I like Daiwa rods but I'm a Shimano reel guy at heart. The Shimano reels I have palm great and just fit my hands. The Breaking system feels fluid, natural and unobtrusive. Shimano reels are very set and forget for me, I don't touch the dial that much, regardless of lure weight or conditions.

 

Daiwa baitcasters, on the other hand, can be bulky and feel strange on a rod. The magnetic breaking feels intrusive and I'm always trying to get rid of the feel. This affects my "fun". This is true for casting but most apparent when pitching. The experience of pitching with magnetic brakes just doesn't suit my tastes.

 

Too early to do a quick write up with only a few hours on the water? Nah, it's just a reel,

 

So why did I buy a Zillion? Curiosity I guess. I understand the braking system uses centrifugal forces to move the rotor in and out of the magnetic field. I found that intruiging. People speak highly of this reel. Most of all, there is a new tackle shop in my town that is carrying a bunch of great stuff from the Dark Side. I'm invested in supporting their growth. So rather than buy another Met from Japan, I decided to drop some coin on a Zillion they had in stock.

 

So what do I think of it? Well, it is big and bulky and doesn't palm comfortably. It isn't bad, but it isn't a Met or even a Curado. The frame doesn't feel nearly as solid at the Met's magnesium frame. It is a smooth reel, no doubt, very refined feeling. The biggest surprise is the braking system. Daiwa has solved mag brakes as far as I'm concerned. It's not perfect, but it is very close. Casting is so smooth, the way the line feels coming off the spool is very satisfying. I can't feel the brakes in the way that has always annoyed me. Despite what others say, and despite what my past experience with Daiwa reels tells me, this Zillion can absolutely go toe to toe with my Met on casting distance (at least so far in my limited experience). Casting distance isn't everything of course, but from the bank you can only fish where you can reach. Just as important to me, however, is how the reel feels in action, and not feeling those magnets makes a huge difference. Even pitching distance is reliably very good and feels great.

 

I never touched the spool tension (normally that is the first thing I do with a reel) I just left it and started casting on the default position of 6 on the external dial. It just felt great right out of the box. I've backed the dial down to 3 and it is performing every bit as well as I'd expect from a Shimano reel.

 

The clicker drag is an amazing addition. I really didn't expect to appreciate it as much as I do. It's just really great to have visceral feedback on your drag settings, not just when a fish makes a run either. I really like to set my drag so it slips just a little bit on hookset. The audible click is great feedback that everything is dialed in.

 

If you love your Tatula and are thinking about moving up in price, this reel might actually blow your mind, and if it doesn't, it sure won't be a step in a wrong direction! If you are a Shimano fan will the Zillion change your mind and pull over to the other side? No, very likely not, but it is a solid option with some nice features like the clicker drag and the braking system... just. solves. magnetic. brakes...

 

If I were to buy another reel tomorrow I would buy another Met. But this reel has shifted my perspective on Daiwa baitcasters an magnetic brakes in general.

From the back of a boat I consistently can cast further with my Zillions than others with Shimano and others.

 

I am the complete opposite though, I can't stand shimano's braking system and do not like how they feel in my hand.

If you haven't touched the spool tension, you should, just to confirm where it is.  They are supposed to be zero adjust set from the factory, but confirm it.  If you are casting on a '3' for the braking system, you're either using a good bit of thumb, not really loading up the rod and lure, or else there is spool tension added.  I find that on mine, anything under an 8 or so and you're fluffing up pretty good and lower is an immediate blowup on an overhead cast.

 

I'm also a shimano guy for the most part.  I've got a good set of mets, bantams, and chronachs (plus an aldebaran BFS) as well as my zillion (with some more reels on the way).  I agree they have a bit different form factor and shape.  Most people have a preference for one or the other, but both are very good.  

22 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

If you haven't touched the spool tension, you should, just to confirm where it is.  They are supposed to be zero adjust set from the factory, but confirm it.  If you are casting on a '3' for the braking system, you're either using a good bit of thumb, not really loading up the rod and lure, or else there is spool tension added.  I find that on mine, anything under an 8 or so and you're fluffing up pretty good and lower is an immediate blowup on an overhead cast.

 

I'm also a shimano guy for the most part.  I've got a good set of mets, bantams, and chronachs (plus an aldebaran BFS) as well as my zillion (with some more reels on the way).  I agree they have a bit different form factor and shape.  Most people have a preference for one or the other, but both are very good.  

I will take a look at the spool tension at some point, for sure. There is clearly tension on the spool, as they intend from the factory. There is clearly not much room to go down in braking. There is no side to side play on the spool, but I'd expect that from the factory. That said, I'm bombing casts to what I consider to be my personal maximum distance, I couldn't expect any more out of any gear, or my own body. This isn't a problem by any means, quite the opposite. Using my thumb is a matter of reflex and not an indication of a problem with the performance of the reel. Rod and lures familiar and are fine. I don't see an issue, I'm not having problems.

38 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

From the back of a boat I consistently can cast further with my Zillions than others with Shimano and others.

 

I am the complete opposite though, I can't stand shimano's braking system and do not like how they feel in my hand.

I'm really impressed! From my reading, the impression seems to linger than Shimano will outcast Daiwa, even the Zillion with the Mag Boost brakes. I'm just not experiencing this either. Re: Shimano, I have small hands... don't read into that.

I'd give the Met or Curado the edge with braid for distance over the Zillion.  The Zillion offers great distance but also tons of control to handle stiff plastic lines and skipping.  That's the appeal of the Zillion.  I can do both ends of the spectrum pretty well.  If you live at braid and bomb casting end of the spectrum try backing off the spool tension in your Shimanos.  You can run them as zero adjust spool tension reels too.  The Japanese instructions actually tell you to do this. 

3 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

I'd give the Met or Curado the edge with braid for distance over the Zillion.  The Zillion offers great distance but also tons of control to handle stiff plastic lines and skipping.  That's the appeal of the Zillion.  I can do both ends of the spectrum pretty well.  If you live at braid and bomb casting end of the spectrum try backing off the spool tension in your Shimanos.  You can run them as zero adjust spool tension reels too.  The Japanese instructions actually tell you to do this. 

I keep my Shimano reels free of spool tension, I tend to leave either a touch of side to side play or just at the point where it stops. I haven't opened them or adjusted the spool tension in years. I don't have any issues with their performance.

i love both..but i have been cussing at my Bantam more, recently.

 

the Zillion is just a pleasure.  i dont know where i have my centrifugal weight things.  i havent opened it in a while.  i do know i have my knob set at 10.   both of them are set up exactly the same.  i can move with relative ease between baits that are heavier or lighter than each other and i dont touch a thing.   i think the finish is a bit dainty, and one of mine looks older than it is from a single trip down south.  

 

let me know if you hate it...   i'll dispose of it with respect and dignity.  

1 minute ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i love both..but i have been cussing at my Bantam more, recently.

 

the Zillion is just a pleasure.  i dont know where i have my centrifugal weight things.  i havent opened it in a while.  i do know i have my knob set at 10.   both of them are set up exactly the same.  i can move with relative ease between baits that are heavier or lighter than each other and i dont touch a thing.   i think the finish is a bit dainty, and one of mine looks older than it is from a single trip down south.  

 

let me know if you hate it...   i'll dispose of it with respect and dignity.  

hahah, I don't hate it at all. I just find it big. I have it on a p5 Dark Sleeper at the moment and it makes the whole setup feel bigger, like I'm bringing a bigger rod than I need. It's a strange feeling, clearly the rod hasn't changed in size. I'm going to move it around and see if it finds a natural home on another rod. If not I may trade it off one day, orn not. Who knows. I'm certainly having fun with it. I'm really pleased with what they have done with the brakes.

Just now, jejenkyns said:

hahah, I don't hate it at all. I just find it big. I have it on a p5 Dark Sleeper at the moment and it makes the whole setup feel bigger, like I'm bringing a bigger rod than I need. It's a strange feeling, clearly the rod hasn't changed in size. I'm going to move it around and see if it finds a natural home on another rod. If not I may trade it off one day, orn not. Who knows. I'm certainly having fun with it. I'm really pleased with what they have done with the brakes.

(d**n!) 

Spool options are a huge plus with the Zillion but I wouldn't go any further than that with customization, that rabbit hole is bottomless  

9 minutes ago, Peacedivision said:

Spool options are a huge plus with the Zillion but I wouldn't go any further than that with customization, that rabbit hole is bottomless  

Lol. Do tell. What spool options should I look into? I'm untrained!

9 minutes ago, jejenkyns said:

Lol. Do tell. What spool options should I look into? I'm untrained!

I mostly use mine for up close weightless plastics so I run an slp works 1012 sv g1 spool.

Pretty light I think the spool is under 10 grams and the shallow capacity means I'm not wasting a ton of line spooling up expensive FC.

Casting/pitching weightless baits is a breeze. I keep the stock spool loaded with braid but haven't touched it for a while.

You have options from BFS to deep cut long casting spools for heavy line applications and everything in between from daiwa/slp and third party manufacturers.

2 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

 

 

I am the complete opposite though, I can't stand shimano's braking system and do not like how they feel in my hand.

I agree. Daiwa’s feel a lot better in my hands.

1 hour ago, jejenkyns said:

I will take a look at the spool tension at some point, for sure. There is clearly tension on the spool, as they intend from the factory. There is clearly not much room to go down in braking. There is no side to side play on the spool, but I'd expect that from the factory. That said, I'm bombing casts to what I consider to be my personal maximum distance, I couldn't expect any more out of any gear, or my own body. This isn't a problem by any means, quite the opposite. Using my thumb is a matter of reflex and not an indication of a problem with the performance of the reel. Rod and lures familiar and are fine. I don't see an issue, I'm not having problems.

I'm really impressed! From my reading, the impression seems to linger than Shimano will outcast Daiwa, even the Zillion with the Mag Boost brakes. I'm just not experiencing this either. Re: Shimano, I have small hands... don't read into that.

 

By all means, if it is working great for you then roll with it.  The factory setting is supposed to be no spool tension- just enough to eliminate side to side play with the button depressed and the spool released.  Then let the brakes do the work.  If I'm fishing 3/4 total bait weight or less that's how I leave it.  If I'm fishing more than that I'll add a little just to save my thumb some work.

 

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i love both..but i have been cussing at my Bantam more, recently.

 

Do you have fluoro on it by chance?  I have two now and both wore heavy mono until semi recently where I swapped one to 18 lb JDM fluoro.  With the same reel settings (negligible spool tension, let the brakes do the work) I've found that the fluoro wants to backlash a lot more than it should.  I had to crank the brakes up a LONG way to eliminate it that way.  Instead I backed the brakes off to 'normal' levels and added some spool tension instead and that was a better solution for fluoro.  Still get plenty of distance but it eliminates those unexpected fluffs.

I own the new 24 met dc since Winter this year and the Zillion since a few months they came out in 2021. I am trying real hard to understand what one could find bulky in a small compact reel that fits in your hand like an agg? Between the two reels, i do prefer the Met frame, but it has nothing to do with comfort but the looks and the coresolid construction. 

I don't know how a stock Zillion is because i have upgraded mine to 12BB as soon as i got it, and swapped to custom spools, but after doing so, the zillion was at least as smooth as the Met dc, and considering that i have used it a ton since 2021, and that the gears as still perfectly silent and at least 85% as smooth as new, there's zero chance of this happening with the micro module inside the Met.

I bought 2 of the Zillions from Japan when they came out and they are still just as smooth as they were then with normal maintenance. The finish is not the most durable and that’s really the only negative I have on them. I do not find them uncomfortable to palm but I would give the edge to the Metanium in that compartment. 

Funny thread, here’s why.. I’ve sold all my Metaniums and Bantams, save one. I much prefer the Zillion HD over the Metaniums and it’s not even close. 
 

Even the zil 1016 will out cast all my metaniums except the shallow spool edition. I’m not saying the micro module is bad but I’m not convinced. 
 

Anyway, thanks for your opinion and now ya got mine.. 

20 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

Funny thread, here’s why.. I’ve sold all my Metaniums and Bantams, save one. I much prefer the Zillion HD over the Metaniums and it’s not even close. 
 

Even the zil 1016 will out cast all my metaniums except the shallow spool edition. I’m not saying the micro module is bad but I’m not convinced. 
 

Anyway, thanks for your opinion and now ya got mine.. 

Everyone feels differently.  And I think I'm in the minority based on what I've read.The point I was trying to make mostly was how positive I feel about the reel, how pleasantly surprised I am at how much I like it. So our opinions aren't that far off either

1 hour ago, ABU is overpriced said:

I own the new 24 met dc since Winter this year and the Zillion since a few months they came out in 2021. I am trying real hard to understand what one could find bulky in a small compact reel that fits in your hand like an agg? Between the two reels, i do prefer the Met frame, but it has nothing to do with comfort but the looks and the coresolid construction. 

I don't know how a stock Zillion is because i have upgraded mine to 12BB as soon as i got it, and swapped to custom spools, but after doing so, the zillion was at least as smooth as the Met dc, and considering that i have used it a ton since 2021, and that the gears as still perfectly silent and at least 85% as smooth as new, there's zero chance of this happening with the micro module inside the Met.

It's mostly the shape of the side plate. The met side plate follows the contours of my hand. The Zillion forces my hand into a bit of an awkward position and I can feel the underside of the reel rubbing against my palm. It's also a little long for me to really hold the rod the way I'm unused too. Small hands I guess.

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

By all means, if it is working great for you then roll with it.  The factory setting is supposed to be no spool tension- just enough to eliminate side to side play with the button depressed and the spool released.  Then let the brakes do the work.  If I'm fishing 3/4 total bait weight or less that's how I leave it.  If I'm fishing more than that I'll add a little just to save my thumb some work.

 

 

Do you have fluoro on it by chance?  I have two now and both wore heavy mono until semi recently where I swapped one to 18 lb JDM fluoro.  With the same reel settings (negligible spool tension, let the brakes do the work) I've found that the fluoro wants to backlash a lot more than it should.  I had to crank the brakes up a LONG way to eliminate it that way.  Instead I backed the brakes off to 'normal' levels and added some spool tension instead and that was a better solution for fluoro.  Still get plenty of distance but it eliminates those unexpected fluffs.

Braid to leader.

2 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

I mostly use mine for up close weightless plastics so I run an slp works 1012 sv g1 spool.

Pretty light I think the spool is under 10 grams and the shallow capacity means I'm not wasting a ton of line spooling up expensive FC.

Casting/pitching weightless baits is a breeze. I keep the stock spool loaded with braid but haven't touched it for a while.

You have options from BFS to deep cut long casting spools for heavy line applications and everything in between from daiwa/slp and third party manufacturers.

I will look into this. Didn't realize this. Might be cool to get a BFS spool. Curious, what makes the long cast spool a long cast spool?

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

By all means, if it is working great for you then roll with it.  The factory setting is supposed to be no spool tension- just enough to eliminate side to side play with the button depressed and the spool released.  Then let the brakes do the work.  If I'm fishing 3/4 total bait weight or less that's how I leave it.  If I'm fishing more than that I'll add a little just to save my thumb some work.

 

 

Do you have fluoro on it by chance?  I have two now and both wore heavy mono until semi recently where I swapped one to 18 lb JDM fluoro.  With the same reel settings (negligible spool tension, let the brakes do the work) I've found that the fluoro wants to backlash a lot more than it should.  I had to crank the brakes up a LONG way to eliminate it that way.  Instead I backed the brakes off to 'normal' levels and added some spool tension instead and that was a better solution for fluoro.  Still get plenty of distance but it eliminates those unexpected fluffs.

I do have flouro.  14lb Sniper.  

I was trying what you stated, but only just a smidge..I'll keep chasing it down.  I can skip with it more and more.  

All my reels are a combination of Met's,Bantam's, Zillions and one Zillion HD and I personally like them all and have found a rod particular use for each one.

28 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I do have flouro.  14lb Sniper.  

I was trying what you stated, but only just a smidge..I'll keep chasing it down.  I can skip with it more and more.  

Keep playing. I’m normally a zero spool tension and plenty of brakes guy and that didn’t work at all on this bantam with fluoro.  Mine is 18 lb sunline shooter.  I don’t know if the line is acting like a spring and accelerating the process or what, but it takes a good bit of spool tension to hold it back.  Once you find the spot (and it will be more than you think) it will be a whole new setup.  

5 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Keep playing. I’m normally a zero spool tension and plenty of brakes guy and that didn’t work at all on this bantam with fluoro.  Mine is 18 lb sunline shooter.  I don’t know if the line is acting like a spring and accelerating the process or what, but it takes a good bit of spool tension to hold it back.  Once you find the spot (and it will be more than you think) it will be a whole new setup.  

thank you!!  refraining from casting in the front yard now.

..................................................

okay, I caved.  I went out in the front yard!!  you might be on to something!!  "and it will be more than you think" seems to be way better.  my weight was slow dropping, and I backed off the brakes and sent it.  no lash!!  looking forward to taking it out on the water with the Carolina rig...thanks again.  

6 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

thank you!!  refraining from casting in the front yard now.

..................................................

okay, I caved.  I went out in the front yard!!  you might be on to something!!  "and it will be more than you think" seems to be way better.  my weight was slow dropping, and I backed off the brakes and sent it.  no lash!!  looking forward to taking it out on the water with the Carolina rig...thanks again.  

 

At one point I was at the point where a 3/8 weight plus rage bug wasn’t even falling.  I could still cast it 40 yards that way which was plenty more than needed.  

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

Keep playing. I’m normally a zero spool tension and plenty of brakes guy and that didn’t work at all on this bantam with fluoro.  Mine is 18 lb sunline shooter.  I don’t know if the line is acting like a spring and accelerating the process or what, but it takes a good bit of spool tension to hold it back.  Once you find the spot (and it will be more than you think) it will be a whole new setup.  

The heavy fluoro is acting the opposite of a sping springing off the spool.  The stiff plastic line can't get out of its own way and down the level wind and guides at the same rate that a free spinning centrifugal Shimano spool can dispense line.   The work around is to compress the spool in the reel with spool tension to slow the spool to a point that its rate of dispensed line (at speeds where the centrifugal brake is doing little to no braking) is able to match the cumbersome outflow of the heavy fluoro.  It's not ideal but it works.  "Ideal" would be to use a reel that has a braking profile that can handle heavy fluoro without spool tension and to use the free casting centrifugal reel, also without spool tension, with line and baits that play off its free flowing strengths such as braid or less stiff smaller diameter plastic lines paired to long casting baits.

3 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

The heavy fluoro is acting the opposite of a sping springing off the spool.  The stiff plastic line can't get out of its own way and down the level wind and guides at the same rate that a free spinning centrifugal Shimano spool can dispense line.   The work around is to compress the spool in the reel with spool tension to slow the spool to a point that its rate of dispensed line (at speeds where the centrifugal brake is doing little to no braking) is able to match the cumbersome outflow of the heavy fluoro.  It's not ideal but it works.  "Ideal" would be to use a reel that has a braking profile that can handle heavy fluoro without spool tension and to use the free casting centrifugal reel, also without spool tension, with line and baits that play off its free flowing strengths such as braid or less stiff smaller diameter plastic lines paired to long casting baits.

 

That makes sense.  The spool is spinning under the line and the line just can’t get out of the way fast enough.