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Not
just “Smoke” and Mirrors, possibly the best Quantum Baitcaster yet?
(continued)
One gripe with
competing reels is that some manufacturers only invest in the tooling to make
the right handed version of their reels. Right handed reels still make up the
lion’s share of the market but there are many anglers that prefer left hand
retrieve for certain applications. Quantum has released all but one (the 5.3:1
low speed) in both right and left handed retrieve models. While many
manufacturers will only introduce left hand retrieve models only after a reel
has a proven run rate Quantum covers all anglers right out of the gate.
There are only four settings on
this system and "free" really means FREE
Price and
Applications:
The Smoke reels retail for $199.99 for the standard 100 class reels and 19
dollars more for the higher capacity 150 class reels. This positions the reels
right above the Energy PT V1 reels which retail for $189 and below the Energy PT
SS reels which retail for $229. It is somewhat an odd positioning for these
reels in that I feel like in many ways the weight reduction should garner a
higher price point versus in the product line (the higher cost Energy PT SS has
the same basic profile yet weighs 8.5oz. for example). Because the Smoke reels
are available in three retrieve ratios and two different line capacities they
should satisfy the full range of bass applications and can even be used for
larger species. The aluminum frame also makes this a better choice for saltwater
environments like inshore fishing than other magnesium based ultralight reels.
We were impressed with the
materials and quality of the implementation on the Smoke reels
The primary
competition comes from the Shimano Curado 50 E which retails for the same price
but weighs slightly more at 6.9oz., for those anglers that require more capacity
the standard Curado 200 E reels are slightly more affordable at $179.99 but
weigh in at 7.6oz. and make use of more composite aluminum material than the
Smoke reels. The only other reels that can touch this weight class with an
aluminum frame is the Revo Premier (6.7oz.) which is an excellent reel but
retails for $279 dollars and the slightly more affordable Pflueger Patriarch XT
which weighs in at 6.8oz. and is $249 dollars. Of all these reels the Quantum
Smoke is the best overall value when you consider the materials used within the
construction, feature-set and low price.
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):
|
Quantum
PT
Smoke
100
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Excellent
use of
aluminum
construction
throughout.
No use
of
cheaper
grade
graphite
materials,
this
reel
looks
and
feels
solid.
Aggressive
porting
is as
functional
as it is
stylish |
9 |
|
Performance |
besides
a little
play in
the
handle
this
reel
performs
well in
all
categories.
The reel
exhibits
a very
smooth
retrieve
and the
drag
delivers |
8.5 |
|
Price |
A very
reasonable
price
that is
better
than the
competition
when it
comes to
ultra-lightweight
aluminum
reels |
9 |
|
Features |
Plenty
of
features
throughout
including
aggressive
porting,
custom
bearings,
ceramic
components,
ergonomic
eva
handle
knobs,
and let
us not
forget
HOT
SAUCE!
|
8.5 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Excellent
ergonomics,
the best
ergonomics
we have
seen to
date
from
Quantum
|
8.8 |
|
Application |
The 100
class is
great
for bass
fishing
but it
is good
to know
that
Quantum
offers
two
other
retrieve
ratios
and
increased
capacity
models
for
larger
species.
These
150
class
reels
held up
to
Peacocks!
these
reels
are also
great in
brackish
and
saltwater
applications
as they
are more
durable
than
magnesium
based
reels |
9 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.80 |
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
|
|
+
Excellent
weight
for a
aluminum
reel |
-
Observed
a little
play in
the
handle |
|
+
High
quality
materials
and
design
feels
solid
and
refined |
|
|
+
Strong
drag
courtesy
of
ceramic
washer |
|
|
+
Clean
styling
throughout,
this is
the
stealth
fighter
of the
Quantum
lineup
and is a
pleasure
to fish
with |
|
|
+
A very reasonable
price
that
makes it
a better
value
than the
competition
in many
respects |
|
The Smoke reel is not the highest
end reel in the Quantum lineup but it might just be the most well rounded
Conclusion:
There are more expensive Quantum reels, and there are certainly more feature
rich reels that have a lot more “bling” in the company’s lineup but when it
comes to sheer form and functionality the Smoke reel may just be Quantum’s best
baitcaster yet. When I say “best” I don’t necessarily mean the best performing,
or highest end, what I do mean is the best overall reel all things considered,
especially factoring in ergonomics and price.
Even the bottom of the reel takes
weight reduction into account
The Smoke
Series of reels feature an efficient design and while understated in styling the
reels are absolutely rich in features and refinement. These reels are a pleasure
to fish with and look great paired with just about any rod. The fact that
Quantum was able to design such a lightweight aluminum based reel is impressive
in itself, but add in the fact the company didn’t sacrifice any one aspect of
performance to get to that sub 7oz. weight and I was blown away. These reels
have a smooth retrieve and a quality ceramic drag system that not only proved
strong enough for largemouth but was even able to put the brakes on Amazon
Peacock Bass!
The team at Quantum has done an
excellent job making an attractive lightweight aluminum reel that delivers both
quality features and plenty of refinement
The Smoke is
the Quantum reel that I have been waiting for, one that not only was able to
take on comparable reels from the competition, but in many ways surpasses the
current offerings of other Tier 1 reel manufacturers. It has been eight years
since Quantum has won an “Editor’s Choice” from us and the Smoke is the only
reel to be given the coveted honor this year thus far. The Smoke is
already a hit for Quantum and rumor is that it has been selling phenomenally
well, and is probably the company’s current top selling baitcaster. If this is
true it is certainly with good reason, as the
Smoke reel series proved to be not just world class baitcasters but delivered in
spades in just about every metric. These new reels are certainly more than just
“Smoke” and mirrors, they are absolutely the real deal! If you are looking for
an ultralight reel, and prefer not to deal with the durability issues of
magnesium, then this is definitely one lightweight series of reels worth
checking out.
Looking for the Quantum Smoke Reels?
Try
Tackle Warehouse
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