Looking to buy a reel, narrowed it down to Zillion or Chronarch with a GLoomis rod.What do you guys think is the better reel?Thanks ahead of time!

I am a big fan of Shimano but I was looking for a high speed reel and the Zillion fit the bill.  I paired it with a Loomis  IMX MBR844C.  I tried it out today for the first time and was impressed with both.  The Zillion felt smooth and yet it was like percision instrument.  Unlike the Chronarch, it felt light weight in my hand and was comfortable to palm.  Casting was good but not fantastic.  The reel excels with anything 3/8 oz or heavier.  As far as the rod goes, it was a perfect match for the reel.  Even though I only caught two small bass and an average sized crapie, I could tell this rod is an excellent general purpose bass rod. I have a GLX MBR783C and it is more sensitive.  I almost wish I would have purchased the GLX MBR844C  but the IMX is a fine rod.  It does load differently than any other rod I have used.  It is stiffer and it will take some time to get used to.

From a first time use perspective, I would say go with the Zillion but if you want to spend a couple extra bucks I would get a Shimano Calais.

This of course is just my personal opinion.  Good luck and happy fishing.

Thanks for reply I think Iam gonna go with Shimano Calais 100A

and a G.loomis MBR782C this is gonna be my worm rod.

If you're setting it for worms, check out the GLX BCR803. It's the most sensitive rod I have ever fished.  It is a true work of art but not made for braided line.  No matter what you choose, try to put the whole thing together and get a feel for the rod and the reel as a complete system.

One more piece of advice, give this post a chance to grow.  I am sure their will be several suggestions and load of info to come.

Believe it or not, I actually prefer my Chronarchs over my Calais.  Unless I have it dialed in perfectly, my Calais just doesn't perform as well as I'd expect.  It's also heavy, noticeably heavy.  I find this particularly true when I have it on a Helium.  I often wonder what the point of buying such a relatively light rod is if I'm just going to put on such a relatively heavy reel.

Then again, the Chronarch is by no means light (unless you're looking at mgs), only lighter.  A Chronarch; however, is considerably cheaper than a Calais but, as far as I'm concerned, sacrifices little in performance and quality.

i have the chronarch ,,, well 2 of them ..... they are great reels and where my favorite ,,,, well until i baught my zillion ....  i also took a new cu 201 back for another zillion .... the zillion is sweet ... she casts so nice ... im really impresed with the zillion and im a shimano guy ..... shimano better step it up ... theres no way ill buy a shimano calas dc for 600 bucks ,,, i just think diawa made a work horse of a reel .....

I was also a Shimano diehard.  Til I bought a Zillion.  Great reels, they feel much more precise than Shimano.  

Handling a Zillion a few times has made me seriously rethink my commitment to Shimano. :-/

try one brother ..... they are sweet .... i baught my first one for a jig rod / worm rod .... and i took the cu i baught for my frog rod .... the seconed is on my frog rod .... ;D

The Calais is a fine choice, one you will never regret.

I purchased mine five or six years ago. It was perfect then, but somehow better now.

(Maybe I'm catching up!)

No doubt, Daiwa has introduced some better reels recently, I've sometimes wondered "where ya been?"

Competition among manufacturers is great for for all of us "consumers".  Now if we could just get both higher quality and better prices!

I've lamented Daiwa's unwillingness to join the 21st century in spinning reel design for a long time.

Hopefully the Steez is their first step in that new direction.

Thanks for replies!Gonna go with Calais, zillion seems more of a burner which i dont need for worm fishing and the Gloomis rod MBR782C Iam partial to 6'6 rods that are med i use very light weight on worms.Did alot of reasearch on all 3 reels Calais 100A  seem like it will fit my needs,read about some probs with chronarch and zillion is a burner..Thanks again will post review!

They make a 6.3 zillion. Give that a try.

I've lamented Daiwa's unwillingness to join the 21st century in spinning reel design for a long time.

Hopefully the Steez is their first step in that new direction.

the stella is 2nd rate compared to the steez-  

They make a 6.3 zillion. Give that a try.

I read about problems with zillion gonna stick with Shimano

Btw iam going from a BPS $60 reel to a $400 Shimano I am sure its gonna be night and day.

They make a 6.3 zillion. Give that a try.

I read about problems with zillion gonna stick with Shimano

 Where ?  What problems?

They make a 6.3 zillion. Give that a try.

I read about problems with zillion gonna stick with Shimano

Can you post the problems you have read about the zillion?  I am interested to know because I am seriously considering the zillion for my next buy.  Thanks.

They make a 6.3 zillion. Give that a try.

I read about problems with zillion gonna stick with Shimano

Can you post the problems you have read about the zillion? I am interested to know because I am seriously considering the zillion for my next buy. Thanks.

I would like to know these problems you are talking about, as I am considering getting a zillion too.

my mistake I read that the zillion didnt handle lighter baits good and thats what I mostly use so I decided against the zillion sorry about the confusion

Where did you read that the Zillion doesnt handle braids well?  That is all I use and have never had any issues.  

Where did you read that the Zillion doesnt handle braids well? That is all I use and have never had any issues.

light baits

A quote from the Tackletour review of the reel..

In fact, this reel really hits its stride with baits in the half to three-quarter ounce range.

A quote from the Tackletour review of the reel..

In fact, this reel really hits its stride with baits in the half to three-quarter ounce range.

Thank you Reelmech I was just about to post that but it also has this from tackle tour

"Performance A good general purpose reel though not quite suited for finesse application"

By no means am I knocking Zillion!It's not what Iam looking for!Iam looking for a reel that can handle finesse baits thats y I went with the Calais....

Where did you read that the Zillion doesnt handle braids well? That is all I use and have never had any issues.

 

Haven't had any problems casting lighter baits with mine either,   I guess it's all in your casting abilitys