Can someone please expound on this "Core Protect" that Shimano advertises?

 

Looking at the TranX models.

Advertised to have this, but how does this even work on or in a baitcast reel? 
Yes, we know, like many baitcast reels, the TranX has drain holes. Saltwater will get in if it’s dunked and allowed to drain. 
Are they talking about a special clear coat, or a space age ceramic technology just on the body? Are there special gaskets factory installed not allowing water near the pinion and main gear? Had it been revealed when disassembling folks?

If anyone had disassemble one, please reply with photos of the inside of any Tranx. If it’s just nominal grease within the innards like most baitcast’s, it’s basically standard with a nice clear coat finish am I right?

Not to mention, when sand gets into any aluminum worm gear and inside main housing, what really happens when you keep retrieving? My guess it’s the same as any baitcast reel, It’s done.

For spinning reels the biggest difference is the way the AR clutch is protected, and im sure casting reels are similar.  Coreprotect just uses a hydrophobic coating to bead up water and keep it out, where X protect uses a hydrophobic coating and a labyrinth system that th water has to traverse before getting deeper into the reel.  Essentially the X protect has much better protection from water entering underneath the rotor vs core protect.  

I’ll add that it’s a nice little extra feature but mostly marketing and fixing what ain’t broke 

At 8:47 in this video he goes over the hydrophobic coating used in Shimano baitcast reels.

8 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

At 8:47 in this video he goes over the hydrophobic coating used in Shimano baitcast reels.

Watched the entire vid. So it’s a beef’d up Curado for inshore. The hydrophobic coating seems to really pertain to just spinning reels. Made a good point on them gears though. Got everyone scratching their head on which gears are more robust.

On 5/4/2025 at 4:51 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I’ll add that it’s a nice little extra feature but mostly marketing and fixing what ain’t broke 

Agree. Both Daiwa and Shimano guilty of marketing stuff in this manner. The video clearly explains what they’ve done in the attempt to keep out the water intrusion. Maybe the small things (ie parts and design) does help a little. However it still isn’t even IPX1.

Shimano should’ve created a video to explain these small adjustments.  From the outside, it sure does look plain as a Curado or let alone a plain basic reel. 

11 hours ago, KeepinItBassy said:

Agree. Both Daiwa and Shimano guilty of marketing stuff in this manner. The video clearly explains what they’ve done in the attempt to keep out the water intrusion. Maybe the small things (ie parts and design) does help a little. However it still isn’t even IPX1.

Shimano should’ve created a video to explain these small adjustments.  From the outside, it sure does look plain as a Curado or let alone a plain basic reel. 

If it weren’t for my work I wouldn’t pay any attention to stuff. It’s nothing I’d base a purchase on from a pure consumer perspective.