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It’s all about
the Journey – The Shimano Stella FI Spinning Reel
(continued)
 Price
& Applications: At this point we have established that the Shimano Stella FI
is a pretty spectacular performing reel but is it really that much better than
other reel’s both in Shimano’s own lineup and that of their competitors that
cost so much less? Does the “FI” really stand for “Fiscally Implausible?”
Even the spool is beautifully
machined and anodized
The reel that the Stella best matches up with is the Daiwa Steez EX which
retails for $749 dollars, and even there the two reels are so very different
when it comes to design philosophies and features. While the Stella FI goes for
sleek form factor and smooth and solid yet balanced feel the Steez uses their
Zaion composite material and MagSeal bearings to pursue the ultimate in
lightweight and precise feel with even better corrosion resistance. The two
reels are both certainly premium priced but are so different in design and feel
that it is unlikely that one or the other will be able to sway die hard Shimano
or Daiwa fans to switch camps. (Though quite different both of these reels bring
unique features and capabilities to the table, and we think that it would be
interesting to do a head to head shootout between the two, stay tuned.)
Everything on the Stella looks and
feels high end
When you compare the Stella FI to other reels like the Stradic FK which retails
for $199-$299 and the Stradic CI4+ that retails for $229-$239, or even the
Sustain FG which tops out at $349.99 the Stella seems massively overpriced.
Reels like the Stradic and Sustain get you to around 75%, maybe even 80%, of the
performance and yet they retail for less than less than half as much as the
Stella.
The Stella FI is an absolute blast
to finesse fish with, though small it delivers plenty of power and is extremely
smooth at the same time
I compare this to cars for example. The compact car is going to get you from
point A to B just fine but you certainly won’t think twice about how fun the
drive was, but even your everyday commute is going to be a more memorable
experience behind the wheel of an exotic sports car. The Stella FI reels were
not designed to be those everyday “drivers,” they can be fished everyday but
these reels were created for enthusiasts, those that want to fish a halo
product, one that pushes the envelope in all areas… including the price of
admission.
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
Stella
FI
2000
Spinning
Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Excellent
construction
throughout
the
Stella
FI is
just
about as
good as
it gets.
Shimano
seems to
have put
as much
work
into the
quality
inside
and
outside
this
particular
reel, as
the
tolerances
match up
to the
materials |
9 |
|
Performance |
Casting
was
decent
but the
retrieve
on this
reel is
excellent
both
from a
smooth
and
powerful
perspective.
Though
the
Stella
FI 2000
is a
small
reel it
still
boasts
some
serious
torque
and a
consistent
drag |
9.5 |
|
Price |
A
serious
investment
even for
enthusiasts,
this
little
reel is
designed
for
enthusiasts
and with
a price
point
near 800
dollars
just as
exclusive
as it is
beautiful.
Other
reels
from
Shimano's
own
lineup
offer
much of
what the
Stella
FI does
at a
much
lower
price
but the
refinement
that the
Stella
FI
offers
is
definitely
a notch
above,
the
question
is if
that
"notch"
is worth
all that
extra
cash to
you? |
4 |
|
Features |
Plenty
of
features
including
the
design
of the
reel
itself
which
gives
the reel
better
balance.
Other
proven
Shimano
features
include
X-Ship,
SR-Concept,
Hagane
metal
body,
micro-module
gearing,
and a
aluminum
cold
forge
spool |
9 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
The
Stella
FI 2000
boasts
excellent
ergonomics
and
balances
out well
with
light
weight
spinning
rods
|
9 |
|
Application |
The
Stella
FI 2000
is a
good
reel for
trout,
panfish,
and
finesse
fishing
for
largemouth
bass. If
you are
looking
for a
more
multi-purpose
reel it
is good
to know
that
Shimano
offers a
wide
range of
Stella
FI
sizes.
If your
looking
for the
ultimate
finesse
spinning
reel
this
might be
it |
8 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.08 |
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
materials
and
tolerances,
this is
one very
refined
reel |
-
A big
investment,
even for
enthusiasts |
|
+
Powerful
gearing
and
plenty
of
torque
to bring
in big
fish |
-
Drag is
consistent
but not
very
powerful |
|
+
Extremely
smooth |
|
|
+
Very
balanced |
|
|
+
Stunning
good
looks |
|
Conclusion:
The Stella is
uncompromising, it makes no excuses, it screams exclusive, and why not? While
all those other spinning reels, even those from Shimano’s own more affordably
priced lineup, will certainly catch you just as many fish, the Stella Series has
always been about more than getting from cast to catch, it is all about the
journey. This is the best spinning reel in Shimano’s lineup, and hands down the
best Stella to date. Packed with the latest features the Stella is more than
just an amalgamation of new design philosophies and features, this latest
iteration is nothing short of a fishable work of art. Just like exotic sports
cars look fast just sitting in the showroom the Stella channels performance just
sitting on the shelf.
Simply put, the
Stella FI is the
best Stella to date.
I know that there are some anglers out there that will buy the Stella just to
park it on the shelf and are content to admire the reel’s beauty, but that
really would be a waste. The Stella FI needs to be fished, and only then will
you appreciate just how smooth, powerful, and refined this little reel is. If
you are lucky enough to own this reel I implore you to fish it, fish it hard,
and every chance you get to cast an ultralight line!
The Stella FI is made for
enthusiasts and for so much more than just cast to catch, it is for savoring the
entire journey
The premium Stella FI will totally satisfy enthusiast anglers, as well as be the
proper showcase for the latest technologies that the company has to offer. Over
time these features and designs will undoubtedly trickle down through the rest
of Shimano’s spinning reel lineup and
the company will have to find a way to up the ante once again, something that is
hard to imagine considering just how good the Stella FI already is. While not
for everyone the Stella FI checks off all the boxes when it comes to
performance, features, styling, and exclusivity for the enthusiast looking to
savor every finesse fishing moment on the water.
Enthusiasts can find
the Shimano Stella
FI at
Tackle Warehouse
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