I'm confused by all the offerings, thinking of a new BFS Daiwa-Tacklewarehouse has the BF70, don't see that at Digitaka.  What would you BFS experts recommend?  thanks

I'm certainly not a bfs expert, but have gotten into it a bit the last year or so.  The BF70 looks to be on the alphas platform.  The alphas 800S and the alphas air are relatively equivalent to the US offering, with the air probably being closest.  I have pe 1.5 on my 800S and pe 1 on the air.  If you never really want to throw less than 4g, the 800S at >$170 is a fantastic reel.  If you're going lighter, the air, silverwolf, and zillion raced out with a roro spool and bearings are the options @bulldog1935 walked me through.  I choose to upgrade a zillion for BFS and replace it with an 800S for a M/F rod, so far so good.

 

scott

From what I've read the BF70 = Salmandura Air TW (CDM Reel), and the PX BF70 = Alphas Air TW.  Due to the weak Yen, either could be had from JDM sites for cheaper right now (quite a bit).

 

If you are really looking though, you might consider the Aldebaran BFS as well.  After comparing quite a few at this point, I definitely consider the Aldebaran a better reel than the Alphas Air TW for ~$15 more.

31 minutes ago, Phelptwan said:

From what I've read the BF70 = Salmandura Air TW (CDM Reel), and the PX BF70 = Alphas Air TW

Not exactly. Both the Salamandura and BF 70 use Daiwa's typical Tatula long shaft spool scheme whereas the Alphas 800s uses Daiwa's short-shaft free floating spool and true dual bearing pinion support scheme. All also feature spool weights at 12-13 grams which is quite conventional compared to today's modern BFS offerings.

Most people I know who bought package Daiwa BFS reels still upgrade them for casting lighter weights with AMO, KKR, or Roro spools and palm-side BFS bearing.  What you gain with a package BFS reel like Silver Wolf, etc., is increased LW pitch that will let you fish braid smaller than PE#0.8 without line dig. 

 

Standard LW pitch will fish PE#1, which is a joy (equiv dia to 4-lb mono).  

https://www.jpfishingtacklenews.com/japanese-line-size/

I've stuck to 34-mm Daiwa - all interchange spools - and most recently bought a SLPW Zillion ($192 on Amazon) because I was going to add my own handle and spool, anyway.  

 

SLPW Zillion with Ray's SV spool, and Steez with AMO spool (my longest, lightest result).  

 

Fixed-rotor spools like AMO, KKR and Roro cast the lightest weights to the greatest distance, but they turn MagForce into linear mag - these spools weight 5 g.  They will fish 1/16 oz and limit your top weight to about 3/8 oz.  (KKR will fish mono)

SV spools like Ray's and Daiwa 1000 Boost PE Special (Silver Wolf) let you fish  wider lure weight range (1 oz).  These spools weigh 8 to 13 g.  (Daiwa SV Boost 1000 PE will also fish mono)  If you cast with wrist snap, or want to fish wide weights, SV is forgiving on spool start.  

7 hours ago, MickD said:

I'm confused by all the offerings, thinking of a new BFS Daiwa-Tacklewarehouse has the BF70, don't see that at Digitaka.  What would you BFS experts recommend?  thanks

It's a Tatula BFS that appears to be unique to the US market.  For what TW wants for it you can get an Alphas Air.  You could also spend less than $100 for the Tatula 80 and then get a Ray's BFS spool or KKR spool for cheap or you could step up to something like the SS Air.