What are the Japanese equivelants to these American released reels? I just don't know all the names-

Stradic-Biomaster

Sustain-Twin Power

Stella-??

I know there is a Biomaster and a Twinpower, is there a third one? Are they really any better than the American release reels? I use Scorpion Mg's and Antares exclusively and feel they are better than the Curado and Calais reels. Wondering if the transaltion is for spinning reels as well.

Ok, I 'll put it the other way around:

Biomaster - Stradic

Biomaster S - no domestic equivalent

Biomaster Mg - Stradic Mg

Biomaster Mg S - no domestic equivalent

Twinpower - Sustain

Twinpower Mg - no domestic equivalent

Stella - Stella

Now there are others with other denominations:

Denomination "HG/PG", for example: Biomaster 1000 HGS; HG/PG indicates a heavy duty reel.

Denomination "S" after the reel number indicates SHALLOW SPOOL, which means the reel has a spool designed for thin lines between 2-5 pound test ( Japan ), therefore the spool capacity is limited if you exceed the line diameter.

Denomination "DH" indicates DOUBLE HANDLE, for example: Sephia 2500 SDH

If you don 't know these denominations when ordering a reel from a Japanese source and you only look at the price you are getting into trouble, the day your reel arrives and you open your box ..... ..... dang ! it 's not what I wanted.

Are they better ? some are just the same reel with different name, others are really different ( for ex Scorpion 1000 vs Curado 100B ) with better upgrades, or lighter gearing ( lighter alloy ) or lighter frame or better cosmetics. Also, in many of them you can enhance the feel or change the cosmetics with aftermaket spools, handles or knobs. Let 's say you don 't like the "T" shape knob in your domestic reel, in most cases you are screwed, the knob is riveted to the handle; in Japanese reels the knob is not riveted but it has a screw, you can change the knob for an "I" shaped knob simply because you can remove the knob.

Do they feel better ? some of them feel the same, others feel a lot better.

Words of advice when purchasing Japanese reels:

1.- Line capacity.- the line capacity you see stamped on the reel is FOR JAPANESE LINES, it does not apply to american lines, if you are using american line reduce between 10-20%.

2.- Read the denomination before you jump all over it and be sure to understand it or you will get a nasty surprise when you open the box.

3.- Shallow spool models DO NOT COME WITH SPARE SPOOL.

4.- Shalow spool models have two line capacities: nylon monofilament ( Japan ) & PE = Poliethilene = braided.

5.- Japanese reels usually have lighter drag.

6.- #1 line means 4 lb test JAPAN.

I'm looking into the twin power to replace my current lot of Sustains. I'm wondering if it is worth it.

You can get a Twinpower 2000 for less than $150, price wise, you get the same reel for less money.

Thanks. One last question. What is the Sensilite and how does it compare to the Twin Power?

Do you guys have the Ultegra?

Some models are SW in japan, which means saltwater

Japanese reel have similar drag setting and sometimes more drag. it is the confusion sometimes when they quote their drags as many website have typos about the drag setting.

The japanese models are more expensive as there are more quality control for locally sold reels there.

The HG is high gear, i.e it has a high gear ratio where as the PG is power gear and the gear ratio is less.

As for the stella the US version and the Japanese version have different denomination. For an export reel, it is the FB but for a japanese reel it is the SR. They are identical reels but the price tag have about 25 dollars diffeence, where the SR is more expensive.

The japanese have a stella SDH as well and other version of the stella.

The thing to remember is that the Japanese version can be a bit more expensive but it offers you with more quality control and in some models customisation. A good example is the Stella 10000SW PG. this is exactly the same reel as a stella 10000FA but the SW PG has got a free spare spool of 16K size to fit the 10K reel and a spare power handle!

The thing to remember when buying is that the size of a 3000 Jap is similar to a 3000 US, UNLESS it has a different spool! Be very careful as Raul pointed out, their line rating are for PE mono and braid! For the braid PE1 is equivalent to 10lb braid, you have PE 0.5 too and the line cap is not the equivalent Mono size, it is the equivalent PE size!

I got use to Japanese models that is why before buying a stella I asked many question on this forum. The line caps can be a nightmare. It is a good idea to ask well before buying.

I have a 4-5 yr old Ultegra 2500.  I havn't get it serviced yet and it is just as smooth if not smoother then the day i got it. I think I'll get it serviced in a day or two. When I played with the stradic or the symetre in the 2500 models I dont know it seems that my ultegra feels even better.

Redsyn: Nice one!

If you were to turn an Ultegra blinfolded and a Stella as well, you will nearly see the difference! :-/