I read on another forum some fellow saying the Revo STX only has 10 lbs of "running drag," and the Premier even less.  He laments Abu's advertising that the Revo has so much drag.  So I decided to test it.

I tied the end of the line to my Bogagrip (hardly scientific, but it is certifiable) and tightned the drag. I applied steady (that means slow) pressure until the drag started to slip. The pressure needed to start the drag is the same needed to continue it. If I apply less pressure than it took to start it, it stops. There is no difference. If I set the drag to start at 10 lbs, it starts at 10 lbs. It doesn't keep going at 9 lbs. So it appears the "breakaway drag" and running drag is the same on the reel I'm testing.

So I cranked it down some more. I was able to get 10 lbs.  Cranked it down some more and got 12 lbs.  More and I got 14 lbs. Then I got over 14lbs. At over 14 lbs the line kept pulling off my Bogagrip (there's no real good place to tie it on except around the actuator handle) or the knot kept pulling out.

This was on my 7.1:1 reel which is advertised as having 18lbs of drag pressure. I'm confident I could achieve that if I had line that could handle it.

While hardly scientific, it does suggest to me that the Revo STX has a drag that is pretty consistent with it's advertised capabilities.   It's also suggests to me that Trilene XL 14# breaks over 14 lbs  .  

Not a scientific test, but that's good drag performance (not that you'll ever need it).  I was suprised to see that when I set the drag where I like it "by feel" it's only about 4 lbs.  

Good report Micro. There are lots of Revo haters around who spout off about things they've never used.

Revo's rock!  

Hmm...

I guess I don't see the point. When I set up a new combination, I initially set the drag with a scale. My Heavy Power rods don't seem to like to raise more than 3- 4 lbs of weight. Where does 14 lbs come into play? My "systems" are balanced, I never get broken off by a fish and have never broken a rod "fishing". Frankly, I cannot imagine why anyone fishing feshwater equipment would ever need or put into play, 14 lbs of drag. What am I missing here?

What am I missing here?

If your boat floats away from the dock and you're lucky enough to have a Revo and a rod somewhere close, you can reel your boat back to the dock. I thought you knew that RW.  ;D

RW, it's not about practicality.  I use 4lbs, too.  I was simply trying to see if my reel would generate the advertised drag pressure.  It will, IMO.  That's the sole point.  

What am I missing here?

If your boat floats away from the dock and you're lucky enough to have a Revo and a rod somewhere close, you can reel your boat back to the dock. I thought you knew that RW. ;D

Besides missing you at Guntersville, I am very disappointed

that I am not going to have the opportunity to fish the Revo/Kistler

combination you promised me!

Next year. ;D ;D

8-)

What am I missing here?

If your boat floats away from the dock and you're lucky enough to have a Revo and a rod somewhere close, you can reel your boat back to the dock. I thought you knew that RW. ;D

Besides missing you at Guntersville, I am very disappointed

that I am not going to have the opportunity to fish the Revo/Kistler

combination you promised me!

Next year. ;D ;D

8-)

Oh but your gonna get the Daiwa/Kistler opportunity.  I will make sure of that. Pity too, you'll be throwing away all those "other" rods and reels you use after that. ;) ;D

Micro, pretty interesting information on the drag. You got me curious as to what drag pressure I use. I tested my drag pressure on one of my Alphas and it was about 4.5 pounds of drag force. I kind of always thought that Daiwa was a little light in the drag department. Most of their reels only average between 6-8 pounds of drag force. Makes me feel better now knowing that I'm not even using all of the capable drag pressure on my Daiwas. Thanks for posting!!

We tested them about six months ago and got 18.5lbs out of them.

I need 12+ lbs of drag for my jigs. I fish stuff that if you don't turn the fish's head quick and get them out of the mess they are in you will never see them. Try turning a 6lb+ bass's head with a drag set at 4 or 7 pounds. You can't do it.

perhaps its not the point of "my drag can excert more force then yours..."

Perhaps its just a simple matter of a company delivering as advertised.  I dont own a revo, but if the tests support the claims, then I am inclined to believe that the product will hold up in other areas as well.

The other thing I wanted to check was the notion that it takes more force to move the drag initially (someone termed it "breakaway") than to keep it moving (someone termed it "running drag").  It wasn't the case with my reel.  If it took 10 lbs to start the drag, it took 10 lbs to keep it moving.  Releasing some pressure, say to 9 lbs, and it stopped.    

Micro, I like the information that you have posted on both forums. I was the one that started that thread. I am in the market for a reel that can pull fish from some nasty stuff. It will be used to fish frogs and jig fishing. I was more or less curious to know if Abu was accurate in their claims.

RW, don't worry I am still a die hard Shimano fan. That will never change.