Amazing, Garcia has Pflueger as a partner in the Pure fishing empire, I don't understand why they're not going with the more tried and true Centrifugal braking system or even the mag brakes Pflueger uses on most of their reels. Those garcia brakes are chintzy. When you lock the the pins down they never really feel like they've locked into place.

I agree. I own a Revo S and the centrifugals are horrible. That is one of the reasons why it doesn't get a spot in my boat anymore. It's been replaced by a Ci200E.

I've heard several speak of the cheap brakes on the s model, but has anyone ever had them give up the ghost. I haven't. :-/

BTW, I know this went a little off topic, but congrats on the luv bug hittin' ya!

Again guys I'm amazed.  From the day that I started fishing my SX or STX I've set the brake where I could cast effciently.  By effciently I mean 10-20 yards further than my Curado's and haven't touched them since.  I respect RW and haved fished with The Natural and would consder both better than me, but can't figure out how they have trouble from these reels.  I just don't understand how some guys can have such problems and it be just like anyother reel to others.

I think its more than just "its not as good" as "just different". I've always loved Chevy trucks, I bought a Ford. the longer I have it the more things I found I didn't like about the Chevy but some things I found I missed in the Ford.

the hard part is admitting each excel in different ways, and both are good products. Some will always refuse to do this. I fish both Shimano and Revo's and there are things Both lack and could gain from each other.

I feel that Abu has respectfully put out a reel that can not only hold its own against the mainstream low profile baitcasters but has actually gone up against the legend and still has a dog in the fight. although this may upset some people they still have to respond to posts like this reminding them that its is a viable topic. The real question is what Abu is going to do? are they going to continue with this technology and repackage it or will they advance it and fix their few short comings, Cheaper centrifugal brake, free spool over run causing high brake setting on the SX & STX equaling shorter casts? Will Shamano give us a little more for the cash? Throw in a handle with bearings? Take up the side play in the spool for a tighter feel or new color?

If both companies did all of this we would still have this discussion,Regardless of who is ahead and by how far, you must admit there still is a race.

Again guys I'm amazed. From the day that I started fishing my SX or STX I've set the brake where I could cast effciently. By effciently I mean 10-20 yards further than my Curado's and haven't touched them since. I respect RW and haved fished with The Natural and would consder both better than me, but can't figure out how they have trouble from these reels. I just don't understand how some guys can have such problems and it be just like anyother reel to others.

The magnetic brakes were just touchy for me; I think like anything it is just a matter of getting used to them. I bought my first Shimano in '04...a Chronarch 100a, and even though I had used a baitcaster for years....the centrifugal brakes were new to me and I backlashed like a mofo. It took several all-day trips to the lake before I got mastered it. I didn't give my Revo that kind of time....

The Natural,

Thats what I can't believe from my experience(and I stress that).  From the day I got my first SX I took about 20 minutes to find where it worked for me and set everyone since up the same way and have never looked back.  I don't consider myself an expert and had no problem mastering these reels.  Therefore, I'm preplexed when people more experienced than I have trouble.

The Natural,

Thats what I can't believe from my experience(and I stress that). From the day I got my first SX I took about 20 minutes to find where it worked for me and set everyone since up the same way and have never looked back. I don't consider myself an expert and had no problem mastering these reels. Therefore, I'm preplexed when people more experienced than I have trouble.

Well, you weren't backlashing much when we fished in that horrid wind, and I totally ruined one of my reels .  I thought "Dam...I just met this dude and now I have the worst backlash in years".  It was awesome.    I think this proves what works for one may not work for another.  There are plenty of folks who swear by the Revo's magnetic brakes.  I probably gave up to early.

I think its more than just "its not as good" as "just different". I've always loved Chevy trucks, I bought a Ford. the longer I have it the more things I found I didn't like about the Chevy but some things I found I missed in the Ford.

the hard part is admitting each excel in different ways, and both are good products. Some will always refuse to do this. I fish both Shimano and Revo's and there are things Both lack and could gain from each other.

I feel that Abu has respectfully put out a reel that can not only hold its own against the mainstream low profile baitcasters but has actually gone up against the legend and still has a dog in the fight. although this may upset some people they still have to respond to posts like this reminding them that its is a viable topic. The real question is what Abu is going to do? are they going to continue with this technology and repackage it or will they advance it and fix their few short comings, Cheaper centrifugal brake, free spool over run causing high brake setting on the SX & STX equaling shorter casts? Will Shamano give us a little more for the cash? Throw in a handle with bearings? Take up the side play in the spool for a tighter feel or new color?

If both companies did all of this we would still have this discussion,Regardless of who is ahead and by how far, you must admit there still is a race.

I've been a Garcia user for nearly 35 years but let's face it, up until the Revo, their selection of LP style reels has been a joke.

Garcia was one of the first with mag braking in the early 80's. Their system was in use on their LP reels for many years and the mag braking on the pfluegers and BPS line of reels is merely a variation of that same design. For some reason though, they failed to put it on these reels and instead, went with this linear mag brake.

That linear mag brake isn't new. It was previously used on the 4007LP, a reel that had only the mag brake AND NO SPOOL TENSION ADJUSTMENT! The spool tension was built into the linear mag brake assy. What a joke.

The point? If you're going to put out a REVOlutionary reel, go with the best you've got. If the reel is to have only mag braking then it better be good. The linear mag brake isn't.

I fished 2 tournaments last Aug/Sept that both turned out to be rather windy. I had also picked up a couple of Johnny Morris Sig reels to try out. Dual braking aside. The centrifugal braking on those reels was more reliable and consistent that the SX or STX's. Heck, even my Revo S reels were more consistant casters. (I still own 2 S reels) As the days went on I found myself wondering why I was messing with the SX and STX reels along with the overruns.  It wasn't worth it.

I've since switched to Pflueger Patriarchs. The reels are nearly identical to SX or STX on the crankplate side, they're completely different on the palm side. Garcia should look to that reel to improve theirs.

Cart, you should have just learned to cast your Revo, like almost everyone else has. "Advancing" their technology to adopt the brake system in the Pfluegers or BPS reels will might mean fewer backlashes for the un-practiced, but it will mean less performance, too.

Speedworm, you went from a Revo S to a Citica 200E because of the brake? Have you opened the Citica and looked at the brake?

Cart, you should have just learned to cast your Revo, like almost everyone else has. "Advancing" their technology to adopt the brake system in the Pfluegers or BPS reels will might mean fewer backlashes for the un-practiced, but it will mean less performance, too.

Speedworm, you went from a Revo S to a Citica 200E because of the brake? Have you opened the Citica and looked at the brake?

That was probably the main reason. Adjusting the centrifugals in my Revo S is a horrible pain. They don't click as easily as the Citica brakes do. However, the solid feel that the S has the Citica misses. I asked Bantam a while ago about the sideplate play and he told my I was crazy .. there is no play. But I can feel it! It takes a 5 lb fish to make the reel feel like it's going to come apart in my hands.

I will most likely end up selling this Citica 200E that I've only had for a few months and getting a new STX. 50 dollars, any takers?

I have been fishing with casting reels for over 50 years. Once I get the brakes set where I want them I never touch them again, all of the fine tuning is done with the tension knob for the spool. I have never used a casting reel I could not master. I own as many Curados as I do Revos, but I have not used the Curados since I started to use the Revos. By the way, I liked the 100 Curado much better than the 200.