The Daiwa Steez is light in
Weight but not in Sophistication
|
Date: |
4/27/08 |
|
Tackle type: |
Reels |
|
Manufacturer: |
Daiwa |
|
Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score:
8.33
+
EDITORS CHOICE!
Introduction:
Prior to the release of the
Steez in the US our
Enthusiast Editor, Cal, took
a look at the Japanese
version and published the
article a week prior to
ICAST. Since then we have
fished the US model for over
a year and after the release
of the Shimano Core we take
another look at the world’s
lightest premium baitcaster
and see how it stacks up
with the latest competition.
|
Daiwa Steez 103HA Specifications
|
| Line Capacity (lbs / yds) |
12/120, 14/100 |
| Gear Ratio (actual retrieve) |
6.3:1 (26 inches per turn) |
| Measured Weight |
5.5 ounces |
| Max. Drag |
8.8lbs |
| Bearings |
11BB + 1RB |
| Features |
MagForce V, Duralumin dimple spool, Mg Frame & Sideplates, High Efficiency wet Drag |
| MSRP |
$449.00 |
Impressions:
When we first looked at the Steez we focused primarily on features and basic
performance tests, but it was too early to draw long term conclusions on the
baitcaster. It won our Ultimate Enthusiast Award, our top honor for truly
“enthusiast” grade products, many of which like other exotic goods consumers
have to import.
The Daiwa Steez US version looks
identical to the JDM version minus logos on the knobs
We were pleased to see that
the Steez unlike many JDM reels did make it to the US with all its performance
tuned features intact. The only real difference between the US and Japanese
domestic version is the number of grooves in the pinion gear. The Japanese
version has 4 grooves while the US version has two. In theory this should result
in faster engagement of the gearing, but the US version should be stronger.
Either way when we compared the two we found it near impossible to tell a
difference in either performance or durability, neither of our reels has failed
after all this time.
The Steez weighs in at only 5.5oz,
making it the lightest premium magnesium baitcaster on the market
Let’s first revisit the
Steez’s specifications. The Steez represents Team
Daiwa's flagship reel and is the lightest metal bodied baitcaster on the market.
With its ''super metal'' magnesium frame and side-plate, it weighs in at only
5.5 ounces, and believe me it does feel that light in your hands. The Steez
sports a full-sized gearbox that is home to a 12-bearing system (11 ball
bearings plus an Infinite Anti-Reverse roller bearing) in support of a
free-floating super-lightweight Duralumin dimpled spool. The popular ''swept''
handle and drag star match up with the Dura-Loc™ pinion, and cast control is
provide via Daiwa’s Magforce®-V cast control system.
For our tests we paired the Steez
up with a Steez rod of course
Both the
spool tension knob and drag star are micro-click adjustable, and the Steez
features an 8-disc drag system which is designed to operate even when wet. Daiwa
tops it all off with a branded neoprene reel cover which can be used to store
the reel or protect it when mounted on a rod during transport.
A stunning profile, the sculpted
lines on the Steez remind us of sports car angles
Steez is also the name of Daiwa’s flagship rod line, and together
the rod and reel are among the lightest baitcast rigs on the market. Since the
original introduction Daiwa has introduced new right and left hand 100HA/100HLA
Steez reels that offer
20 more yards of capacity
(when using 14lb test). These models weigh .1oz more but have the same 6.3:1
retrieve ratio. The 100HA was released last ICAST and extends the applications
that the Steez line is able to tackle, though the original is still preferable
for the light finesse baits.
The Steez excelled at controlled
and precise short distance casts
Daiwa has long been known for
their magnesium reels and the Daiwa TD-Z was a cult favorite both here and in
Japan. Daiwa seemed to grasp before all other manufacturers that many anglers
put a premium on reduced weight. However Daiwa did what few manufacturers have
been able to do, build a magnesium reel that offered refinement, adequate power,
a quality drag, all while maintaining an overall very light footprint. When the
Shimano Metanium Mg/Core was introduced Shimano put together a package that was
a lot more robust than their previous Chronarch Mg. Here was a reel that offered
more power than anglers were used to in a magnesium reel, and at a price point
that was a hundred dollars below that of the pre-existing Steez. The battle was
on.
Next Section:
Enough
reflection, time
to test
