I alway read how alot of you ask which cranking reel to get so maybe this will help..

and the winner is ... and it dosnt surpise me ;D

http://www.tackletour.com/review2010lowspeedfinal.html

why does it not surprise you?

I've used all those reels, except the Quantum, and I wouldn't crank with them.  Too slow.  I use a Daiwa Sol.

The fact is in the tests they performed they pick which reel works best for them. Look at what they judge smooth feel of the drag, ease of casting. What works for them must not be what works for me. I have no doubt that all these reel companies are producing excellent products but many times they get a bad review because alot of it is the testers opinion. Now if they did a review on the reel holding up after heavy fishing for 6 months or how well they held up if abused and not maintained. This would be good info on how well the product is constructed. I have reels from all these manufacturers and a few more. My favorite by far for any purpose is a Daiwa Zillion. I don't have big hands so the feel of the small frame of the Zillion just feels better. I think some people put way too much into reviews. The only way you will ever know what works for you is demo all of them before you buy. I didn't the last time I bought a reel because I liked the way it looked and felt in the store so I bought 3 Revo SKT's. I have used them maybe 3 times then cleaned them up and put them back in the boxes. They now sit unused on my tackle shelf. Try before you buy. Trust me.

i think its more personal preference ya sure those reviews help when buying buy you cant decide until you have the reel in your hand