Is the drag star on the 50e painted alloy or is it plastic?

If it's plastic, would a 200e drag star fit?

Yes it is plastic.

Yes it does fit, but you should get the drag nut from the 200e as well.

I haven't done it yet and don't know how much it costs (or if it's worth it)  but if you do could you let me know how much it costs.  Thanks

That's what I was afraid of.  :-/

There's not much difference in price between the two, but if I have to buy a drag star and nut for the 50e, the e7 definitely starts looking better and better...

After handling a 50e this morning, I definitely won't be buying one. Lots of slop in the handle, noticeable "gear-y" feeling, and it's really not much smaller than the 200. Not impressed, especially at a higher price than the 200.  :

In case you haven't, make sure you handle several, particularly out of the box so you have a good sample size.

If it was a demo model out on display.....that probably isn't the best example to base your opinion.  Just about all the display reels at Bass Pro are whipped.  Its painful to see that Calcutta 50 GT be beat to death by people that couldn't even cast one if they tried, LOL.

If it was a demo model out on display.....that probably isn't the best example to base your opinion. Just about all the display reels at Bass Pro are whipped. Its painful to see that Calcutta 50 GT be beat to death by people that couldn't even cast one if they tried, LOL.

While I can see what you're saying, and normally I would agree, my 2 year old 200e7 has less slop in the handle than that 50e. Of the reels in its price range, only the Ardents felt worse.

Heck, even the $99 W&M Skeet Reese reel felt smoother and more "solid". I don't care how much abuse it has seen, that's just sad. 

I have a few 200s and a 50 and really like the 50.  Mine feels like a much more tuned reel, it feels like it just meshes well.  Having smaller hands, I find the profile very comfortable, I can actually get my fingers around it.  I love how low the 200 is but it us wide, good spool access though.  I actually got mine for less than a 200 usually goes for on eBay, $145, and couldn't be happier with it.

If it was a demo model out on display.....that probably isn't the best example to base your opinion. Just about all the display reels at Bass Pro are whipped. Its painful to see that Calcutta 50 GT be beat to death by people that couldn't even cast one if they tried, LOL.

While I can see what you're saying, and normally I would agree, my 2 year old 200e7 has less slop in the handle than that 50e. Of the reels in its price range, only the Ardents felt worse.

Heck, even the $99 W&M Skeet Reese reel felt smoother and more "solid". I don't care how much abuse it has seen, that's just sad.

Someone probably broke it then.  Your description doesn't even come close to what I've experienced.  Granted, I've only wroked with a half dozen of them since they came out.  They are a nicer reel than the 200 series, to me.

That's entirely possible. The one I handled felt like...well, a cheap piece of crap.  :-/

I'll be back there in a few days, so I'll have one of the guys take a couple out of the boxes so I can check them out.

I own 2 and think you should give it a second chance as well!

Jeff

It's a poor man's Core 50mg7.

I couldnt tell a difference in quality between the 50 on display and the 200's I purchased.  However, I am admittedly not a reel guru and don't take into account all of the little things that might make one better than the other.  My assesment was based purely on smootheness and "play" in the reel.