Just got my Curado 200i in and I realized it has "Cross Carbon" Drag washers from Shimano. Does this mean a Carbontex upgrade isnt worth it?

From what I can tell "Cross Carbon" and Carbontex are the same thing. I still saw a few people recommend a carbontex upgrade for the 200i, Am I missing something?

 

 

I picked up a curado little while ago, was considering upgrading to boca bearings.  Then I used it and don't really feel the need to change anything.  Have you fished it yet?  I'd suggest at least getting a decent feel for it before you feel obligate to upgrade.  It's a fine reel right out of the box.

20 minutes ago, fatmaple said:

I picked up a curado little while ago, was considering upgrading to boca bearings.  Then I used it and don't really feel the need to change anything.  Have you fished it yet?  I'd suggest at least getting a decent feel for it before you feel obligate to upgrade.  It's a fine reel right out of the box.

Yeah been using it a lot, super happy with it. But of course I'm never "happy" with something, always want to upgrade it! xD

Drag feels smooth enough, but everyone is ranting about how awesome carbontex is, so I was wondering if there was any notable difference.

Side by side the carbontex material has a tighter weave and little different texture. The difference isn't as obvious as with other models but it's a relatively inexpensive change. All upgrades to an already good reel are splitting hairs.

On 3/15/2017 at 0:08 AM, nameiztaken said:

Yeah been using it a lot, super happy with it. But of course I'm never "happy" with something, always want to upgrade it! xD

Drag feels smooth enough, but everyone is ranting about how awesome carbontex is, so I was wondering if there was any notable difference.

 

I hear you, I've had mine for a month and love it.  I'll probably fish it for a year and then upgrade to the Boca bearings.  If you decide to upgrade the drag let us know how you like it.  Now you have me thinking about it. lol.

How much is the bocas

11 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Side by side the carbontex material has a tighter weave and little different texture. The difference isn't as obvious as with other models but it's a relatively inexpensive change. All upgrades to an already good reel are splitting hairs.

 

Would it be correct to say one would notice the difference more in the case of replacing felt washers with any sort of carbon, much less super high end?  

 

2 minutes ago, TX-Deluxe said:

How much is the bocas

 

I've seen them for about $30 give or take a few dollars.  

I'm leaning the Boca route, I love casting distance. Has anyone put Boca Oranges in their 200i?

There's plenty of videos on Youtube with the 200i replacements.  I'm into them more for the smoothness not the distance.

3 hours ago, nameiztaken said:

I'm leaning the Boca route, I love casting distance. Has anyone put Boca Oranges in their 200i?

 

I got taken in by the bearing craze a couple of years ago and came to the same conclusion many have. A clean, well oiled stock bearing is quiet and will perform as well as you need a fishing reel to.  Boca OS 7's are very noisy dry and no more efficient than stock when oiled.  Save your $$.

How often are you guys applying a drop of oil to the bearings that hold the spool?

19 minutes ago, TX-Deluxe said:

How often are you guys applying a drop of oil to the bearings that hold the spool?

 

Here's the terrible "stock answer": as needed.

 

It really depends on usage and environment.  If you put a drop in every 20 hours of use or after two months - whichever comes first - you'll be fine.  Any excess oil will be shed after a few casts, provided it's a stock bearing, and not a sealed aftermarket bearing with the seals intact.

On 3/14/2017 at 11:44 PM, nameiztaken said:

Just got my Curado 200i in and I realized it has "Cross Carbon" Drag washers from Shimano. Does this mean a Carbontex upgrade isnt worth it?

 

According to Dawn at Smooth Drags, the difference is in the 3weave, the coating of the carbon weave, and durability.  She noticed many Abu customers replacing their OEM "carbon drags" after about a year's heavy use, and almost never heard about people wearing out a Smooth Drags Carbontex.