I haven't bought an Abu reel for about 15 years and haven't kept up on their offerings.  Can someone explain the differences between the Revo AL-F and the Revo MGX Gen 2?

Also curious.  My last Revo was a used Gen2 Premier.

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Also curious.  My last Revo was a used Gen2 Premier.

Too funny!   That reel is why I haven’t bought another.  

Sorry, I can't answer your question exactly, but I own the Revo on amphetamines, JDM ZPI Alcance with magnesium spool, titanium spindle, and tuned mag-brake cam.  It comes with a deeper 11-g spool, this is the shallow 7-g spool. 

 

 

Both reels you listed are on closeout, and prices look good where you can find them. 

MGX is magensium frame and IVCB-4 centrifugal brake, though aluminum spool. 

AL-F is compact version said to be based on the same reel, but with aluminum frame - Infiniti dual brake system. 

 

The Alf is unobtainable while the mgx still has lefties available?

 

in all seriousness, the mgx was their attempt at a tiny and lightweight high end baitcaster. Magnesium body, graphite composite side plates, smaller spool. Since you couldn’t use that in anything semi salty (magnesium and salt aren’t friends), they created the al-f with an aluminum version of pretty much the same reel. The alf has the infini brake system. 
 

i have the mgx and was looking for an alf for a while. I really like the mgx. I got it when bass pro first dropped them to $250.  I have it on my falcon expert 6’10” topwater/finesse jig rod. The whole thing weighs right around 9 oz, maybe a touch under. If I could change one thing about it, the ivcb-4 braking system isn’t as adjustable as I’d like. On the ivcb-6 you can turn on and off the rollers. On the 4 you can’t. Also, I find that I have the dial turned up to max basically all of the time and it’s not doing much of anything. That said, it will cast anything from a weightless fluke up to a half ounce chatterbait with trailer with the same brake and tension settings.

 

im guessing you’re a lefty and considering both from the TW clearance pile?  At the clearance prices I think both are great buys. The ALF with infini is basically a tighter, lighter, nicer version of the revo SX gen 4 (current model).  The mgx is a different beast and if you like light and small reels it’s a nice one. 

You are correct - I use LH reels even though I am RH.  Also correct about the stock at TW.  
 

I don’t intend to throw anything more than 1/2 oz total weight and more like 3/8 max.  I like small reels.   I was going to get another Steez CT when I saw the Revos.  I realize that they aren’t in the same class but I could find an application for them.  

The mgx is what I’d do. I bought mine for $250 and love it. Bass pro had them at $200 briefly and I had one in my cart to check out.  When I clicked to check out the price was back up to $250. I checked daily if they dropped again but they didn’t. I might have bought two at that price. If you prefer a slower retrieve then the alf with the 6.6 ratio would also be a good choice. 

7 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

The mgx is what I’d do. I bought mine for $250 and love it. Bass pro had them at $200 briefly and I had one in my cart to check out.  When I clicked to check out the price was back up to $250. I checked daily if they dropped again but they didn’t. I might have bought two at that price. If you prefer a slower retrieve then the alf with the 6.6 ratio would also be a good choice. 

It is a bit worrisome that there are so many negative reviews on the MGX.  Are there really so many issues with them or is it just unjustified bashing?

1 hour ago, zelmo said:

It is a bit worrisome that there are so many negative reviews on the MGX.  Are there really so many issues with them or is it just unjustified bashing?

I’ve had mine almost a year and I’ve not had any issues. Most of the complaints are around the side plate “falling off” which I still don’t see how it’s possible. The revo SX is the same mechanism also. I don’t think it’s a $400 reel like MSRP. But it is definitely a $200 reel and a great one at that price. 

MGX line is always finesse oriented, as you may have already known. Some might even argue it's BFS enabled. The ALF, as well as the former ALX, uses the same frame as MGX, but is basically an all purpose reel. It's a light weight small reel, with a small diameter spool, but I wouldn't use it for any BFS stuff.  

 

They pushed out the ALX first, as a cheaper, all-purposed alternative to MGX gen 4.  But ALX uses a generic magnetic brake system as Black Max's, which caused a terrible market sale. So they abandoned the ALX, put an IVCB brake on it, and called it the ALF. A quick smart move I'd say, to save a line of reel.  And the ALF seems pretty popular among Abu fans. 

 

To be fair, the ALX isn't that bad either, if you don't mind the magnetic brake. If you can still find it on the market around $100, it's a bargain IMO. 

Great information.  Thanks guys. 

4 hours ago, newapti5 said:

MGX line is always finesse oriented, as you may have already known. Some might even argue it's BFS enabled. The ALF, as well as the former ALX, uses the same frame as MGX, but is basically an all purpose reel. It's a light weight small reel, with a small diameter spool, but I wouldn't use it for any BFS stuff.  

 

They pushed out the ALX first, as a cheaper, all-purposed alternative to MGX gen 4.  But ALX uses a generic magnetic brake system as Black Max's, which caused a terrible market sale. So they abandoned the ALX, put an IVCB brake on it, and called it the ALF. A quick smart move I'd say, to save a line of reel.  And the ALF seems pretty popular among Abu fans. 

 

To be fair, the ALX isn't that bad either, if you don't mind the magnetic brake. If you can still find it on the market around $100, it's a bargain IMO. 

the alf does not have ivcb braking. It is infini braking system. 

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

the alf does not have ivcb braking. It is infini braking system. 

 

I guess I remember incorrectly.  Still, it's a proven brake system better than ALX's magnetic brake. 

16 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

 

I guess I remember incorrectly.  Still, it's a proven brake system better than ALX's magnetic brake. 

For sure. Infini brake is pretty good. Gen 3 stx and gen 4 sx have them so it’s still current in the lower mid range reels. It works pretty well for a wide range of weight. Just not a bfs system. 

Add a few extra magnets to the ALX and its a kickass reel. I absolutely love them and the ALF. I have had zero problems with them over the years.

30 minutes ago, OG Crankster said:

Add a few extra magnets to the ALX and its a kickass reel

 

That's exactly what I did to mine ?