I'm in HS and on a tight budget, I'm trying to make the best arsenal I can for the littlest price. Which rod is the best for around $40? Ive heard only good things about both and can't decide. Or if you have other suggestions please let me know. 

Also, has anyone had experience with the super inexpensive H20 rods? The Legacy sells for like $14. Would these be good for moving baits that require little sensitivity or are they junk? 

Personally...I'd move up a bit and get a Diawa Aird-X. You can find several of the 2-piece versions on Amazon for around $40.

2 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Personally...I'd move up a bit and get a Diawa Aird-X. You can find several of the 2-piece versions on Amazon for around $40.

Is there much performance difference in 1 piece vs 2 piece?

My 7' H/F is a one piece, my 6'6" M/F is a two piece...I haven't noticed any difference in sensitivity between them - so I'd say no difference.

 

The old two piece rods used a metal ferrule to join the pieces, the new two-piece rods just use the blank itself, so it's all graphite (or whatever) the full length. I think this makes the two piece rods the equal of one piece.

 

Others might have other opinions on that.

If you go with MN’s suggestion of the Aird X, I feel like my medium power is on the lower end of what usually passes for ‘medium’. The same is true for my Heavy powered rod as well.  Just keep that in mind when making your selections. 

The Lightning Rod Shock is a terrific rod for the money. I have several both spinning and casting. I also just bought a couple of the Arid X's but haven't had a chance to use them. They feel very nice for the money. I bought a 7' M/F for myself to try and a 6' M/F spinning rod for my son for his first nicer rod of his own and he'll get to test it out Sunday. 

The Aird line is killer. Academy has them for $49.99. The Aduro feels cheap to me, but if you catch the Ethos on clearance each winter, I've not paid $20 for any of mine. My 7'3 H was $9. 

Ditto on the Academy Rods close outs.  I've gotten  some great deals on very good rods.   I haven't seen an Ethos rod for $9, but I have purchased several at around $30 more of less.  I'm not a fan of the Lightning Rod Shocks, I think that they are a little heavy.  Having said that, I have one - a 6'6" spinning rod, rated at Medium action - and I think that it is a great rod to lend out for throwing jerk baits or square bills.