i have a tournament mb by lews. Is it just me or can you tell the magnetic brakinh system really does anything? 

I have 3 of em'.  Yes.

21 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

I have 3 of em'.  Yes.

i only feel the centrifugal brakes do something. The magnetic brakes nothing at all.

I will say the impact is not drastic, but to me it is noticeble in casting distance.  I usually run them on a bit over half way, with spool tension knob almost completely loose and cent. brakes 2 in and 2 out.

They work.  Make a cast with about a 3/8 ounce lure with the magnetic beakes all the way on, then make another cast with them turned off.  Trust me, you'll see a difference.  I use my MB with 2 centrifugal brakes on, the magnets turned off and spool tension knob set with just enough pressure for a slow lure fall when clutch is tripped.

I have two of the tournament MB reels I use them for soft plastics and jigs. Most of the time I only use an 1/8 oz sinker for my soft plastics. I can't tell the magnetic brakes do anything. I keep them turned off and adjust the cast control knob to let the bait make a slow fall. I think I have four pins set on the centrifugal brakes on.

They work. I have Lews LFS and SLP. Still prefer the MB over them.