From Shimano:

 

"The side plates are CI4 material. This new composite is a little stronger than the CI4+ material. The model being sold in Japan uses the same material. The CI4 logo refers to the side plates.

MGL is for Magnumlite which refers to the spool. This has the new spool design and the latest generation of SVS as well."
 

Which one do you prefer the HG or XG?

I just purchased the 8.1:1 because I fish plastics a great deal on the Potomac.

I have an HG on the way...I figure 7.1:1 for a versatile reel in the most versatile ratio.  Hopefully it's a really nice reel.  It's going on a Jackall Poison Adrena 7' medium rod.

On 2/22/2017 at 3:26 PM, lmbfisherman said:

I'm not looking for something in general and yes I'm referring to the JDM Met MGL.  I'm just thinking considering the JDM price point vs the Chronarch MGL (US), I'd rather just get the Met MGL.  Since the Met MGL has a smaller capacity I was stating if I needed a bigger spool I'd just get a Curado.  I'm not saying the Chronarch MGL is bad or anything, but considering the price difference, I'd just get another Met.  That is all, not knocking!  I like my sole Chronarch CI4+ but I don't use it as much as my other reels (Mets, Chronarch Es and Curado Es and Chronarch 50 MGs).

 

The Alde is definitely on my to buy list, along with an Antares, Scorpion DC, Scorpion 70 and another Conquest.    Just have to balance staying married. 

So I'm going to have to walk back my statement, for a couple reasons. 

 

1. The USD is killing the Canadian Dollar.

2. For some reason the government has dinged me a few times recently ordering stuff from overseas on import taxes.  They weren't like this before! Due to this it is a better deal to buy the Chronarch MGL.

3. After spending time with one in store, I pulled the trigger on the Chronarch MGL XG.  Out of the box it felt smooth as I remember with my Met MGL.  At least, I couldn't tell the difference.  I spooled it up with 50lb Max Cuatro and will be my pitching reel.  This will replace my Citica G7. 

 

I am going to give it a whirl this weekend to do some on the water tests.  If this goes great I'll buy two more to replace my 2 remaining Citicas.  

I don't know if you messed around with this reel yet but it pitches better than any reel I've ever held.  I know it's not meant exactly for it but I love bombing lipless cranks and Ploppers.  TBH I think Shimano has cut into their metanium market with this Chronarch MGL, specs nearly the same and the brass gearing.  It's so smooth I thought the drag was too low the first few fish I caught.  My plan was to get a few of the exact reels you mentioned later this year but I think I'll just grab another Chronarch or two, it's that good.  After messing around with a Met MGL I just don't think it's worth the extra $.  You won't want to put it down.

 

I've owned a Curado i for a few months and absolutely loved it until I grabbed the MGL now it just feels average at best.

 

Dumb question but do you pay taxes on items from Europe too?  Got mine for $200 and it's the best money I've spent on fishing gear....ever.

8 hours ago, fatmaple said:

I don't know if you messed around with this reel yet but it pitches better than any reel I've ever held.  I know it's not meant exactly for it but I love bombing lipless cranks and Ploppers.  TBH I think Shimano has cut into their metanium market with this Chronarch MGL, specs nearly the same and the brass gearing.  It's so smooth I thought the drag was too low the first few fish I caught.  My plan was to get a few of the exact reels you mentioned later this year but I think I'll just grab another Chronarch or two, it's that good.  After messing around with a Met MGL I just don't think it's worth the extra $.  You won't want to put it down.

 

I've owned a Curado i for a few months and absolutely loved it until I grabbed the MGL now it just feels average at best.

 

Dumb question but do you pay taxes on items from Europe too?  Got mine for $200 and it's the best money I've spent on fishing gear....ever.

Technically I believe I would still have to pay import taxes for anything above 60$ Canadian dollars.  If it's made in the USA no import taxes.

 

Great to hear about pitching, sounds like I'm going to be buying a couple in the near future.  However if the rumor is true the Curado is getting a make over and speculation is that it might have a MGL spool too.  Maybe we will have a boat load of those too. 

I accidentally discovered that the Chronarch is an excellent skipping reel. Perfect for 3/8oz with a trailer. Highly recommend. 

Great review.  For years my favorite casting reel was the Shimano Chronarch Bantam 100.  I've had a dozen of them, most are still in action.  Recently, I decided to buy a new Chronarch MGL.  I bought mine from Tackle Warehouse coupled with a Zodias rod.  If you are an older guy like me, the first thing you will notice is how small and light this reel is in your hand.  It does take a little getting used to.  This reel is incredibly smooth and solid.  Hard to believe, but it's actually smoother than my old Bantams.  Once dialed in, it's almost impossible to backlash.  If you are new to casting reels, you may want to go with one of the DC computer driven models.  The MGL does not make any weird noises on the cast.  My reel is spooled with 14 pound fluorocarbon line.  I use it for throwing weightless Zoom flukes and it throws them with ease. This rod and reel combo is perfect for light lures. I will be buying more as I retire my old Bantams. 

Captain Phil, which Zodias did you get?

6 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Great review.  For years my favorite casting reel was the Shimano Chronarch Bantam 100.  I've had a dozen of them, most are still in action.  Recently, I decided to buy a new Chronarch MGL.  I bought mine from Tackle Warehouse coupled with a Zodias rod.  If you are an older guy like me, the first thing you will notice is how small and light this reel is in your hand.  It does take a little getting used to.  This reel is incredibly smooth and solid.  Hard to believe, but it's actually smoother than my old Bantams.  Once dialed in, it's almost impossible to backlash.  If you are new to casting reels, you may want to go with one of the DC computer driven models.  The MGL does not make any weird noises on the cast.  My reel is spooled with 14 pound fluorocarbon line.  I use it for throwing weightless Zoom flukes and it throws them with ease. This rod and reel combo is perfect for light lures. I will be buying more as I retire my old Bantams. 

 

Have the same reel and noticed something odd with it....  Like the new Bantam, the more I fish it the smoother it gets.  At first it didn't seem as smooth as my other Shimano's but after fishing it as my main reel in a few tournaments, it casted and retrieved smoothly.   

4 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

Captain Phil, which Zodias did you get?

 

ZDC610MHA  It's extremely light and sensitive.  Perfect for soft plastics.