Im looking to buy a new Abu Garcia reel and I am set between the Revo MGX or the Revo Rocket. I realize the Rocket is a faster reel and 50 dollars less but other than that are there any differences between the two.

 

-BeenReel

These two reels are built for different things. The Revo Rocket is basically a Premier with the only difference being that a Premier is lighter due to a carbon side plate but the Rocket has a faster gear ratio. The Rocket is also built on the newer Gen 3 design which is MUCH more comfortable to hold in my opinion. The MGX is built to cast light baits but the reel itself is bulkier due to the different design. MGX is lighter than the Rocket though.

 

Long story short, if you want a reel that is designed to throw light baits, go with the MGX. If you want a reel with fast retrieve that would be good for topwaters, flipping/pitching, or anything else where it is important to take in line quickly, go with the Rocket.

The MGX is actually the first Gen 3 Revo model. Its got a much lighter and shallower spool. Its target when it came out was the Core 50. The Rocket has the dual braking system, aluminum frame and side plates, and according to TT, a much stronger drag, and of course its heavier but still not very heavy by todays standards.

Shimano chronarch Ci4+

I would recommend buying a Chronarch CI4+ over the MGX. The Chronarch has the same performance band as the MGX with a lower price. The Rocket is a great reel for all high-speed fishing. If you want a more versatile reel go with the MGX or Chronarch, if you want a super speed reel go with the Rocket. 

In my opinion the Rockets gear ratio is a little to high.

the Rocket is pretty much an STX, good reel, very fast and versatile. MGX break system is much better and it can throw really light baits. The MGX can be used for a lot of things and comes in a 7.9 version which is pretty fast. I use mine for pitching up to 1/2 oz and they are great. Tackle Tour has great reviews on both reels and they love the MGX

The MGX is actually the first Gen 3 Revo model. Its got a much lighter and shallower spool. Its target when it came out was the Core 50. The Rocket has the dual braking system, aluminum frame and side plates, and according to TT, a much stronger drag, and of course its heavier but still not very heavy by todays standards.

 

Yes, the MGX is a Gen 3 Revo model, but it is a different shape than the rest of the Gen 3 Revos. It is shaped much more similarly to older Revo models. If you hold the two in your hands side by side, the difference is very noticeable.

Yes, the MGX is a Gen 3 Revo model, but it is a different shape than the rest of the Gen 3 Revos. It is shaped much more similarly to older Revo models. If you hold the two in your hands side by side, the difference is very noticeable.

Mgx has the smaller gear set like the ltx, lt, mgxtreme, and I think the alt as well.  These reels have a slightly narrower spool than the other gen 3 revos at around 25.6 vs 27.3mm.  Other than weight differences, I can't figure out what the deuce could be much more noticeable.  Take some time to compare schematics between a gen 3 premier palm side plate and an mgx palm side plate; you'd be pleasantly surprised how many parts are shared.  

 

I've done a lot of parts of swapping:

Gen3 sx, stx, inshore-> premier spool with IVCBVI braking

Gen3 premier -> IVCBVI

Yeah I got a gen 3 sx, a gen 2 sx, and an mgx, and there isn't a way in heck that the mgx is closer to the gen 2 in any way, shape, or form. You will not notice a difference between an mgx or gen 3 revo besides the gear size.