Has anyone tried one yet? Any opinions out there? 

It appears to be made in the same factory as a Favorite Soleus to me. 
 

That’s not a bad thing. They look closest to a Banax to me, judging by the brakes. The handle is exactly the same as a Soleus.

With the series 2 at $115 right now I thought I might take a chance on one. But on the other hand, I know what I'm getting with a Shimano or Daiwa. 

12 hours ago, optimator said:

With the series 2 at $115 right now I thought I might take a chance on one. But on the other hand, I know what I'm getting with a Shimano or Daiwa. 

I gave a Soleus to my brother. There was nothing wrong with it at all performance wise. I didn’t use it long enough to test durability. I would t put the refinement up there with Daiwa or Shimano, but comparable to a Doyo for sure.  

I could be wrong about the Banax thing. Website says from Korea. I just know it’s a close relative of the Soleus.

18 hours ago, optimator said:

With the series 2 at $115 right now I thought I might take a chance on one. But on the other hand, I know what I'm getting with a Shimano or Daiwa. 

What does the warranty look like? Solid?

24 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

What does the warranty look like? Solid?

Website says one year free repair or replacement 

I ended up picking up a new Shimano SLX MGL from the classifieds here. I felt better going that route. 

8 hours ago, optimator said:

I ended up picking up a new Shimano SLX MGL from the classifieds here. I felt better going that route. 

Such a fantastic reel!  I just picked up a second one myself tonight. 

On 2/17/2021 at 6:39 PM, Blaine Donders said:

It appears to be made in the same factory as a Favorite Soleus to me. 
 

Good eye...same company. 

Usually I'm a ... Don't knock it until you try it but....

 

What makes me scratch my head.....  Why would a good rod manufacturer stick their name on something like this?

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

Usually I'm a ... Don't knock it until you try it but....

 

What makes me scratch my head.....  Why would a good rod manufacturer stick there name on something like this?

Trey seems like the type that flys by his own rules. He probably always wanted his own reel and felt like he finally had the brand to give it a go

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

Why would a good rod manufacturer stick there name on something like this?

Maybe it doesn't actually suck. 

27 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

That's nothing.  ZPI just abandoned their custom parts business to sell the same reel linear mag brake form (worse) for over $300.   They think we won't notice its based on a $80 BPS reel and believe they can make a killing.  

 

Or the $150 aluminum frame version of a $30 chinease reel like Fitzgerald did with the Stunner.

And this is why I don't mind asking dumb questions!!

I like Trey, his message, and his willingness to do his own thing, so I took a flier on a reduced price series 2 this winter and haven't had a chance to fish it yet.

 

It seems light, comfortable, and solid to me for the price range. I look forward breaking it out.

 

-Jared

2 hours ago, KCFinesse said:

I like Trey, his message, and his willingness to do his own thing, so I took a flier on a reduced price series 2 this winter and haven't had a chance to fish it yet.

 

It seems light, comfortable, and solid to me for the price range. I look forward breaking it out.

 

-Jared

Any chance you'd be willing to post the schematic? Inquiring minds...

22 hours ago, PhishLI said:

Any chance you'd be willing to post the schematic? Inquiring minds...

 

Totally get it.

 

I'm a doyo guy and picked up a lew's tournament mp lfs recently as well. Should make for an interesting side by side comparison.

 

-Jared