one notices. A citica is a curado is a chronarch. Just a bearing count difference. Why abandon one brand for doing what all do.

There are always the tried and true classic Daiwa reels. Pixies, TDZ, Steeze, Alphas, etc. Plenty of them to be found online still. You don't have to buy new Daiwa reels to keep yourself in the Daiwa camp. I fish mostly Daiwa and Shimano reels from years past to the present.

If you decide to switch to Shimano try a few reels first before going all in. I would fish them for a good while too.

I dropped Daiwa in 08, not because they are bad reels, because the QC stank.. 40% of my brand new purchase's were defective.. I just got fed up with it, I use Shimano with great results, I still like Daiwa though, probably always will..

That's about the same time frame I went through 3 new Diawa's in a weeks span, most not making it through the first day. I've had a hard time buying their products anymore. Really dissapointing to have $200-$300 reels go down after a few hour fishing. Brian.

Go Daiwa JDM!

Every brand has their ups and downs. Shimano was on a downward path 4 years ago. The last 2 years and including this past few months Shimano is on fire. It's good that people are complaining about Daiwa. It'll only push them to make better product.

If you want to buy some new reels, any justification you need to purchase them is ok by me.  The difference between Diawa addicts and Shimano addicts is kind of like the difference between Lutherans and Methodists, i.e. there isn't a whole lot of difference and what difference there are are mostly cosmetic.

 

As a Shimano guy ( Most of my reels are Shimano, not ALL) I'd point out that you can't make a fair comparison by buying just one Shimano, you will need to purchase at least half a dozen for a fair comparison.

 

I'm glad I could help.

For several years people have been complaining about Daiwa releasing "just another Zillion variant". How many times have you read that online? Well, they responded. Just not like we all hoped.

 

What I really hoped was they would emulate Shimano, and break the barrier between JDM and USDM.

 

Hey Daiwa, start selling us the same stuff you sell in Japan. Are we not worthy?

For you guys with defective Daiwas, what are you experiencing? I haven't seen any major influx in the shop. I'm curious. 

For several years people have been complaining about Daiwa releasing "just another Zillion variant". How many times have you read that online? Well, they responded. Just not like we all hoped.

 

What I really hoped was they would emulate Shimano, and break the barrier between JDM and USDM.

 

Hey Daiwa, start selling us the same stuff you sell in Japan. Are we not worthy?

They tried, the Z200(watered down version of the Z2020) failed. Not because it was a bad reel, but probably because they made the mistake of pricing it the same as the Calais DC. It should have been $450-500 tops. The Sol(US version of the Alphas) was axed a long time ago. Have no idea why. T3s are apparently gone but still available in Japan. Pixies have been axed across the board probably due to the SS Airs.

I've sold off all my non Daiwa/Shimano reels and now stick with the big 2.  Both companies make great products and I love having both in my arsenal but I'm a Daiwa fan at heart.  

For you guys with defective Daiwas, what are you experiencing? I haven't seen any major influx in the shop. I'm curious. 

 

I broke the reel foot off a lexa on a hookset. I grenaded a mag brake system on another $100 daiwa. I think they make great upper priced reels but the lower price points are just not enough for the average guy. Most people cant swallow breaking a $100 reel in a couple weeks time.

You are the first I've ever heard that from. I had 2 Lexa's and 2 Exceler Exe's. All 4 have been sold off and are still in use. I fished them for over a year and pretty regularly at that. A call to Daiwa and they would have replaced them for you. Probably at no cost to except maybe shipping.

If they followed shimanos path I hope they don't add $100 to the price for their imported jdms!

Why would that make you change brands. They just now finally are doing what shimano has always done, but no one notices. A citica is a curado is a chronarch. Just a bearing count difference. Why abandon one brand for doing what all do.

 

 100% correct

I broke the reel foot off a lexa on a hookset. I grenaded a mag brake system on another $100 daiwa. I think they make great upper priced reels but the lower price points are just not enough for the average guy. Most people cant swallow breaking a $100 reel in a couple weeks time.

 

 This is the first I've heard of something like this too but all reel companies can have a defective reel from time to time. Daiwa has top tier CS though and they would have fixed that for you in a heart beat. Both Shimano and Diawa are top notch reels.

Shimano hasn't made a design change for a very long time, the Core was the last and the best change, in low profile designs. Shimano recycled or morph reels from higher end to mid range with cosmetic changes.

Don't see everyone doing handsprings over the Curado 1 series.

Daiwa is all in with TW series technology and higher speed gear ratios, everyone is trying to catch up!

Change is a risk, can't make everyone happy.

If you try a Shimano, go with a Core MG7 series.

I use both Daiwa and Shimano and both have their strengths, very few weaknesses. Bought 3 Daiwa Tatula R 100XS about 18 months ago and haven't had any issues with them.

Tom

You guys are absolutely right, I shouldve called when it happened, I chose not too for whatever reason. Likely because they werent super expensive reels. Most of these companies are good in CS if you call them. Honestly, its been a long time since ive had bad CS from any company. If you call them, tell them the truth usually problems get resolved reel (see what i did there) fast!

Shimano & Daiwa both make great reels but they also let duds slip in here and there.

I try to keep a shimano only lineup but megabass and some older daiwa platforms always intrigue me.

I will agree though that the 2015 shimano lineup is on fire compared to daiwas offerings...

Shimano hasn't made a design change for a very long time, the Core was the last and the best change, in low profile designs. Shimano recycled or morph reels from higher end to mid range with cosmetic changes.

Don't see everyone doing handsprings over the Curado 1 series.

Daiwa is all in with TW series technology and higher speed gear ratios, everyone is trying to catch up!

Change is a risk, can't make everyone happy.

If you try a Shimano, go with a Core MG7 series.

I use both Daiwa and Shimano and both have their strengths, very few weaknesses. Bought 3 Daiwa Tatula R 100XS about 18 months ago and haven't had any issues with them.

Tom

Catch up? They've been passed awhile back lol