As much as I love the Reel Wars on this forum, I am unaware of a bad baitcaster that costs over $100+.  Are there any true lemons out there in this price range?

personal prefrence i guess.  But i have had many issues with anything quantum. 

All of the Ardent reels I've ever used have felt like complete junk.  Heavy and they really aren't all that smooth.  I won't be buying one of those in the foreseeable future.

I've got to second the Ardent. I don't have a lot of experience as I've only owned an XS600, but it was worth nowhere near the $200 price tag. In my experience, the reel was smooth enough and casted pretty well, but it really felt cheap. It was also HUGE. It sat up way too high on the seat as well. Not comfortable to fish. It was just a bad experience overall. Luckily, I got a really good price on a new one, used it a few times, and sold it for about a $5 profit!

i have never used an ardent but they look dated, like from early 90s or late 80s

It's all going to be personal preference and based soley on personal experience, for the most part at least.  I personally have never had any trouble with any of my quantums, I have 3 right now but I've had more.  The one reel that really left a bad taste in my mouth was the Revo S, I actually had two and both were complete garbage.  They both felt tight, grindy, couldn't cast anything under 1/2oz with any real distance without overrun.  I really wanted to like them, that's why I bought a second, hoping I got a dud....nope....the second one was just as bad and the cap thing on the palm side fell off and into the drink the second time out with it.  Now I have a '10 SX and '09 Premier, no problem with them, extremely smooth and really nice reels but the Revo S?....I'll take my Quantum Code over it anyday.

i have never used an ardent but they look dated, like from early 90s or late 80s

that's what I see when I think of an XS

Now I have a '10 SX and '09 Premier, no problem with them, extremely smooth and really nice reels but the Revo S?....I'll take my Quantum Code over it anyday.

If you'll take a Code over the Revo, then that Revo S must be really bad. I had a Code not too long ago that was mostly used as a loaner, but I used it myself occasionally as well as my "other" setup that I would put whatever crazy bait I thought I wanted to try on it. After about 3 or 4 straight outings of having nothing but trouble out of it, I just got so mad at it that I didn't want it near me anymore and sold it. I think I let it go for like 30 bucks. If the Revo S is that bad, then no wonder Dick's sold them for $50 with a rod included!

Never had any trouble with Revo S's, Quantum Accurist PT's, Shimano Citica's and Curado's, reels I didn't not like over $100 Daiwa Tierra, Advantage, and Fuego, and the older Revo SX, and STX with mag brakes..............I guess I am not a mag break guy. Funny thing is I have had some sub $100 Daiwa reels with mag brakes (Capricorn, Procasters, and Exceler's) and I liked them ALL better than the higher end Daiwa's.

I wouldn't buy a reel other Shimano or Daiwa if that tells you anything. I want the best for my money and I feel that those two are the best. Quantum has always felt like junk, it seems like Ardent doesn't even take looks into consideration, probably will never own an Okuma either.

If someone gave me one or a company asked me to use it I would, and I would give it a non-biased review. Other than that I'll stick with Shimano and Daiwa.

On the other hand I had a bad experience with an Abu, but have heard great things about the STX and will probably get one of those next.

What's everyone's deal with Quantum? The reels I have used have been great, both spinning and casting.

The Catalyst is a great reel IMO.

I don't know what was up with the Revos that I had, alot of people like them, I do not.  I have had my code for about 4 years and it gets very little use now but I do use it, and haven't had any major problems out of it, just regular cleanings and it preforms wonderfully. 

What's everyone's deal with Quantum? The reels I have used have been great, both spinning and casting.

The Catalyst is a great reel IMO.

My primary reels for spinning are quantum 2 catalyst A&B and a kinetic and no problems out of either. My casting reels are primarily Daiwa and Quantum and no problems from them either.

I like my quantums even the older heavier Energy Pt casting models as they haven't failed me.

What's everyone's deal with Quantum? The reels I have used have been great, both spinning and casting.

The Catalyst is a great reel IMO.

I am sure a lot of their reels are just fine- the two bc's I have had both had some major mechanical issues, so I tend to think as quantum as sub par now.   In the price range stated as well, I believe there better performing reels albeit even if it were a perfectly tuned quantum, which i believe mine did start out as.   

x4 Ardent. Never bought one based on looks and feel.

What's everyone's deal with Quantum? The reels I have used have been great, both spinning and casting.

The Catalyst is a great reel IMO.

Iv'e had several quantums older models mid 90s and have had problems trying to have repaired, no longer parts available

I wouldn't buy a reel other Shimano or Daiwa if that tells you anything. I want the best for my money and I feel that those two are the best. Quantum has always felt like junk, it seems like Ardent doesn't even take looks into consideration, probably will never own an Okuma either.

If someone gave me one or a company asked me to use it I would, and I would give it a non-biased review. Other than that I'll stick with Shimano and Daiwa.

On the other hand I had a bad experience with an Abu, but have heard great things about the STX and will probably get one of those next.

SO which is it?? :

What's everyone's deal with Quantum? The reels I have used have been great, both spinning and casting.

The Catalyst is a great reel IMO.

I am sure a lot of their reels are just fine- the two bc's I have had both had some major mechanical issues, so I tend to think as quantum as sub par now. In the price range stated as well, I believe there better performing reels albeit even if it were a perfectly tuned quantum, which i believe mine did start out as.

I have an older energy and accurist and both have served me well even though majority of the complaints I have seen have been about the weight. I agree a sub par performing reel can turn u off as my experience with Shimano spinning reels turned me off to them.

What's everyone's deal with Quantum? The reels I have used have been great, both spinning and casting.

The Catalyst is a great reel IMO.

Iv'e had several quantums older models mid 90s and have had problems trying to have repaired, no longer parts available

I don't think it's really fair to base your opinion on a company on reels that were made 15 years ago. Just sayin.

What's everyone's deal with Quantum? The reels I have used have been great, both spinning and casting.

The Catalyst is a great reel IMO.

Iv'e had several quantums older models mid 90s and have had problems trying to have repaired, no longer parts available

I don't think it's really fair to base your opinion on a company on reels that were made 15 years ago. Just sayin.

I swore Shimano off in the pre-green curado days, came back to them when they introduced the D series Citica/Curado. Glad I did. Not many people liked the D reels , but I love them.

The curado 100d was/is an awesome reel.  I have two and I also have a new curado 200e7.  I fish the 100d everytime on the water and only use the 200e7 for buzzbaits.  If I had to sell one it would be the 200e7.

They both are good reels but I have several Chronarch 50MG's and the 100d is the same size so the feel stays the same when switching back and forth.  Plus the 100d has aluminum sideplates instead of graphite like the new ones do.

Tica baitcaster....I practically gave it away.

I've had 2 Quantum baitcasters and had issues with both...heavy, noisy, hard to cast lighter baits.  Likely will never own another one.  Also had problems with 2 pre 2010 REVO Premiers...wound up giving them both away as I didn't feel right about taking money for them.  Now I have all REVO STX's and they have been absolutely trouble free.

I swore Shimano off in the pre-green curado days, came back to them when they introduced the D series Citica/Curado. Glad I did. Not many people liked the D reels , but I love them.