Ok guys, christmas is coming around, and I'm looking to buy a new reel with some extra christmas money i hope to get...I've really narrowed it down between a curado and a Revo stx...Can i get some help pointing out the goods/bads about each, and a preferance choice....Or, if you can think of a better reel NO HIGHER THAN $200, speak up.

Thanks

Before the pizzing contest begins, I'd suggest finding an angler or two that has one of each and try them out for yourself.  $200 bucks is a lot of money to spend on a reel and the track record around here for advice is largely based on brand loyalty vs real pro and con comparisons.  

Any reel these days made by one of the major manufacturers at that price point is going to be a good reel.  

These reels are definitely very close. You couldn't go wrong with either. As cart said your going to get a lot of brand loyalty posts. One notable difference is the Revo is slightly smaller and weighs an ounce less. I have a Curado 201DPV and love it, havn't fished a Revo yet so I can't give too much insight! If you go with the curado, you can definitely get one for ~$150.

I don't think you can go wrong!!!

I have 5 Revos (1 STX, 2 SX, 2 SC) and 2 Curado 200 DHSVs.

I compare the Revo STX and Curado 200 DHSV this way:

The STX casts farther.

The STX has a better, smoother drag.

The STX seems to me to be made a little more ruggedly - both sideplates are metal, beefier guts (Curado 200 has metal crank-side plate, and graphite brake-side plate, Curado 100 is graphite on both sides).

The Curado has a better brake (the STX moderate to none).

The Curado has better grips (good for cold weather).

The Curado is better for brackish water.

Toss up between the reels with respect to smoothness.  Both are very smooth.  The STX does have less back play.  The Curado is a little quieter when cranking. (Tested side-by-side with empty spools).  

I've dealt with Abu customer service, and they have been flawless.

The Revo is smaller than the Curado 200. Both feel good to me.

Both are fantastic reels.  If I were going to shose one for casting lighter baits and needed distance, or needed a mega-drag, I'd get the Revo STX.  If you need good brake performance, and want to flip/pitch, or just like a bigger reel,, the Curado D 200 is the way to go.

You really can't lose here.

I have 5 Revos (1 STX, 2 SX, 2 SC) and 2 Curado 200 DHSVs.

I compare the Revo STX and Curado 200 DHSV this way:

The STX casts farther.

The STX has a better, smoother drag.

The STX seems to me to be made a little more ruggedly - both sideplates are metal, beefier guts (Curado 200 has metal crank-side plate, and graphite brake-side plate, Curado 100 is graphite on both sides).

The Curado has a better brake (the STX moderate to none).

The Curado has better grips (good for cold weather).

The Curado is better for brackish water.

Toss up between the reels with respect to smoothness. Both are very smooth. The STX does have less back play. The Curado is a little quieter when cranking. (Tested side-by-side with empty spools).

I've dealt with Abu customer service, and they have been flawless.

The Revo is smaller than the Curado 200. Both feel good to me.

Both are fantastic reels. If I were going to shose one for casting lighter baits and needed distance, or needed a mega-drag, I'd get the Revo STX. If you need good brake performance, and want to flip/pitch, or just like a bigger reel,, the Curado D 200 is the way to go.

You really can't lose here.

Well done!  

I hope you will follow up down the road when the reels are "broken in".

I'm interested in how the reels hold up over time.

If you decide on the Curado, wait a couple days as a $50 rebate from Shimano starts Dec. 1.

The Revo has more drag that you are ever going to need for LMB. 18 lbs on the HS version. That's a lot of drag pressure. The Curado has less, but still more than you will need for LMB. So I don't consider it a real advantage over the Curado.

The brake issue is not a real big deal for me, either. I grew up throwing Ambassedeurs with 2 pin non-adjustable brakes. I learned to cast with my thumb. So I'm used to controling overruns without much help from a brake. But if I were relying on the brake more, the Curado's is better. It's a 6-pin mechanical brake and it will slow the spool very well. The Revo's is a magnetic brake and in its lowest setting it might as well not even be there. On max, it slows the spool reasonably well. I usually leave them set at the 50% mark. The plus on the Revo is that it's externally adjustable. I think the brake situation contributes, though, to the superior casting distance for the Revo. It's a trade-off. I usually don't fish where I need the longests cast possible.

On the Curado, you give the side dial a 1/4 turn (very precise clicks BTW) and the side plate swings down on a pin (so it won't fall off completely). So the Curado brake is more effective, but the Revo's is more easily adjusted.

On thing I forgot to mention is finish. Both finishes are killer.

I'm glad I have both.

Micropterus, that was an excellent review. A balanced side by side comparison from a man who owns and uses both. I'd really like to see more of this when these type of questions arise.

Well done, sir.

Cheers,

GK

Micropterus, that was an excellent review. A balanced side by side comparison from a man who owns and uses both. I'd really like to see more of this when these type of questions arise.

Well done, sir.

Cheers,

GK

AMEN!!!!! Thanks a ton Micropterus...Very, Very Helpfull!

very good review indeed. but like others have said, w/ 200 bucks to pop you realy cant go wrong. any reel at this price is gonna be quality. at this level it all depends on the nitty gritty stuff.

i will say that shimanos 1/4 turn brake panel thing is very good. it may seem like a pain and all, but i have a citica (same brake system) and the brakes are really no hassle by any means. you just flip up the switch, turn it a little bit, the thing flings open, click in your brakes, shut it, your done. and you'll find that you dont adjust your brakes very often. w/ my citica i keep brakes on 2 and i can cast anything as far as i need to. i personally like the internal brakes, because i have a daiwa w/ external mag brakes and i tend to switch them all around when i palm the reel. just me.

Adjusting the brake on the Curado (Citica) is easy compared to the old Curado BSF (which sucked).  First, it only takes a 1/4 turn to unlock the side plate.  The mechanism is very precise.   Second, the plate is now on a pin so it doesn't come off in your hand - it just swings out of your way.  This is a definate advantage over the Revo S reel which has a 6 pin brake.  You have to take the side plate off completely on the Revo S.  

For me, I'll set the brake and probably never touch it again.  I like less braking because I like (or in the habit of) using my thumb.

One other thing about the Revo STX - it has a clicking spool-tension knob.  The Curado does not.   This is an inconsequential difference.

The Revo has a bigger line eye (or whatever it's called) and it's easier to get the line through the hole than the Curado.  

These reels are both so good it may come down to which one you think looks cooler.

I have both. Havn't had the Revo long enough to see how it will hold up. You cannot go wrong with the Curado though.

Micropterus basically covered it all perfectly. Just pick which one sound more like your kind of reel. But I would really reccomend feeling them both in person before picking.

I'm baised towards Shimano b/c I've had such good luck with them over 15 years of hard fishing with little if any maintenence.

I think the Shimano product line has stood the test of time from a durability standpoint.

The old Garcia stuff (the old round reels, 4600's etc.) were great values for the money, but they're fairly new to the low profile, high end game.

I would say Shimano is a safer bet based on their track record, but both reels are comparable from a performance standpoint. I've handled the Revo, and they feel very nice. I just have a hard time pulling the trigger on anything but Shimano because of the luck I've had with them.

Thanks again guys, has been very helpfull..... I'm pretty sure I know which one I'm going to get, but The next time I go to basspro, handle both of them just to make sure. thanks again.

Let us know which one you get.

might not be for a while, but I def. will