Can anyone render a qualified opinion on US REEL spinning reels?  I've seen them in stores and they seem very nice (understanding that looks can be deceiving).  I understand they are supposed to handle braid very well.  But I don't know enough about the brand or their long term durability to consider buying one.

Anyone have one?

Any modern day reel handles braided line very well, there have been great improvements in coatings and materials to protect the reel against the abrassion generated by braided line on the spool lip and line roller.

I bought the original, first production run. The reel was "rough" and seemed unbalanced and awkward. That was several years ago. I have been told that the newer models are much nicer, but that's something I'll never know...

Burn me once, shame on you.

Burn me twice, shame on me.

Unless someone you know has a US REEL that you can try-out, I suggest sticking with the new Shimano Stradic which will be out in another month or so. Otherwise, there are or will be some big discounts on the current models. The Stradic is a MUCH better reel than the US REEL I had.