Well I took the plunge, took my defective Revo Premier back and for a few extra bucks I picked up a Shimano Core.  I have been fishing it for about 3 weeks now and it has been a pleasure to use.  If I had to pick one thing that this reel excels at, it would be casting.  It has to be one of the best casting reels out there.  Not joking, I can almost empty the spool.  I can through an unweighted Senko, with no breaks on, from one end of a lake to another. With that said, this reel is the best I have ever used for soft plastic.  This may sound weird but when you palm the Core it seems to add to the sensitivity of the complete setup.  I have also found that the Core makes for a great flipping and pithcing reel as well.  

The Core also makes a giant leap forward with the design as compared to the Curado.  I would hope that Shimano takes a lesson from this and incorporates how the Core is made into their new reels.

The only thing that I would complain about with the Core is the smoothness.  For the price I would think that it would be smoother on the retrieve but it is smoother than the Premier I had.  I would compare the Core, minus the small back play, to the Daiwa Zillion in this category.  It is smooth but I was hoping for more.

When it comes to drag, the Core does not disapoint either.  I have hooked a 14lb catfish and a 6lb largemouth with this reel and had no problems what so ever.  Overall I would say the drag was smooth and powerfull.

Bottomline, if my confidence in Shimano was shaken by the Curado, it has been restored with the Core.   This reel, so far, flat out kicks butt.  

Thank you for the review. I don't have one yet,

but am looking forward to purchasing a Core in

the very near future.

8-)

Fishtank,

How many is a few?  

I agree that the Core is a nice reel, I've been using one since Christmas.  Mine is very smooth, maybe yours needs another drop of oil somewhere.  I do wish it had better line capacity.... as you mentioned casting it dry- since I use #14 & #17 XT, it's a real possibility and i see the holes in the spool on nearly every cast.  

Have you used a 50MG?  Other than looks, I haven't seen much difference in practical use between them.  Both are very light, smooth, castable and have smooth drags...  Maybe the 50MG was just ahead of it's time.  ...lol

Thank you for the review. I don't have one yet,

but am looking forward to purchasing a Core in

the very near future.

8-)

you're gonna love it on that 844.  8-)

Fishtank,

How many is a few?

I agree that the Core is a nice reel, I've been using one since Christmas. Mine is very smooth, maybe yours needs another drop of oil somewhere. I do wish it had better line capacity.... as you mentioned casting it dry- since I use #14 & #17 XT, it's a real possibility and i see the holes in the spool on nearly every cast.

Have you used a 50MG? Other than looks, I haven't seen much difference in practical use between them. Both are very light, smooth, castable and have smooth drags... Maybe the 50MG was just ahead of it's time. ...lol

$70 to be exact and a little Shimano clothing bonus.  I had gone to great lengths to get the Premier to workout for me so I the owner of my local tackle shop cut me a good deal.  It's nice to get great service.  I could have all so picked up a Shimano Calais 201-5 or an older Team Daiwa Z105HL for an even exchange.  Both these reels were new and in the box.  He has just been unable to sell them (this store has made me a customer for life).

As far as the 50MG goes, I have fished it and it was a pretty good reel.  The one I fished had been well used by a buddy of mine.  The paint was mostly scratched off and the drag needed some work but other than that it worked great.  To compare it to the Core, I would say the Core casts better, has more power and has the over all feel of a better reel but these are marginal comparisons.  Is it worth the extra cash?  Maybe and maybe not.  Only time will tell.

Thank you for the review. I don't have one yet,

but am looking forward to purchasing a Core in

the very near future.

8-)

Go for it but you will need a Loomis BCR803 to go with it.  ;D

Thanks for the review. I have been sorely tempted to buy a Core, but like fletchero, for me, it would have to be exceptionally sweet to out perform a 50Mg. Work is slow and funds are tight, so I will have to be patient. RW can reinforce your enthusiasm when he gets one and I will probably have to give it a try.

Ronnie

The core is nice but i would consider the metanium mg7 over the core due to bearings in the handle , lighter and u could get them about 30 or so cheaper jmo   ;D

The core is nice but i would consider the metanium mg7 over the core due to bearings in the handle , lighter and u could get them about 30 or so cheaper jmo ;D

I think MG7 is missing Instage system as compared to Core..

I LOVE my Cores.  I also considered the Mg7, but I didn't want to settle for another boring silver reel that could be mistaken for an Mg50.  The good 'ol US of A definitely got the hotter reel of this release.  I wonder if their was a switchup at the factory  .  Anyway, handle bearings will run you under $20 if you want them, and you get a reel with a sweet paint job and red anodized spool.