Daiwa Japan Alphas SV Low Profile Baitcasting Reel Product Review

Enthusiast Review

Daiwa's Beloved Alphas Gets Another Variant - SV

Date:	7/7/15
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Daiwa Japan
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.14 - GREAT

Introduction: Since its introduction more than a decade ago, Daiwa Japan's Alphas platform has been a favorite amongst Enthusiasts worldwide. Yet the original Petite Purple Powerhouse was discontinued only after a couple of years on the market in favor of the Alphas F, Finesse Custom, R-Edition, among other variants. Domestically, the Sol was a stripped down version of the original Alphas. None had the same allure as the original. Then much to the delight of fans everywhere, Daiwa Japan brought the original back for a year or two, but by then the magic was lost and again it was discontinued.

Introducing Daiwa Japan's Alphas SV 105.

Yet the platform is still alive. This year, Daiwa Japan has taken the very popular SV spool design from their SS SV baitcasting reel, incorporated it into the Alphas platform, and have introduced the brand new Alphas SV. Does this reel have the same magic or even surpass that of the original? We procured one from Japan to find out!

Daiwa Alphas SV 105SH/L Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	10lb / 90yds
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	9.2 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	5.8:1	7.2:1
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	16.5"-24"	20.5"-29.5"
Weight	6.1 oz
Spool Weight	14 g
Handle Length	80 mm
Bearings	6+1 (4 CRBB's)
Bearings per Knob	2 Bearings
Levelwind Bearings	1 Bushing
Tested Max Drag	~11.5 lbs
Origin	Made in Japan
MSRP	$250

The Alphas SV comes with a two tone paint scheme.

Quality/Construction: Daiwa's Alphas SV comes with a two tone paint scheme. The sideplates are finished in a metallic charcoal grey while the frame is sophisticated silver. Frame and sideplate tolerances are spot on with zero backplay in the handle but a small into and away from the reel play in both the handle and knobs.

Quality Ratings for Daiwa Alphas SV 105SH/L
Finish (1-5)	Frame & Sideplate Tolerance (1-5)	Handle Tolerance (1-5)	Knob Tolerance (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	5	4	4	18	20	9.0

Performance: The Alphas SV was just released in Japan this past spring so we've only had it for a short time. Nonetheless, this reel has seen action on Lake Powell, AZ and Clear Lake, CA.

It is part of one of the more beloved platforms in Daiwa's bass fishing lineup.

Retrieve: There's a certain, solid feeling you get or at least notice from an aluminum framed reel after fishing reels made from magnesium and carbon alloys. It's a sensation that is very consistent throughout the Alphas/Sol platforms and one reason why they've been so popular amongst fans. The Alphas SV shares in this smooth, solid feel with each crank of the handle.

Retrieve experience is smooth thanks to brass gears.

Performance Ratings for Daiwa Alphas SV 105SH/L
Retrieve (1-5)	Drag (1-5)	Power (1-5)	Casting Range (1-5)	Brakes (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	4	5	4	21	25	8.4

The reel's drag stack is quite extensive.

Drag: The Alphas SV's drag tested out surprisingly strong on The Machine. As you can see in the matrix below, Max drag was right up around eleven pounds, but very erratic, as expected at full lockdown. At lower settings, the drag performed relatively smooth and consistently.

Sweet Drag Performance for Daiwa Alphas SV 105SH/L (#.# Turns to Lockdown)
	Lock - 8	Lock - 6	Lock - 4	Lock - 2	Lockdown	Avg % Change
Start Up	1.0	1.6	2.2	4.8	9.4
Sustained	1.0	1.6	2.3	4.9	10.2
Lowest Value	0.7	1.3	1.9	4.3	8.6
Change in Startup vs Sustained	2.5%	4.7%	6.7%	2.8%	9.2%	5.2%
Biggest Drop from Sustained	27.7%	18.6%	18.3%	13.4%	16.5%	18.9
Drag on this reel was tested with the dragstar fully tightened. Then with each successive test, the drag was backed off with two short pushes of the dragstar with our thumb.

Out on the water, the Alphas SV's drag was more than sufficient to battle some of the schoolie sized striper on Lake Powell. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful at coaxing any bass of significance on Clear Lake to double, but overall, I was pleased with the Alphas SV's drag performance.

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