Just wanted to ask for some advice and perhaps be set straight on these two reels. I slipped by my local tackle shop to look at adding another baitcaster to my arsenal. I currently have 2 Curado 50E's and a 200E7. I noticed a lone Cronarch 200E7 sitting there so I asked to look at it. It felt like my Curado 200e7 but no surprise there as they are the same reel aside from the name and color.

The guy then passed me two Quantum reels and said "We have these on sale if you wanted to take a look." I picked up the first which was a PT Catalyst. Checked it a bit, then put it down. I then picked up the PT Energy and played with it a bit. Wow...it felt incredibly smooth. Much smoother than the Cronarch. Now this is just playing with them in the store and not actually fishing the reel but I am confused now as what I should get.

My head is telling me that the Cronarch is the no-brainer but I just can't get past the smoothness of the PT Energy. Is it just the difference in bearings (7vs11)? I know what to expect with the Cronarch but have no clue about the PT Energy. Am I missing something?

Would love to hear some thoughts and advice.

I'd stick with the chronarch.  I have a couple of older energy pts.  They are super smooth but the chronarch is a superior reel.  It will feel much smoother when you put line on it and use it.  If you like your curado E7 you'll really love the chronarch.  A lot of people think they are exactly the same but I think the chronarch is just tighter all around.  No back play in the handle and it really does cast a little better.  Better drag than the quantums too.

Of course these are just my personal opinions and you should go with whatever feels good to you.

Good luck!

Hmmm, tough to decide .... Chonarch or whatever glorified Zebco .... nah, I'll take Chronarch, even the earliest Chronarch over the newest Quantum, any day anytime without thinking it too much.

I have 5 chronarch e series and 4 energy reels. They are both great reels. You won't go wrong with either. They both cast great, have good drags and get better with use. The newer gray/orange energy reels are great for the $100 range you can get them for. 

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the info. The Cronarch it is then.