Complete with a Prize Inside the Cereal Box : Abu Garcia's REVO EXD

Total Score: 8.17 - GREAT

Introduction: Once upon a time, Abu Garcia introduced their new take on a low profile baitcasting reel. They called it, Revo. No doubt short for revolution because that reel revolutionized the way we thought of Abu Garcia and the utility and accessibility of a quality low profile baitcasting reel. I'll never forget JIP's revelation when testing Gen 1 STX's max drag at twenty four (24) pounds of pressure. It literally blew our collective minds.

New for 2020 is yet another REVO variant from Abu Garcia, the EXD

That was circa 2006 when there were roughly 4 models, S, SX, STX, and maybe Premier? I could be wrong. I didn't start fishing the Revos myself until Gen 2 or 3, but through the years, Abu Garcia slowly introduced more to the family including Winch, Inshore, Toro, Beast, MGX, MGXtreme, Toro Beast, Rocket, X, the list goes on. Even though I've fished most of them, there are certainly more Revo variants now, than I can keep straight.

The big news with this REVO is its TWO SPOOLS!

Abu Garcia not only revolutionized the way we, as consumers, thought about low profile baitcasting reels at the time. They really spearheaded the idea of manufacturers offering the same basic frame size and shape in all their reels, but changing the guts to define a new line within a family of reels. Before that, each model offered by the same manufacturer had different ergonomics. Of course, some still practice this approach, but from a manufacturing perspective, homogenizing frame size and shape can really help with cost.

The standard spool has the same capacity as the other REVOs and the shallow spool holds roughly 30% less line

Now, in the midst of Generation 4, Abu Garcia has really hit a comfortable stride, and they demonstrate this by stretching out Revo families with variants within variants. "Rocket" isn't just its own stand alone, super fast retrieve reel, but it's used to designate a super fast Revo - case in point, the Rocket Beast. "Beast" is used to describe an upsized reel with more robust guts and greater line capacity (e.g. Beast X). They also do this with "Winch." It's probably only a matter of time before we get a REVO IKE ROCKET TORO BEAST MGX - an oversized, purple, super robust, fast, reel with a super light spool.

Let's take a closer look
 

Abu Garcia really offers a Revo to fit every need and just when I thought they had explored every possible variant, 2020 sees a brand new REVO platform. This little reel has "enthusiast" written all over it without being overbearing. Yet, there is one feature of this reel that does push it over the top. Can you recall ever purchasing a low profile casting reel that came with its own spare, shallow spool? Well, now you can. Introducing Abu Garcia's Revo EXD.

Impressions: Abu Garcia's Revo EXD looks like just about every other Revo, Gen 4 reel, except it's not. It is built with an X-Craftic alloy frame and C6 carbon side plates, features carbon fiber pattern accents around the gear case, has a nice, long ninety millimeter, swept carbon handle, and purple highlights at the dragstar, cast control knob, knob caps, handle nut retainer, and spool. And yes, it comes with two spools, a standard, mid-depth spool for general purpose work, and a shallow spool for light line applications.

Can't get enough of the anodized purple highlights

Though the Revo EXD has a metal alloy frame, the feel of those C6 carbon side plates standout making it feel as if the reel is made entirely of composite carbon when you handle it. The Revo EXD comes with the company's somewhat standard contoured, foam knobs.

My combo of the year... REVO EXD + Phenix M1 MX72MH