To all the metanium users out there, I'm looking to pick one up. Bps has the 13 on sale for the weekend and I'm thinking about purchasing it. But my question is has anybody that uses this reel have used the new mgl? If so is it worth it compared to say spending the $300 on the 13? I want to utilize the opportunity while its there but don't want to feel like id be wasting my money if the mgl is that much better. Thanks again

I have both the 2013 Met and the 2016 Met MGL. While there may be some improvements to the Met MGL that could result in some theoretical advantages...they fish the same for me on the water. 

The $299 price at BPS is a very good price for a Met, close to what I paid for my JDM Mets back when the dollar/yen exchange rate was really favorable.

I have both and they feel very similar to me, but prefer the cosmetics of the MGL.  You can buy the MGL from Japan for about $300 shipped and boy do they ship it fast.  Japan lure shop and digitaka are some of my favorite vendors.

the jdm MGL holds a little less line than the usdm version and you don't get the warranty. still worth it to go JDM IMO. buy an extra spool from shimano usa and put braid on the shallow one!

the 13 Metanium is a great reel and I hear the MGL is better.

I have 3 13's and got 2 16's and a 15 Aldebaran 51HG on sale yesterday for $314 a pc. The cheapest the 16 JDM Mets are goin for on the auction site right now is $323. 

wow, yen dropped a lot in the last few days.

$292 plus shipping for MGL. Digitaka has free shipping but only a lefty in stock.

https://japanlureshop.com/reel/shimano/shimano-baitcasting/16-metanium-mgl.html

I have both. They are both really solid and have a major role in my arsenal. I prefer the 13 Met just a little bit more, I honestly don't know why but I just like it more. 

Im looking to sell my jdm met mgl

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Sadly I missed out on the bps sale. They were all sold out by the time I got home from work today. How ever I will be checking out japan tackle.

25 minutes ago, sgibby88 said:

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Sadly I missed out on the bps sale. They were all sold out by the time I got home from work today. How ever I will be checking out japan tackle.

Jun at Japan Tackle gives excellent customer service...but his prices are somewhat higher than other JDM sources.  You might want to check out Japan Lure Shop and Digitaka and compare prices...

i was trying to find the digitaka site but couldnt, anyone have the link? 

www.digitaka.com

Metaniums are great reels.  The braking system is different between the 13 and 16...6 brakes to 4 but the 4 are supposed to be an improvement.

I would have a hard time ever parting with my 16 Meg MGL XG. IMO it is one of the finesse low profile, light weight bait casters I have ever used. I think Shimano really mad this reel a great performer and very user friendly with the ability to open up the reels performance with users with a trained thumb as well.