I'm going to buy a new reel soon! Should I get a shimano cuardo dc($270), shimano cuardo M($200), shimano cuardo K($150), or Diawa Tatula CT($150)?

Yes. 

No.

 

If you have a budget over 200, my only suggestion is to take the JDM route. Digitaka, JLS, Plat, Asian portal... just pick your poison.

215ish for a zillion on Amazon 

160ish from Japan for a Scorpion 

Budget, application, experience? OP question is extremely vague. One things for sure, I can list a half dozen reels to be bought before spending $270 on a curado dc

I found the Shimano new braking system to require more time dialing in.  Maybe because I've only dialed in one reel.  And due to personal circumstances fished it 2 or 3 times.  I'd go JDM route.

 

Everyone praises the new Zillion.  I'd love one even though I don't need (and can't justify) another reel.  I haven't seen one for sale on the used markets, so guess that says something.

 

Wouldn't turn my nose up at a Tatula Elite Long Casting either.

 

none of the above.  You're in the $200 +/- $50 range thereabouts which gives a lot of latitude.  The JDM Zillion on Amazon is probably the best buy you'll find at $216.

I regret more and more the Shimano Curado 150mgl I picked up last Spring, not because the reel is awful, but because I realize I should have spent another $50 and got more than twice as good of a reel in a JDM Zillion SV TW.    I've never regretted BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE. 

 

The only thing I've found wrong with the JDM Zillion SV TW is that it ruins you to your other stuff in many aspects.    It's performance (casting/smoothness/drag) blow the doors off other $150-300 reels.   It's user friendly nature is only something Shimano could dream about.   Unless you're prepared to buy the most expensive reels from Daiwa or Shimano, you're just not going to get a reel anywhere close to Zillion SV TW for the price point imho.

 

17 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I regret more and more the Shimano Curado 150mgl I picked up last Spring, not because the reel is awful, but because I realize I should have spent another $50 and got more than twice as good of a reel in a JDM Zillion SV TW.    I've never regretted BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE. 

 

The only thing I've found wrong with the JDM Zillion SV TW is that it ruins you to your other stuff in many aspects.    It's performance (casting/smoothness/drag) blow the doors off other $150-300 reels.   It's user friendly nature is only something Shimano could dream about.   Unless you're prepared to buy the most expensive reels from Daiwa or Shimano, you're just not going to get a reel anywhere close to Zillion SV TW for the price point imho.

 

that’s how I feel with reels I bought before I got my zillion SVs.   

Depending how it will be used the JDM Alphas 800 is a pretty good option for even cheaper than the Zillion.

 

Ive got one of each and have a hard time telling much difference. Both are very smooth and perform well.