Can any members share experience with Boca's ceramic Lightning bearings vs. the Orange seal ceramic bearings?  Thanks

 

oe

The ceramic lightning are ABEC 5 more than enough for fishing reel speeds. If I’m building a no holds barred BFS reel I’ll go all out with the 7s

In my Shimano reels I have tried the ABEC 7 Orange Seal, the ABEC 7 metal shield, and the ABEC 5 Lightning Bearing.   I didn't care so much for the Orange Seal bearings.  I tried a couple and each rubbed a little, actually decreasing performance.  I removed the orange seals and it improved but I was not overwhelmed by them.  The ABEC 7 metal shield bearings were amazing.  The ABEC 5 was an improvement over the base Shimano bearings but if you are replacing the bearings in a higher end reel, the stock bearings maybe a better choice.   Improvements in casting also depend on the reel.  For instance, I replaced the bearings in a buddy's Curado B with the Boca ABEC 5's and the casting was amazing.  I also replaced the bearings in another Curado B of his with the stock bearings that go into a Antares and the results were just as good if not better.   I then tried the ABEC 7's in a Antares and the stock bearings were better. 

I've got two Gen 2 Abu Premiere and one Lew's BB1, all share the same bearing set and all about the same age.   I appreciated the change to Orange Seal ceramic bearings in other reels I've owned and am considering changing one or all three of these.  I like the increased ease of casting moderately light weight baits although I don't strive to cast weights lighter than 3/8oz with any of these reels.  Lightning ceramics are quite a bit less money, but I've not read anything about them.  If they will give me a freer spool I would consider them a good value upgrade.  Thanks to both of you for your insight.

 

oe

I've gone to all unshielded bearings on my baitcaster spool bearings, and retain good-quality corrosion-resistant shielded bearings for all drive bearings.  

If you compare how even orange-seal hybrid ceramic bearings compare with unshielded bearings in free-spin, the difference is pretty impressive.  

After that, decreasing bearing weight is the next step in reducing inertia.  

SDS on ebay offers spool bearing swaps by reel make and model, and each listing gives you a menu of bearing types to pick between.    You do have to wait for post from Ukraine.  

 

On my Abu CT surf reels, I've gone to full-ceramic, because these stand the chance of saltwater splash.  

Another good bearing vendor in Florida is HPR bearings, and pretty sure that's where I sourced my full-ceramics.  

2 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

If you compare how even orange-seal hybrid ceramic bearings compare with unshielded bearings in free-spin, the difference is pretty impressive. 

What is the difference you're referring to.

 

oe

the unshielded bearings will free-spin for well more than twice as long.  

18 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Can any members share experience with Boca's ceramic Lightning bearings vs. the Orange seal ceramic bearings?  Thanks

 

oe

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