So, for 2007 Shimano introduces their new, redesigned, state-of-the-art Curado for $199. Abu Garcia introduces their top-of-the-line Revo @ $199 and Daiwa reduces the price of their premier TD-Z to $199.

Ain't that somethin'?

The Daiwa Steez is intoduced at $449, plus $60 to the Shimano Calais at $389 to make a statement. Obviously the TD-Z was never really comparable to the Calais, so Daiwa kicks it up a notch and prices their new reel with some one-upmanship. Now the "hot" reel is the Steez so they place the TD-Z up against the Revo and Curado for awhile and probably discontinue the model that would otherwise be cannabilized by their other product introductions.

Man, this is too cool and everyone benefits! Maybe Shimano will reprice the Calais to $199 and reduce the Calais DC to compete at the same pricing point as the Steez. For everyone interested in high-end reels, this is heaven. What I am really anxious to see is how the market receives the Steez rods priced at +$95 to top end G.Loomis GLX. I will be very surprised if that works out.

I don't know but I really like being on the beneficial end of this. : I only wish Shimano would do the same to the Stella lineup. Who wouldn't want a Stella for $199.99? ;D

What I am really anxious to see is how the market receives the Steez rods priced at +$95 to top end G.Loomis GLX. I will be very surprised if that works out.  

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That will be a big shoe to fill.  I doubt it happens. In elite rods it will be extremely hard to top the GLX in all aspects.

                          reduce the Calais DC to compete at the same pricing point as the Steez. For everyone interested in high-end reels, this is heaven.    

RW if they do I will own one or two.

Unfortunately, the TD-Z was priced that way to merely liquidate the rest of Daiwa's stock.  My uncle is a Daiwa Pro-staffer, and is able to order 15 reels a year at cost.  He said TD-Z's through his pro-staff deal were $212.60, so I think Daiwa was barely breaking even or losing money on those TD-Z's at $199.  They never had a problem selling them at $350; I just wish they would have kept it in the lineup.  It seems to fill a void in-between the Steez and Zillion.  Daiwa could have added the flashy metal trim peices that the Zillion has, and renamed it the Zillion Mg.  I should work for their marketing department  

You may have hit it on the nose with the Mg Zillion but that is pure speculation.  Something will fill that spot in the Daiwa line up, that is for sure.  

Man, killing me that I missed out on the Z sale.  Turn the machines back on!!  Turn the machines back on!!

RW,

You hit the nail on the head.  competion always fuels product redesign - and we as consumers end up winning.  I'm dissapointed that the TD-Z is no longer being made, it is a FANTASTIC reel and at $200 was an unreal value.  I think I represent a few people when I say that I was a Shimano diehard, but the level of precision in Daiwa reels is hard to ignore.  

Come back to the force RW, stay away from the darkside... ;D