Like
true JDM
rods
there is
no hook
hanger
The rod
weighed
in at
4.2oz
which is
reasonably
light,
but the
difference
in
weight
between
the
Steez
and
Zillion
rods is
instantly
noticeable
(the
average
Steez
rod
weighs
3.4oz).
This
causes
the
Steez
rods to
feel
even
more
sensitive
as even
the
slightest
ticks
cause
movement,
and when
it comes
to
combating
casting
fatigue
the
Steez
rods
simply
can’t be
beat.
The
air-foam
grips
are both
lightweight
and
sensitive
and held
up well
over the
last few
months.
In
general
these
foam
grips
will
stay
looking
newer
than
cork
over the
long
haul
with the
exception
of
damage
from
hook-points
which
can
inflict
injury
to the
cosmetics
of the
grips
though
they do
little
to alter
performance.
One last
cast as
the sun
sets on
our
field
test,
the
Daiwa
Zillion
rods
deliver
a nice
combination
of
features,
performance,
and
value
Price &
Applications:
The
Zillion
rod I
tested
retails
for 199
dollars,
and
other
rods in
the
series
range
from
this
price
point up
to 249
dollars
for the
swimbait
version.
This
puts the
series a
little
over 100
dollars
less
than the
standard
Steez
rods,
and less
than
half the
price of
the
premium
Compile
X
models.
The 199
dollar
price
point
puts it
right
into the
battleground
for
performance
and
entry
level
premium
rod
offerings,
and
actually
puts it
under
what
many of
the Tier
2 custom
rod
companies
are
asking
for
their
similarly
positioned
rods. So
attractive
is this
price
point
that
there is
no doubt
that
with the
performance
that the
Zillion
rod
series
offers
there
will
definitely
be some
cannibalization
of
Daiwa’s
own
Steez
series.
Though
most of
the
damage
will
surely
affect
the
competition,
and the
rod is
aimed
right at
Shimano’s
top end
Cumara
which is
similarly
priced.
Never
before
has it
been
cheaper
to buy a
rod that
exhibits
enthusiast
grade
features,
and with
so many
Zillion
reel
owners
already
out
there
the rod
is sure
to be a
hot
commodity
among
existing
fans of
the
series.
Daiwa
backs
the
Zillion
rod
series
up with
a
Limited
Lifetime
Warranty
which
will
cover
any rod
failures
as a
result
of
workmanship
issues.
When we
first
examined
the rod
we
questioned
the
durability
of the
Zaion
material
used in
the reel
seat but
after
torque
tests
the reel
seat did
not flex
or
shatter
under
significantly
more
force
than it
would
normally
endure
under
normal
fishing
circumstances.
Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):
|
Daiwa Zillion TDZL691MHXB
Ratings (?/10)
|
| Construction/Quality |
The
Zillion
is built
out of
quality
components
and
makes
use of
many of
the
design
concepts
and
materials
first
seen in
the
premium
Steez
series
as well
as
something
new with
the
Zaion
reel
seat |
8 |
| Performance |
Outstanding
overall
performance
in a
wide
range of
applications.
This rod
has a
very
fast
action
and
while I
found it
a bit
stiff at
first it
certainly
grew on
me as I
used it
to fish
a wide
range of
applications |
8 |
| Price |
Overall
a
reasonable
price
for such
a high
quality
stick |
7 |
| Features |
About
75% of
the
performance
and
features
of the
Steez
series
at about
half the
price! |
9 |
| Design (Ergonomics) |
The
Zaion
reel
seat may
look
like a
squid
but it
feels
great
and
offers
exceptional
access
to the
blank
while
remaining
solid
and
looking
rather
"enthusiast"
all at
the same
time.
Overall
the rod
is
reasonably
light as
well |
8 |
| Application |
This
stick
can is
ideal
for
fishing
contact
baits
but it
also was
able to
be used
as a
jerkbait
rod,
flipping
stick,
and even
light
swimbait
rod |
9 |
|
Total Score
|
8.16 |
Ratings Key:
1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus Minus
|
| J
Unique
new
components
like the
ergonomic
Zaion
reel
seat |
L
No hook
hanger
may
annoy
some
mainstream
anglers |
| J
Perfect
match
for the
Zillion
reels |
|
| J
Fills a
gap in
the
Daiwa
lineup |
|
| J
A lot of
Steez-like
performance
for a
much
lower
price |
|
Conclusion:
Daiwa brings “it”
with the new Zillion
rods, and when we
say “it” we mean the
complete package
which includes
quality,
performance, and
enthusiast appeal
all at a reasonable
price. The Steez
series whet the
appetites of
domestic anglers
looking for an
enthusiast class
offering, but the
high price point
continues to be a
major barrier for
the average angler.
The Zillion fills
that expansive gap
between the Steez
series and the rest
of the Daiwa rod
lineup.
This is a rod that
is positioned at the
mainstream to
premium price point,
and yet it offers
about three quarters
of the features and
performance as the
Steez rods but at
half the price
point, making this
rod a winner of our
Editor’s Choice
Award. Fans of
Daiwa’s Zillion
reels now have a
perfect rod to pair
their reels with,
and when it comes to
both balance and
style these two go
hand in hand.
Looking for a
TD Zillion Rod? Try
Tackle Warehouse.
