I can pick up either at the same price new, but which one? The Abu has an extruded aluminum frame and more bearings. The other is a Shimano and some may not be able to give an honest answer. So putting product loyalty aside, which one?

They're both good reels, you won't go wrong choosing either one.

I've owned both, two of each.

The Cardiffs were decent reels, but they cast about like my Abu Garcia C4s. Good, but not spectacular with light lures. They seemed well built, though. But did not offer any improvement over my C4s.

The EXT Pros are great casters, even with light lures. Mine would cast with my Revos. They are a little finiky to get set up, though, needing a little more spool tension and a little less brake than most reels with magnetic brakes. Once you do, they'll throw a light bait a long distance. They also have strong drags. Very nice reels. They also have a strong kinship to the storied Abu Morrum. They aren't Morrums, but they are certainly cousins and while they aren't built exactly like Morrums, they don't cost way over $300 either, and they are smooth. The MSRP of for the EXT Pro was $175. They are on sale at Tackle Warehouse for like $99. That's a killer price for a great reel.

The other is a Shimano and some may not be able to give an honest answer.

;D   Thank you!  (no kidding)

Micro,

does the Abu have a recessed foot? Do they both sit at the same height on the rod?

The EXT's reel foot is recessed.  They sit about the same height on the rod.  You can see the recessed foot in Tackle Warehouse's picture...

http://www.***.com/descpageRLCABUGAR-AGEXP.html

Thanks, I took a look at the pic and want one!!!  

10 oz.?  

they're not really even comparable. the EXT is much closer to the calcutta than the cardiff. i've had cardiffs and liked them very much but if you can get the EXT at a cardiff price, that's a deal. the only downer is the limited line capacity of the EXT that's on sale at TW but, if that's all you need, it's a no brainer.

I see you changed the title of the post.  The reason Shimano is loosing is because almost no one knows about the EXT Pro.  I've only run across a few people that have tried them, much less own them.   So unless you know them both, its hard to judge, and hard to vote.

I suspect the EXT Pro will be dropped by Abu Garcia in the future, if it hasn't already.  As good as it is, it just hasn't sold well.

Micro is the mag brakes the same as the stx, and does it have a 6 pin brake system or none at all like the mag revos?????

FWIW I picked mine up for 85 bucks shipped, taxes and insurance included.

Redneck, the ad says magnetic braking system, whether or not it is the same as stx I have no idea.

A little heads up there are several Garcia's on ebay now, the last ones out of sweden for 50-80 depending on model, they are all half price. I dont know anything about the reels so I'm have no idea if the deals are good. I will say that the reels from Simmons sporting goods on ebay are all 1st quality and brand new. Thanks for the info.

I had changed the name to try to get some of the Shimano Possee to let me know what they thought.

Micro is the mag brakes the same as the stx, and does it have a 6 pin brake system or none at all like the mag revos?????

Like the Revo's.

As good as it is, it just hasn't sold well.

Who wants a big clunky reel that looks like it came straight from the 1950's?  

As good as it is, it just hasn't sold well.

Who wants a big clunky reel that looks like it came straight from the 1950's?

I agree, that's another reason to choose the EXT.  I hadn't really thought of that.