Is the US zillion worth the extra money vs the JDM? I've heard JDM uses aluminum gears vs Brass in the US?

It depends on how much you value brass gears.  My opinion was no and that’s why I bought the JDM version.

Really depends on what type lure? I would rather have mine in brass gear but when I ordered, US version wasn’t available yet. I set the reel for 15lb FC class for medium to heavy stuff. I want to make sure the main gear can stand up abusive of error casting 1oz lure (not every cast is smooth sailing) or big Hollywood hook set.

Im not sure if this matter to you but JDM is made in Japan, USDM is made in Thailand but I do believe all components are the same.

Before I ordered the JDM, I already had plan to swap gear between Zillion(JDM) and Alphas (brass) turn out the big metal drag washer doesn’t fit.??? I haven’t tried with my other alphas yet.

I went with the jdm because it's cheaper and made in Japan.  If I want to change to brass gears I'll do that if/when I want to.

Actually, Daiwa's aluminum gears are quite durable compared to Shimano's. Like other said, for heavier duties, brass gear is still the best, but for jerkbait/light jig/small crankbait..., aluminum gear is fine IMO.  

I have all of last season on two JDM reels, and they feel as they did when new. I used them for jigs and t rigs, and the hook sets were very solid. Fantastic reels.

 

I don't think the aluminum vs brass really matters much in a reel like the Zillion. In cheaper reels where the gears don't maintain their alignment as well it becomes more of an issue. I do prefer brass gears personally, but again in a reel of this caliber I don't think it makes a huge difference. The gears are so well supported, and maintain such perfect alignment, that it minimizes the stresses on the gears. I also don't think the made in Japan vs made in Thailand is much of a selling point for me either way as Daiwa controls the production in both places, so the standards should be the same. To me the main thing that pushed me toward the US version is the warranty. To my knowledge Daiwa will not warranty a JDM version bought in the US, and though the chances of an issue are slim it just isn't worth it to me to take the chance on a reel that cost that much.

48 minutes ago, walleyecrazy said:

I don't think the aluminum vs brass really matters much in a reel like the Zillion. In cheaper reels where the gears don't maintain their alignment as well it becomes more of an issue. I do prefer brass gears personally, but again in a reel of this caliber I don't think it makes a huge difference. The gears are so well supported, and maintain such perfect alignment, that it minimizes the stresses on the gears. I also don't think the made in Japan vs made in Thailand is much of a selling point for me either way as Daiwa controls the production in both places, so the standards should be the same. To me the main thing that pushed me toward the US version is the warranty. To my knowledge Daiwa will not warranty a JDM version bought in the US, and though the chances of an issue are slim it just isn't worth it to me to take the chance on a reel that cost that much.

Yep quality is basically the same between the two but I do like seeing that made in Japan on the reel.  As far as warranty goes?  The cost savings is so significant (nearly $100) the risk to reward is heavily favored to getting the jdm reel and taking on that risk.  I'm highly risk adverse by nature too.  Even paying to have it fixed right out of the box and you would still come out ahead.  Even more so with the metanium that is over $100 cheaper jdm.

On 4/20/2022 at 1:33 PM, Tatulatard said:

  The cost savings is so significant (nearly $100) the risk to reward is heavily favored to getting the jdm reel and taking on that risk.  I'm highly risk adverse by nature too.  Even paying to have it fixed right out of the box and you would still come out ahead. 

 

I have had to do this once, an old model Zillion SV TW that arrived from Japan with a bad pinion gear.  By the time I figured it out it was long past a reasonable return window.  I got it fixed in the US for like $50-80.  Overall I am still hundreds of dollars in the black from buying reels from Japan.  Especially right now, the yen is quite weak to the USD so it's a great time to buy.