Anyone have any opinions?  I own a Tatula and it is excellent.  Light, smooth, and solid but as always I wonder if something is better.  Any thoughts are appreciated.  

I got my girfriend a Ballistic and it's definitely a nice reel, smooth and light. But the reason I bought it over a Tatula was because I got it even cheaper, I think it was $135. I can't comment on the comparison.

Wish they make reels with shallower spools.

I believe that except for magseal, tatula lt and ballistic are the same, or almost the same reels.

I have the Ballistic LT 3000 and love it.  The spool support bushing is the same on both models and that is probably the what makes them feel so comparable. To be fair, I paid far less than MSRP.  The Tatula  is rock solid. If you don't need mag seal. the Tatula is the better value.

Shallower spool, you might have to go JDM route, or buy spare shallow spool SLP WORKS which would cost you about 80 bucks including shipping.

I don’t really care much for shallow spool, I backing with 4lb mono, then wrap with plumber tape, just one time hassle.

The Tatula and USDM Ballistic are essentially the same reel.  They both have Zaion frames and rotors, share the same AL main gear, but you can get a Ballistic a lower ratio without getting a JDM model.  The difference is the Ballistic has the Magseal which I found works really well.  If your running the boat with that reel on the deck or your fishing in the rain the Magseal is a +.  The other difference is the Ballistic has a few seals that the Tatula doesn't have.  Theyre both winners and you cant go wrong with either 1.  If your going to spend some money consider the JDM Luvias.  You get a lot more for a few $.