Should I stick with the new Shimano Citica I or pick up an older Shimano Calais cl200?

Never used either reel.  The Citica weighs almost 2 oz. less and costs about $270 less than the Calais did in 2009.  TT has reviewed both.  Have you read their reviews?

TT can be taken with a grain of salt. That said, those reels are not apples to apples. They're both good reels for their target market and price point but different animals. The citica is a lighter workhorse type reel where the Calais is refined but hefty reel. 

I've got the opportunity to pick up a user Calais for $100.  That's why I've brought up these two reels.

39 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

TT can be taken with a grain of salt. That said, those reels are not apples to apples. They're both good reels for their target market and price point but different animals. The citica is a lighter workhorse type reel where the Calais is refined but hefty reel. 

 

OP, sorry.  It was the Citica G they tested.  They gave the Citica a Great and the Calais a Good, but price is also figured in.

 

With the exception of moi.........I imagine people tend to gravitate towards one type of reel and thus may be slightly bias without realizing it.  Then we have those who think any reel under $400 has to be garbage.  Then we have those who think anyone paying over $100 for a reel must be an idiot.

IMO I'd go with the Calais at that price, because you can buy a a Citica easily down the road.  I don't see a Calais go that low often.  

I'd save up  a little more and grab a Curado 70!

13 hours ago, Brandon Moss said:

I've got the opportunity to pick up a user Calais for $100.  That's why I've brought up these two reels.

 

That's a no brainer. Buy the calais & then have it serviced by DVT. 

17 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

TT can be taken with a grain of salt. That said, those reels are not apples to apples. They're both good reels for their target market and price point but different animals. The citica is a lighter workhorse type reel where the Calais is refined but hefty reel. 

I respect your feedback and opinion, so I'm curious why you say to ignore TT. Do you think their reviews are inaccurate or influenced by sponsors? Everyone has different preferences and reviews can't cater to that, but I find theirs informative and mostly accurate with respect to performance, quality, and features. I think it's a nice starting place if they've reviewed what I'm looking at. Granted, there are a ton of variables. You get wider perspective in a forum like this one. 

3 hours ago, ksfishinguy said:

I respect your feedback and opinion, so I'm curious why you say to ignore TT. Do you think their reviews are inaccurate or influenced by sponsors? Everyone has different preferences and reviews can't cater to that, but I find theirs informative and mostly accurate with respect to performance, quality, and features. I think it's a nice starting place if they've reviewed what I'm looking at. Granted, there are a ton of variables. You get wider perspective in a forum like this one. 

 

People that discredit TT need to post their reviews of rods reels tackle for our critique. 

7 hours ago, ksfishinguy said:

I respect your feedback and opinion, so I'm curious why you say to ignore TT. Do you think their reviews are inaccurate or influenced by sponsors? Everyone has different preferences and reviews can't cater to that, but I find theirs informative and mostly accurate with respect to performance, quality, and features. I think it's a nice starting place if they've reviewed what I'm looking at. Granted, there are a ton of variables. You get wider perspective in a forum like this one. 

Not ignore just don't put all your eggs in that basket. If you follow long enough you'll notice some biases. Some of their comments and assertions  are debatable imo but often stated as fact. Again I don't have any bone to pick I just don't think they're the final word any more than am l, John, Gary or any one source. 

A Calais is a super fine reel.