Just wondering how Carbontex compares to dartanium, and other washers. I know the carbon is smooth, and labeled as more pressure, but is that true? 

 

And tips to make a stronger, smoother drag? 

They most definitely add pressure if run dry or with minimal grease and last forever. Composite washers like dartanium deteriorate into a mass of goo. I don't know about other manufacturers but Shimano has moved away from them.

Well, whether or not they add more drag is subjective to what's currently in your reel. Old, worn out drag washers get weaker over time from being locked down and under pressure. 

Adding them to my tdz was a huge improvement...huge.

 

A new modern daiwa reel doesnt need them imo

Yes. They are completely worth the upgrade to any reel that does not have them. When ever I tear a reel apart, if they do not have them, they do when I'm done...

Anything model/frame introduced prior to ~2009 will greatly benefit from them.  More current models, only replace if you need to.

I have added carbon to multiple spinning and casting reels, which replaced felt/dartanium. They have great performance of course, but it's always been hard to tell if I actually got more pressure. 

 

I recently restored and tuned a worn out Shimano Scorpion Antares V2, and I put Carbontex in that, and it works like a champ. Restoring and tuning my 06 Antares DC is next, and I've already got carbon for it too. 

A drag upgrade is arguably the best bang for the buck mod you can do. As stated, increased total pressure depends on the stock design but the smoothness and longevity are worth it alone. No bass reel really needs more than 7-8 lbs of drag.  

Where can you buy the material or washers from? Looking to upgrade my Shimon FJ reel

3 hours ago, Montanaro said:

Adding them to my tdz was a huge improvement...huge.

 

A new modern daiwa reel doesnt need them imo

Well, we all know TDZ drag was the kryptonite of what, in other ways, is a stellar reel.

 

Carbontex made one hell of an improvement in my Pixies.

1 hour ago, DomQ said:

Where can you buy the material or washers from? Looking to upgrade my Shimon FJ reel

 

I've got mine in the past from Big Green Fish.  He lists the reel you mentioned.   Smoooth Drag (not misspelled) is another one.

1 hour ago, DomQ said:

Where can you buy the material or washers from? Looking to upgrade my Shimon FJ reel

Google Carbontex Smooth Drag and it will come up. Calling them is much easier than searching yourself. They have a much larger application database then what they list. 

2 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

A drag upgrade is arguably the best bang for the buck mod you can do. As stated, increased total pressure depends on the stock design but the smoothness and longevity are worth it alone. No bass reel really needs more than 7-8 lbs of drag.  

^^^^this^^^^

Tom

First upgrade I do for new spinning reels.  Largely in part to the fact reels do double duty for inshore saltwater.  And those suckers will absolutely test that drag!

Yeah saltwater is a whole different world. 

 

So I've known about the smoothness and overall efficiency aspect for years, all I'm trying to really find out is some kind of comparison with other drag systems. Like something that actually shows how much pressure you can gain, ballpark. 

18 minutes ago, Michaelangelo said:

Yeah saltwater is a whole different world. 

 

So I've known about the smoothness and overall efficiency aspect for years, all I'm trying to really find out is some kind of comparison with other drag systems. Like something that actually shows how much pressure you can gain, ballpark. 

It's done for a more smoothly operating drag and not a gain in overall drag pressure. The gain will be minimal, if any at all. Results will vary a little for different reels but don't approach it looking to add pressure. You might not achieve that. 

Edited October 7, 20178 yr by rippin-lips

That's more of what I'm trying to find out. Like I've said, I've used carbon for years and can attest to the performance, just curious about any added pressure. 

 

Does anyone know of any comparisons or stats? 

There are too many variables for any meaningful data to be compiled. 

Well, I'm getting a couple Antares tuned soon, and whenever I get reels tuned I add carbon drag. I will do a comparison before and after and post it. 

My experience with them is that they sure increase the efficiency of drag, but not convinced they increase the drag.

5 hours ago, OnthePotomac said:

My experience with them is that they sure increase the efficiency of drag, but not convinced they increase the drag.

That's pretty much how I've felt about it for years. It's definitely an improvement whether pressure is added or not.