So, I've been drooling over a nice new Curado 201E7 for quite some time now. Lets say I could get a Chronarch 101BSV (old model if I'm not mistaken) on sale for $180ish. Would this be a better deal than a Curado E7 at around $150 or so? :-?

Most definately new reels are closing the gap in features and design the next in the scale model used to have. However and even the new Curado is close to the Chronarch it 's not a Chronarch.

I too have been eyeballing the new Curado and ended up with the old Chronarch B on sale. $180 for a reel that good is a killer deal no matter how you look at it.

Thanks Raul. Question for you - the grips on the "old" Chronarch, are they the same material as the Stradic's Septon handle grips? I do like that material for whatever reason.  

I compared the 2 also, and wound up with the Chronarch 101bpv..

Got the Chronarch 101B about 3 months ago for $199.99 at BPS on closeout.  A month or so later I was at the BPS store & noticed the price dropped another $30, so I brought my receipt to them & they gave me in store credit that amount...not bad!

I have both the reels you're asking about & both are very nice.  

I wish I had a Cabelas or a Bass Pro in the area so I could maybe hunt for some deals. Most of the "local" shops only drop their prices on old stock when they're going out of business. : I found a Curado D for $130 at Sports Authority, but I think I either want one of the new models, or a higher end "oldie". I guess I could check out Dick's, but their selection is usually pretty bad. I knew I should have picked something up back in April...a local shop had their annual spring sale and had 15% off reels, if I'm not mistaken. If only I had the money then... :-/

I wish I had a Cabelas or a Bass Pro in the area so I could maybe hunt for some deals. Most of the "local" shops only drop their prices on old stock when they're going out of business. : I found a Curado D for $130 at Sports Authority, but I think I either want one of the new models, or a higher end "oldie". I guess I could check out Dick's, but their selection is usually pretty bad. I knew I should have picked something up back in April...a local shop had their annual spring sale and had 15% off reels, if I'm not mistaken. If only I had the money then... :-/

My man, you don 't need to have a BPS or Cabela 's store nearby to get some deals, the closest BPS to me in mileage is San Antonio TX, that 's a 14 hour drive, the closest two BPS to me in time are either Dallas ( Grapevine ) TX or Katy ( Houston ) TX, that 's a 2 hour flight for me. All you need to do is what we tackleholics do: BROWSE the net in the look for deals, places like *** has daily specials and free shipping in orders over 50 bones, you want a Chronarch BPV ? TW has them on clearance now for around $180, want a Fuego or a Sol ? BPS has a $ 30 rebate on them you can get either for 200.

Back on the subject, yes BA the Chronarch has Septon grips.

TW has the BSV for 186 + 15% off July 4th sale.  Final price = 158.85 and free shipping.

TW has the BSV for 186 + 15% off July 4th sale. Final price = 158.85 and free shipping.

*** is where I got the 180ish quote for the Chronarch. I just got the 15% email and I'm so happy right now! I was close to pulling the trigger last night.  ;D 8-)

Yeah, that 's the problem with them danged "deals", you can get broke purty darn fast "saving"  

I do believe this would be a suitable upgrade from my "only the good Lord knows how old" Shimano Coriolis.  ;D

I think I actually might go with the Curado. TW finally got the lefty in stock, and it IS a bit lighter than the Chronarch. :-? Either way, I really can't go wrong. ;D

Edit: Yea...I went with the Curado. I really liked the way it felt when I checked it out last time, and 2 ounces is 2 ounces. Either way, a big upgrade from my current casting reel! Now my Crucial will have a suitable companion.  ;D

Both the Curado E and the Chronarch B are excellent reels; however, I don't think the Curado E comes close to the overall performance of the Chronarch B.

Size, weight, and how it felt are what it came down to. The Curado is smaller, lighter, and I liked how it felt. Like I said before though, going from an old Coriolis to either is a HUGE upgrade.

If the Chronarch was a little smaller, I probably would have.