How have the Metaniums evolved over the years?  I see various model years for sale and curious as to the value (features and overall quality versus price) of the 2015/16s or 2018s versus 2020 models.

 

Is a 2013 for $160  vs a 2016 for $250) vs a new one...???

 

Also wondering about the different Matanium models.  Some new are $330, some are $420..what’s the big difference in these?

Or is there anyone on here who is a Shimano expert I could chat with about them.

Really a broad topic to address. Mets go back to the 1990's and don't remotely resemble today's. If I were shopping for one I'd definitely go with the newest gen. Small profile, brass gears, core solid frame make it a superior version. It can be had in the low 300's JDM even with the exchange rate not so favorable right now. Try Digitaka or Japan Lure Shop. Asian Portal has great prices but they're always out of stuff.

4 hours ago, The Bassman said:

Really a broad topic to address. Mets go back to the 1990's and don't remotely resemble today's. If I were shopping for one I'd definitely go with the newest gen. Small profile, brass gears, core solid frame make it a superior version. It can be had in the low 300's JDM even with the exchange rate not so favorable right now. Try Digitaka or Japan Lure Shop. Asian Portal has great prices but they're always out of stuff.

Thanks.  I should have been more specific as I was really only concerned with years 13/14 and newer.

I need to get my buddy to chime in since he has a 2013 met. I don’t hear much about it from him. He owns a core 50, a bantam MGL, curado k, etc. I guess maybe the 13met isn’t his favorite. 
 

I was between the met mgl and chronarch mgl a while back. I ended up getting the Chronarch since it was a bit cheaper and every bit as smooth on retrieve. I think the metanium mgl was a bit lighter at the time but over time you heard about the aluminum gear on the Metanium wearing down. 
 

There is a YouTube video comparing 2020 JDM vs USDM Metanium. Long story short, JDM has smaller knobs, smaller spool, might cast lighter lures better. USDM has bigger spool, bigger knobs and cost about 100 bucks more retail. 
 

Hope that helps. 

9 hours ago, Tim Hu said:

I need to get my buddy to chime in since he has a 2013 met. I don’t hear much about it from him. He owns a core 50, a bantam MGL, curado k, etc. I guess maybe the 13met isn’t his favorite. 
 

I was between the met mgl and chronarch mgl a while back. I ended up getting the Chronarch since it was a bit cheaper and every bit as smooth on retrieve. I think the metanium mgl was a bit lighter at the time but over time you heard about the aluminum gear on the Metanium wearing down. 
 

There is a YouTube video comparing 2020 JDM vs USDM Metanium. Long story short, JDM has smaller knobs, smaller spool, might cast lighter lures better. USDM has bigger spool, bigger knobs and cost about 100 bucks more retail. 
 

Hope that helps. 

Thanks.  I’m having the itch to buy a néw reel.    I already have several Chronarch and am happy with them.  I just didn’t know if I’d be happier with a Met.  I really had 2 issues, is the Met that much better than a Chronarch (from the posts I’ve seen it is not but would invite anyone to dispute that) and if an older used Met was better than a new Chronarch and as good as a new Met.  My definition of “as good as” would mainly be does it cast further and backlash less.  They are all smooth enough for me.

I doubt any old Metanium is that much better than new Chronarchs. 
 

I would guess 13 metanium~Chronarch MGL

There may be differences in how each reel handles different sized lures. 
 

Casting distance for Metanium MGL vs Chronarch MGL is  almost the same. The only difference is .3 oz in weight and 2 additional knob bearings on the Met. I can’t imagine how they could improve the Met since the Chronarch doesn’t backlash much. 
 

 

29 minutes ago, Tim Hu said:

I doubt any old Metanium is that much better than new Chronarchs. 
 

I would guess 13 metanium~Chronarch MGL

There may be differences in how each reel handles different sized lures. 
 

Casting distance for Metanium MGL vs Chronarch MGL is  almost the same. The only difference is .3 oz in weight and 2 additional knob bearings on the Met. I can’t imagine how they could improve the Met since the Chronarch doesn’t backlash much. 
 

 

Thanks!  Very helpful.

The 2020 Met is far superior to the 16 Met, 13 Met, & Chronarch MGL. I have owned just about every reel Shimano has made in the past 15 years outside of the 19 Antares. I would put the Bantam MGL ahead of the 16 & 13 Met and the Chronarch MGL. The 2020 Met has it all.

11 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

The 2020 Met is far superior to the 16 Met, 13 Met, & Chronarch MGL. I have owned just about every reel Shimano has made in the past 15 years outside of the 19 Antares. I would put the Bantam MGL ahead of the 16 & 13 Met and the Chronarch MGL. The 2020 Met has it all.

What does the 20 Met do so much better?

It is so much smoother than the 16 and the Chronarch it isn't funny. Out casts the 13 and pitches better than all 3. The solid body has such a better feel to it it is hard to describe. I might be pretty hard on my review though because I wasn't impressed with the 16 Met or the Chronarch MGL. Like I said, I prefer the Bantam MGL to them. In fact, I like the Scorpion MGL better than those two. 

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

The 2020 Met is far superior to the 16 Met, 13 Met, & Chronarch MGL.

 

This in every way. The 2020 Met is a different animal than the previous Mets and the Chronarch MGL. And by different I mean better in every way.

 

The Bantam is truly the only other reel not named Antares that compares in the Shimano class current offerings.

 

I have no desire to buy a Chronarch after using 2020 Mets for 9 or so months now.

My 2020 met is in the mail.  Now I can’t wait to try it. Haha! 
 

 

This one will answer most of your questions.

 

 

14 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

What does the 20 Met do so much better?

It does everything better except cramp your hand.  I dont know if its correct to call it a paradigm shift but its definitly a game changer with the 1 peice frame.  Older magnesium reels have a hollow feeling, not quite as bad as the 1st gen ci4 material but by did they feel solid.  Ive caught some good fish on my 20 Mets and have never felt any flex or vibration at all.  One of the better selling points is they replaced the aluminum main gear with brass.  Fishing frogs, punching, spinnerbaits, big jigs or anything that you would lock down your drag when using can take a toll after a few years of hard hooksets.  Brass is heavier, but its much harder, more dense, stays smooth longer and takes much less damage then aluminum.  

 

6 hours ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

It does everything better except cramp your hand.  I dont know if its correct to call it a paradigm shift but its definitly a game changer with the 1 peice frame.  Older magnesium reels have a hollow feeling, not quite as bad as the 1st gen ci4 material but by did they feel solid.  Ive caught some good fish on my 20 Mets and have never felt any flex or vibration at all.  One of the better selling points is they replaced the aluminum main gear with brass.  Fishing frogs, punching, spinnerbaits, big jigs or anything that you would lock down your drag when using can take a toll after a few years of hard hooksets.  Brass is heavier, but its much harder, more dense, stays smooth longer and takes much less damage then aluminum.  

 

Well....given that your Rusty Shackleford and not Dale Gribble...your opinion is reliable....?