Retrieve: A couple of changes to the SX affects the reel's feel during retrieve. The first is a change from aluminum to brass gears. Just like with the Winch, while I never had a problem with the SX's aluminum gears, brass gears are just a little bit smoother and quieter and give you a sense the reel is just a bit more solid and refined.

Engineered in Sweden.

A look at the SX's oversized brass gear.

Power: The SX comes with a stock, ninety millimeter (90mm) handle which helps give you leverage to turn those brass gears, but the other small change that I enjoyed was the inclusion of contoured, PVC knobs instead of the more traditional I-style knobs of the previous generation. Knobs like this are under rated but always welcome - as long as the knobs aren't too big. Those on the SX are right at the limit.

The SX comes with a 90mm handle standard.

The SX is available in two retrieve ratios but we only fished the 7.3:1 and thanks to the oversized gears, even this gear ratio had good power. I was able to pull the largest Berkley Dredger crank through some mud (literally dredging with it) in about twelve feet of water with no issues.

Removing the pinion gear reveals no bearing within the frame.

Abu Garcia's Carbon Stack Power Matrix Drag.

Drag: Another area the Revo SX benefits from in the gen 4 refresh is drag composition. The SX receives the same drag treatment as the new Winch and that's Abu Garcia's new Power Stack Carbon Matrix Drag system consisting of two keyed carbon drag washers sandwiching one metal washer. The result is a maximum rated drag of twenty four pounds (24lbs) which is far and away more than what I need when fishing for largemouth bass.

The reel's spool features 12.6 cm³ of capacity.

Design & Ergonomics: The refinements Abu Garcia has implemented in the gen 4 Revo lineup has affected the SX in two areas that I've noticed. Both were discussed previously. First is the reel's overall weight. It went from 6.7 ounces to 7.8 ounces (as measured in our lab). This is a pretty big jump at least part of which can be attributed to the change in gear material. The SX Still has carbon sideplates to go with its aluminum alloy frame, so there should be no appreciable weight gain there.

Each knob is supported by two bearings.

The weight gain is definitely noticeable when fishing the new SX but it's far from a debilitating increase and the trade off in feel is welcome. The reel still sits at a very low and comfortable height on the reel seat and is super easy to palm.

The Revo SX maintains its price point of $159.99.

Price & Applications: Abu Garcia has made all these refinements yet has kept their Revo SX within the afore mentioned shadeline and right at the previous price point of $159.99. The SX remains a good, solid choice for a workhorse reel but is missing the no trendy super high speed retrieve most manufacturers are offering in this class of reel.

The Revo4 SX has the most marked improvement over its predecessor.

Conclusion: Abu Garcia's suite of REVO reels can be a bit overwhelming to dissect especially given the incremental price jumps between models. In the case of the SX, Abu is offering some of its higher end features (brass gears, Power Matrix Drag, Infini brakes) while staying within the comfortable price zone of the shadeline. Having fished all the new Revo models to date at the time of this writing, I can say no where are the gen 4 refinements more evident than when fishing the SX. This model has the most marked improvement over its predecessor.

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