I just purchased a Trion baitcasing reel on eBay, and can't figure out what I assume is the centrifugal brake system.  It didn't come with an owner's manual, and Pflueger's website doesn't have any information or down-loadable product support.

It appears there are only two positions, labeled 'lock' and 'unlock'.  This is not like any other labeling I'm familiar with (I'm recalling Shimano reels, which have a micro-click system from 0 to 100).

Can anyone familiar with these reels help me figure this out?  What is being "locked" and "unlocked"?

it works exactly like a shimano centrifugal brake.when the pins are out they are unlocked and working.when the pins are pushed in they are locked and not working.

Sorry Dodgeguy, I don't mean to be dense, but I am still confused.  So are there only two positions (lock and unlock)?  I don't understand "pins are out and working".  

For a Shimano (I'm used to the older Magnumlites), I can dial in brake assistance at 10, 40, or crank it all the way to 100.  With each click, the weights/magnets/pins/whatever move closer to / further from the spool.

I guess the lack of markings is what I really find confusing, that and any absence of a 'click' when I turn the dial and this thing I have to push in, and this business of lock and unlock.  

I dont own one but sounds like ur talking about the side cover to get into the reel

First, don't worry too much because it is not as complicated as you think.

Although this is a picture of a Curado the concept is exactly the same. I have a trion and curado.

Many folks find 3 brakes off and 3 on to be a good "all around" setting. When you pull the brakes out, be careful. On trions, you can accidentally remove the off the shaft completely. No big deal, but put them back out. Pulling them out means that the brake is "ON" and pushing them in toward the center means that you are turning the brakle "OFF">

It's that simple. One other thing about the trion. Its lower limit is about 1/4 oz. going lower than this without a properly set reel can make things a bit finicky for the reel. Good luck!

Wow!  It's like I just discovered buried treasure !  I wonder how long it would have taken me, without an owner's manual, to figure out that the entire side plate comes off!  I've always been used to those knurled finger screws.  Many thanks to you, Grimlin and Islandbass!!  

I did have one helluva time trying to unlock 3 pins, though.  Each hat came completely off the pin, as you said islandbass.  One hat flew onto the floor and I thought I lost it for good.  Then, when I had to put them back on, the 'brim' of the 'hat' became distorted as I pushed it past the brake shoe.

Do pins work better than magnets, in your guys' opinion?  This system seems really delicate/fragile to me, not to mention cumbersome, and potentially hazardous if your are out in a boat.  I can just see one of the little hats flying off into the water, or my buddy stepping on my sideplate as I'm trying to unseat these hats.

I think I prefer simply turning a dial on the outside.  That way, if my setting is wrong, I can readjust within one second, not having to open the reel.  But since I've never experienced pin centrifugal brakes, maybe I'm premature in my judgments.  What do the high-end reels use?

And maybe I am not using these properly.  I used to change my settings on my old Shimano reels based on whatever lure I used and wind conditions.  If I went from a 3/8 spinner bait to a 3/4 oz. top water, I made my "rough" adjustment using the cast control knob and then "fine tuned" using the magentic dial.  Do most people change the setting once and leave it alone?

Don't open the side plate in a boat. After setting the brakes so they are comfortable for you, they rarely (never) need adjustment. I check them after the reels have been serviced and that's all.

CHECK YOU PM"S  I HAVE AN EXTRA BOOKLET FOR YOU NEED YOUR ADRESS

imho i think magnets suck. set your brakes so they are every other one in the out "unlocked" position you will probably have no reason to ever change that. when i worked at gander mountain i had so many customers hooked on the brake system i rarely sold any with magnets. people who had trouble with baitcasters found they loved the ones with brakes. i sold a ton of those trion reels, good price good looking reel. hard to beat shimano though ;D

Thanks KMS and RoadWarrior.  The idea of setting brakes once and never (or hardly ever) having to deal with them again is appealing.  I did exactly what you said, so I have 3 pins locked and 3 unlocked (alternating).

Muddy, I replied to your PM.  Thank you!