This reel is awesome!! The best part is that it costed me only $50 and it's the best reel I have seen for the money. It is smooth, and casts a mile. I can't see my self getting any 200 dollar reel if this reel is going to work just as good as those $200-400 reels. If you are looking for an insanely good reel, try the Abu Garcia Black Max!!!

LOL... is the black max the only reel you have?

No

I thought the same thing, then I used a Revo. The BlackMax is not bad, but is nothing compared even to a Revo S.

Sorry man, the black max is no where near even a $100 reel. I've got one, it's fine.

This reel is awesome!! The best part is that it costed me only $50 and it's the best reel I have seen for the money. It is smooth, and casts a mile. I can't see my self getting any 200 dollar reel if this reel is going to work just as good as those $200-400 reels. If you are looking for an insanely good reel, try the Abu Garcia Black Max!!!

 

Sounds like it's working great for you. It's good to have a reel you're enthusiastic about. 

Just take care of it. I hear they start sounding weird and grinding in a year or two. But you're right they are pretty nice reels brand new. And like I said if taken care of you can make that thing last a while.

No

Personally, I think the black max cant compare to any reel above 60$. Way too much plastic and cheap components.

Just take care of it. I hear they start sounding weird and grinding in a year or two. But you're right they are pretty nice reels brand new. And like I said if taken care of you can make that thing last a while.

They are ok I guess for the price but they feel cheap and flimsy to me. I tore one up over the course of last summer and it was pretty wasted in that time. Granted I used it for frogging and jigs with braided line so that didn't do it any favors.

Glad to hear you have a reel you like. It makes going fishing more enjoyable than going and cursing your gear all the time. Keep fishing it and have fun. Don't worry about everyone talking it down. If you enjoy it that is all that matters.

Have you ever fished a $200-$400 reel? I've fished a lot of baitcasters from $30 to $600+. The Black Max, while not a terrible reel, is nowhere near even the $100 range reels, let alone a $200-$400 reel. The only >$100 reel I'd take a Black Max over would be an Ardent. 

Tried helping a friend use his last night. He said he bought it because it was cheap and the guy at the local shop recommended it. He now wants something better. The reel works and feels like $50 reel. Nothing more and nothing less.

It's nice that you are excited and enthusiastic about your new reel. Care for it and enjoy fishing. The real difference between reels <$100 and $100> is not so much how the work when new, but rather how long each will last. A $125 reel could conceivably outlive the Black Max by 10 times. Never spend above your means, but if ever in the position to purchase higher level equipment do yourself a favor and at least consider it. 

Take care of it, my first two baitcast reels were black maxes. One fell to the depths of lake, attached to a vendetta :/ . The other has since had its mechanical failures, but it was going strong three years in. The reel had a niche where it performed flawlessly casting topwaters with 8lb mono. So it became a dedicated setup for topwaters. That being said, I think a Black Max is a fine reel. It all boils down to preferences and experiences. I'd take a Black Max over a lot of other reels up to $60, and any quantum under 100 . Restating what others have said, a 100+ reel is a lot better, which is a good thing! I would suggest your next purchase be a reel in the 100 dollar range, something like a Daiwa Tatula or Lews Speed Spool. If you decide you'd rather not spend that much on a reel, I highly recommend the Shimano Caius. Retails 69.99 but can be had for much less, take advantage of sales. I got mine for about  $55 and I really like it. Never used to be a Shimano guy, but that Caius has to be the best sub $70 out there. 

At that price, I would much rather get a h20 mettle. Haven't heard one bad thing about this reel.

If it works for you, great! Enjoy the reel