picked one of these up the other day,this thing is unbeleivably smooth, the drag is micro adjustable and sealed water proof,zero vibration from the rotor,infinite anti-reverse,the bail is over sized and trips smooth as butter,unique folding handle,zero play at the crank/handle bearing.the unit is all aluminum wich makes it rock solid,has a service port for lubing .from my local reel repair shop,it has the same powertrain as the Steez.

I looked at one a couple weeks ago and the main reason I didn't buy it was the "unique folding handle". It just looked and felt cheap to me, especially at the Certate's price.

I know the handle can be replaced with a RCS machine-cut version, but adding another $150 to the price of the reel made it even less attractive to me.  ;D

I bought the smaller model the CT2000 & then picked up another one the CT2500 for more line capacity. They are great reels especially when picked up on sale for $200. I personally did not perceive a difference between mine & my buddies older model stella. Very smooth reeling with exceptional smooth drags.

I looked at one a couple weeks ago and the main reason I didn't buy it was the "unique folding handle". It just looked and felt cheap to me, especially at the Certate's price.

I know the handle can be replaced with a RCS machine-cut version, but adding another $150 to the price of the reel made it even less attractive to me. ;D

$150.00 for RCS?  They're on sale for $50.00 @ Tackle Warehouse.  They only run about $90.00 retail.

He may be referring to the I'ZE Factory handles from Japan.

I aint finding no handle on ***

Im pretty sure *** doesnt have them any longer, but Japantackle.com does.Thats where i got the cork knob for mine the handles run about $104.

$150.00 for RCS? They're on sale for $50.00 @ Tackle Warehouse. They only run about $90.00 retail.

If you google "RCS machine cut handle" the very first link to come up (eastackle.com) shows lists them @ $150. I didn't realize that price was actually SGD (Singapore dollars). However, in USD their price is still $118.

$318 is almost exactly what it would cost me for two of the new Pflueger Supreme XT at BPs, including tax. Having handle both side-by-side, the Certate is not any smoother and I believe the Supreme XT to be lighter as well. Being JDM doesn't automatically make it "better".

As I said earlier, dollar for dollar, the Certate didn't feel like it was worth the money to me. But, if you own one and are happy with its price, performance, and weight, that's cool too.

Somebody help me understand what the big deal about the handle is. I have a Certate and a Stella, and the handles seem fine on both. Same with my JDM Caldis. What does a different handle do for the fishing ability of these reels?