Tackle Tour has their evaluation of the Curado G5 available now.

TT's review reafirms my initial take on this which is that the G series is not a dog as much as the E series set the bar really high by encroaching on the previous Chronarch. At the end of the day Shimano fans still have a line of quality reels at various price point ot choose from.

I finally got one in my hands the other day and will say the same. The reel is solid and smooth. The E series was just more refined.

The biggest different in the E and G is the Frame. The G-series in the curado lost two bearing. These were in the handles and not in the reel. The G- series lost .4 oz in weight. The G's all have 3 gear ratios. The E curado had 7.0:1 and 5.0:1. The E citica had 6.3:1. The G series now has 7.0:1, 6.5:1, and 5.5:1 in both curado and citica. The G curados are $20 cheaper than the E curados. The G citicas are $10 more than E citicas.

After playing with one in the store I thought it was a smooth and solid reel. Personally I like the reel. I think bad press by word of mouth by those who dont own it or havent had one it their hand may doom it.