Ergonomics:
The profile of
the SLX DC is also
very similar to the
Curado DC, and is
wider at the front
of the reel to
accommodate the
I-DC4 dial. Out of
the box the dial was
a little bit hard to
rotate but over the
season it did loosen
up, making
adjustments possible
with just one
finger. Overall the
new reel feels
comfortable enough
in hand, and still
palms well.
The SLX DC is a lot
of fun to fish, and
if you haven't had
an opportunity to
fish a DC reel the
SLX DC is a great
entry-point
The SLX DC gets
ergonomic bonus
points over the
original with the
externally
adjustable cast
control system which
is much easier to
adjust quickly than
the old VBS system,
which required
anglers to flip open
the sideplate for
access. However this
system comes at a
cost, and that
tradeoff is
increased overall
weight. The SLX
reels weighed in at
7.2oz. while the SLX
DC reels weigh .4oz.
more at a total of
7.6 ounces. The
difference is the
increased weight of
the I-DC4 module and
magnet
implementation on
the S3D spool.
The SLX DC features
a clean design and a
no-nonsense matte
finish with just a
few blue highlights.
This baitcaster
pairs nicely with
just about any rod
Price &
Applications:
With the
introduction of the
I-DC4 system in the
Curado DC Shimano
found a way to mass
produce their
electronic cast
control system, and
not only make it
easier to use, but
even more reliable
with the sealed
module design. This
digital casting
technology which was
once reserved only
for the company's halo
products was finally
made accessible to
the mainstream. The SLX DC further
extends the reach of
this technology to
an even more
value-oriented
segment of the
market.
Retailing for
$189.99 the SLX DC
bears a $90 dollar
price premium over
the standard SLX
reel, but is also
the most
aggressively priced
DC equipped reel
ever made available
to US anglers.
The inclusion of
I-DC4 makes the SLX
DC better than the
standard SLX on both
sides of the casting
spectrum
The biggest
beneficiary of the
SLX DC introduction are
beginner anglers
that may have been
hesitant to pick up
a baitcaster, and
will really
appreciate trouble
free casting and
reduced number of
backlashes, but I
would argue that any
cost-conscious
angler can benefit
from the technology
offered by this
reel. As an example,
with Mode 4 even
anglers with
horrendous bait
skipping skills,
such as myself, can
manage to deliver a
quality presentation
underneath low
hanging docks
without having to
pay for the attempt
with a massive
birdnest.
Overall while the
SLX DC is
significantly more
expensive than the
standard SLX it
packs in a lot more
functionality and
fishes like a more
expensive reel. In
some aspects it can
even compete with
the Curado DC
Shimano markets the
SLX DC as a reel for
"control freaks" and
while the SLX reels
don't necessarily
offer more range of
control than some of
their other reels it
does make it easier
than ever to harness
the potential of the
cast control system
on the fly, and it
is impressive that
this feature can be
had in a reel that
retails under $200
dollars.
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):
|
Shimano
SLX
Baitcaster
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
The SLX
DC
features
the same
quality
build as
the
standard
SLX and
adds in
the
I-DC4
sealed
cast
control
module.
Overall
the reel
feels
solid |
8 |
|
Performance |
Casting
performance
is
excellent
not only
in max
distance
but in
terms of
ease of
control.
It casts
just as
well as
the
Curado
DC but
is not
able to
match it
when it
comes to
smoothness
or power
under
load |
8.5 |
|
Price |
While
not as
good as
an
overall
value as
the very
aggressively
priced
standard
SLX reel
this is
the most
affordable
DC reel
in the
US and
it is
worth it
to pay
the
premium
to
upgrade
to this
feature,
especially
if you
haven't
tried
the
I-DC4 or
DC
system
before |
8.3 |
|
Features |
Simply
put...
everything
anglers
love
about
the
workhorse
oriented
SLX reel
plus
I-DC4
cast
control |
8.0 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
The SLX
DC
doesn't
palm
quite as
nice as
the
original
DC with
the
larger
non-handle
side
sideplate
but the
external
cast
control
adjustment
is a
nice
upgrade.
Unfortunately
the reel
does
weigh
slightly
more |
8.5 |
|
Application |
The SLX
DC is a
nice
upgrade
over the
original
SLX and
the
addition
of the
I-DC4
cast
control
system
expands
the
range of
capabilities
on both
ends of
the
spectrum,
making
this
both a
better
power
fishing
reel as
well as
an
improved
finesse
reel. DC
technology
has
never
been
more
accessible |
8.5 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.30 |
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
|
|
+ DC
cast
control
technology
has
never
been
more
accessible |
- Not as
refined
as other
Shimano
reels,
including
the
Curado
DC. The
big
difference
is the
MicroModule
gears
and
X-Ship |
|
+ I-DC4
cast
control
is now
proven
and is a
reliable
and easy
to use
system |
- Drag
is
reliable
but not
an
upgrade
from the
original
SLX |
|
+
Same
solid
feel as
the
original
SLX |
|
|
+ Casts
extremely
well,
and just
as good
as the
Curado
DC |
|
|
+ Still
lighter
than the
Curado
DC |
|
|
+
Though a
significant
jump
over the
standard
SLX
Series
in price
this new
SLX DC
lineup
is still
a great
value
when you
consider
the
additional
features
and
performance |
|
Conclusion:
I think the biggest question is not whether the SLX DC is a good reel, which it
certainly is, especially when you consider the reasonable price point. There are
two big questions you should ask yourself when considering the SLX DC. First,
whether the I-DC4 feature is worth the $90 dollar premium over the standard SLX
reel? If you haven't owned a DC reel prior to this I think this is an easy yes.
The novelty of that digital cast and the real noticeable control benefits it
brings with it is worth the price of admission in itself. Just the ability to
better control my pitches and make me an acceptable dock skipper is incentive
enough for me to pull the trigger.
The second, and bigger
question in my mind, is whether or not it is worth investing $60 more dollars to
get into the Curado 150 DC? If casting is the most important feature to you then
the answer is no. In our tests the SLX DC proved to cast just as well, and
features the very same easy to dial in settings as the more expensive Curado DC.
You will need to ask yourself whether that more fluid retrieve provided with
technologies like the MicroModule gears and X-Ship, as well as improved
refinement with better CI4+ and aluminum components is worth the premium.
The SLX DC continues the tradition
of delivering excellent bang for the buck performance, and Shimano digital cast
control has never been more accessible
For me the answer is also a yes. When I ask myself
which reel I personally enjoy fishing with more I consistently find myself more
often than not reaching for the Curado DC. At the same time I cannot deny
that the SLX DC is the better value, a Best Value Award Winner, and a baitcaster
that cost-conscious anglers looking to benefit from the easy to use I-DC4 system
should not hesitate to consider. The SLX DC continues the tradition of
delivering great bang for the buck, and now with Shimano DC features once
reserved for significantly more expensive baitcasters.
Looking for the
Shimano SLX DC
Baitcaster?
Try
Tackle Warehouse
