Why new model 500 Shimano reels suck !

And some 1000 size reels too .
Why does it seem that the newer offerings from Shimano not perform as well as the older models . and they cost more .
I’m talking about reels in the $100 and less category.
I’ve been comparing specifications of older Shimano 500 reels, that I own to newer models I’ve acquired the last year or so .
These are the models and specs .
500 size reels Weight Ratio
Shimano Symetre FL 500 6.1oz 4.7/1
Shimano Sahara FE 500 6.2oz. 4.7/1
Shimano Sahara FJ 500 6.0oz 5.6/1
Shimano Nasci FC 500 6.0oz 5.6/1
Shimano Sienna FD 500 6.0oz 4.7/1
Shimano Sienna FG 500 6.3oz 5.6/1
You can see that even though the “ new lighter reels “ aren’t that much lighter than the older ones and in the low priced Sienna , the weight went up .
The big problem I’ve had with the newer models is they will bind up when you apply pressure on them .
Although the new ones are tighter specs and are smooth , it takes more start up force to get the reel to turn . Not good .
I think I’ve discovered the problem . They have tried to increase the speed of these small reels to where they just bind up .
Personally, I like a slow winding reel , especially for swimming jigs , which is what I do 90% of the time . I think panfish like a slow moving lure most of the time .
IMO , Shimano has a better drag than does Daiwa , but Daiwa has done a better job of smoothing their reels up . I need to check their gear ratios .
I’ve found Daiwa drags , tighten and loosen too quickly with lesser clicks than Shimano’s do .Smoothest and ease of start up has switched me over to Daiwa reels the last couple years , but I’ve had to go up to 1000 size reels . Daiwa doesn’t make a good $100 , 500 size reel IMO . They have a few 750 size reels but I haven’t tried one yet.
I like a small reel , it just feels more Ultralight to me even if the weights are similar. But , you’re not going to get a 6oz 1000 reel without paying more than $100 .
I’ve dug out my old Shimano Symetre and Sahara reels and oiled them up and spooled them with 2# P-line Floroclear.
I was looking at buying a Shimano Vanford 500 , but was afraid of making a $250+ mistake , because it too is a 5.6/1 ratio reel .

I checked my Daiwa LT 1000 reel specs and just as I expected, the gear ratios are a little slower than Shimano at 5.2/1 .
Maybe they have found the magic gear ratio for smoothness with binding up .
I still prefer a slower reel though .
I find it’s easier to wind a slow reel fast if I need to than it is to try to slow retrieve a fast reel .

I like less gear ratio in a reel also.

Nice report and some good thoughts. I’m in the slower reel club as well.
Bob

Thanks for sharing your insights

This problem has been going on for around at least 15 years. It is the bushing material they use in their lower end reels. If you do a google search on the term "shibindo" you will see the net is littered with discussions about this.


Regards

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

This problem has been going on for around at least 15 years. It is the bushing material they use in their lower end reels. If you do a google search on the term "shibindo" you will see the net is littered with discussions about this.


Regards

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Randy ,
I looked up “shibindo” on google, you need to add “fishing reel” to the search or you’ll get some rapper . :) .
Anyway , it’s a difficult issue I’m referring to in the Shimano reels .
The issue I’m finding occurs whether the reel is dry or wet .
It was very obvious as I was respooling my reels yesterday.
I didn’t have any problems with my older model Symetre fl or Sahara fe , while using the weight of the line spool to add tension to the line as I wound it on the reels.
When I switched to a newer Nasci FC 500 and Sahara FJ 500 with the higher gear ratio just the tension of the line spool would make it harder to wind .
I have a shallow spool Shimano Ultegra C2000SHG that has both issues . Hard to wind with tension and the main shaft sticks at the bottom of the down stroke during each cycle . Totally worthless reel IMO .
Maybe I’m just picky, but reels have gotten more expensive and the design and quality has gone downhill.

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Randy ,
I looked up “shibindo� on google, you need to add “fishing reel� to the search or you’ll get some rapper . :) .
Anyway , it’s a difficult issue I’m referring to in the Shimano reels .
The issue I’m finding occurs whether the reel is dry or wet .
It was very obvious as I was respooling my reels yesterday.
I didn’t have any problems with my older model Symetre fl or Sahara fe , while using the weight of the line spool to add tension to the line as I wound it on the reels.
When I switched to a newer Nasci FC 500 and Sahara FJ 500 with the higher gear ratio just the tension of the line spool would make it harder to wind .
I have a shallow spool Shimano Ultegra C2000SHG that has both issues . Hard to wind with tension and the main shaft sticks at the bottom of the down stroke during each cycle . Totally worthless reel IMO .
Maybe I’m just picky, but reels have gotten more expensive and the design and quality has gone downhill.

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I should have related the experience my son and I had in the 2009-2011 time frame. We experienced the binding with Sedona and Sahara. The reels were never wet. Only when I stepped up to the Stradic did the issue go away. Reels have gotten more expensive for sure. Of course I’ll spend more money on a reel than most but I am always looking for a high quality reel for a bargain price. Abu Garcia is really stepping up their game in spinning reels. I think they are really catching up to Shimano and Daiwa…and bargain wise have passed them.

Regards


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Randy ,
I never had a problem with Shimano reels of that time .
I have a box overflowing with older model reels including a couple of Stradic 1000’s . And several 500 size reels .
Think I’ll do some shopping at home.
Sure , they weigh a little more than the new ones , but they’re built to last.

Randy,

I think the answer is no but do the higher end reels like the vanquish suffer from these issues?

The issues on these lower end reels wouldn’t stop you from purchasing a vanquish, would it?


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Originally Posted by TXPanfisher

Randy,

I think the answer is no but do the higher end reels like the vanquish suffer from these issues?

The issues on these lower end reels wouldn’t stop you from purchasing a vanquish, would it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Have never heard of this issue in Vanquish, or Twin Power and Stella. I would by the new Vanquish in a heartbeat.


Regards

Anybody own a Shimano Vanford 500 ?
How do you like it ?
Do you think it’s worth $250 ?

i bought the shimano soare xr 500 from digitaka last december.
used it once so far and love the reel, it was around 200.00

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Originally Posted by Shru63

i bought the shimano soare xr 500 from digitaka last december.
used it once so far and love the reel, it was around 200.00

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I looked up the specs on the shimano soare xr 500 and that looks like a reel I could fall in love with . 4.7/1 gear ratio , shallow spool hold 115 yds of 2# test.
Out of stock at the moment but I’ll be keeping an eye out for them to get back in stock at digitaka.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shru63

i bought the shimano soare xr 500 from digitaka last december.
used it once so far and love the reel, it was around 200.00

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I looked up the specs on the shimano soare xr 500 and that looks like a reel I could fall in love with . 4.7/1 gear ratio , shallow spool hold 115 yds of 2# test.
Out of stock at the moment but I’ll be keeping an eye out for them to get back in stock at digitaka.

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Anybody own a Shimano Vanford 500 ?
How do you like it ?
Do you think it’s worth $250 ?

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I have never fished a Vanford 500. I have fished a Vanford 1000 and it is a nice reel. But I do not think it is worth 250 dollars. I say this not because it is a bad reel but in my opinion there are better reels for the money spent. The Soare XR is one of those. While I don’t fish 500 series I would have to think fishing a reel that weighs only 135 grams would be a hoot.

Regards


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I found a SOARE BB 22 SOARE BB 500SPG at Digitaka and ordered one . Same gear ratio 4.7/1 and shallow spool .
I’ll let you know when I get it .

My opinion and input. I’ve just gotten through with a search for a better than average 500 series reel. Weight was a factor as well as shallow spool and gear ratio and bearing count. My first choice was the vanford 500s but looking everywhere I haven’t found one in stock yet. The Soare XR has many good reports and I was on board with one of those. I then found a Regal 1000s which are also hard to find under $240 for over $100 less than that and I couldn’t say no. That still doesn’t solve my good 500s search but to end this I’ll say that the Vanford is still my first choice and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Soare XR, both near $200 or a little better. I’ve handled the Sahara and find them very heavy and not as smooth as I was looking for. That’s by feel and not specs. Using that info and checking other specs I didn’t find any others to compare. With Abu Garcia’s newer reels getting so much good press I’d be into handling one to see how well they are if they have any offerings in the 500 class. Good luck in your search and I’m watching to see the outcome of it.

Thanks Skeet , I just got a tracking number on the Soare BB 22 500SPG , but the delivery date hasn’t been updated.
This will be my first shallow spool 500 reel . I like the slower retrieve , so it shouldn’t have the issues I’m having with the latest Sahara and Nasci 500 reels .
I would have considered Soare SR 500 but it’s out of stock and about $100 more , if it were in stock .
The new reel should arrive the first of next week Digitaker ships them out quickly if they’re in stock . And they usually have the best prices .
I’ll let you know what it’s like when I get it .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Thanks Skeet , I just got a tracking number on the Soare BB 22 500SPG , but the delivery date hasn’t been updated.
This will be my first shallow spool 500 reel . I like the slower retrieve , so it shouldn’t have the issues I’m having with the latest Sahara and Nasci 500 reels .
I would have considered Soare SR 500 but it’s out of stock and about $100 more , if it were in stock .
The new reel should arrive the first of next week Digitaker ships them out quickly if they’re in stock . And they usually have the best prices .
I’ll let you know what it’s like when I get it .

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Of late Digitaka shipping has been excellent. I was surprised my last two orders arrived sooner than the expected delivery date. Hoping that will be the case for you too.

I have the Soare XR in 500 and also 2000. The former does not have micro module gearing, like the other sizes. It’s still a good reel. The 2000 is a little better.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Thanks Skeet , I just got a tracking number on the Soare BB 22 500SPG , but the delivery date hasn’t been updated.
This will be my first shallow spool 500 reel . I like the slower retrieve , so it shouldn’t have the issues I’m having with the latest Sahara and Nasci 500 reels .
I would have considered Soare SR 500 but it’s out of stock and about $100 more , if it were in stock .
The new reel should arrive the first of next week Digitaker ships them out quickly if they’re in stock . And they usually have the best prices .
I’ll let you know what it’s like when I get it .

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It will be rare to beat Digitaka prices on reels. Just got in a new fiber glass rod from them……after I got the shipping email it was at my door in 38 hours. Got to love Digitaka.

Regards


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I saw those as an alternative but the bearing count was low and I didn’t find many reviews. I’m anxious to hear how you like yours a while down the road.

And I’m sorry if I’m hijacking the thread, but I have one more thing that came to me at work this morning that I didn’t mention. I bought a President XT in the 20 size ( 500 series )and have used it some with Nanofil. I also have several of the regular President 20’s that I’ve just replaced the others I’ve had because of some noticeable wear in the gears ( I think ). Some movement in the handle when holding the spool. I’ve used them extensively and had no qualms about the replacement’s. I also found the three of them for about $100 new. But back to the XT, I’m liking it a lot. Very light and I replaced the drag washers with carbon graphite and lubed them with the proper stuff. Drag is as good as I could hope for and the reel gives me nothing negative to speak of. It’s my first with a cork handle and the jury is still out on that. I found this one on sale for just over $60 and couldn’t refuse, usually near $90. For the JDM like build its riding I’m very pleased with it. Handle one if you get the chance.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

And I’m sorry if I’m hijacking the thread, but I have one more thing that came to me at work this morning that I didn’t mention. I bought a President XT in the 20 size ( 500 series )and have used it some with Nanofil. I also have several of the regular President 20’s that I’ve just replaced the others I’ve had because of some noticeable wear in the gears ( I think ). Some movement in the handle when holding the spool. I’ve used them extensively and had no qualms about the replacement’s. I also found the three of them for about $100 new. But back to the XT, I’m liking it a lot. Very light and I replaced the drag washers with carbon graphite and lubed them with the proper stuff. Drag is as good as I could hope for and the reel gives me nothing negative to speak of. It’s my first with a cork handle and the jury is still out on that. I found this one on sale for just over $60 and couldn’t refuse, usually near $90. For the JDM like build its riding I’m very pleased with it. Handle one if you get the chance.

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I have no problem with you commenting on other 500 size reels .
I own one of the President XT limited edition 20 size reels . It’s a tiny reel .
I’ll have to get it out and try it again .
The Soare bb I ordered has 4 ball bearings and a roller bearing in the bail . I’ve got a few Shimano Siennas with less bearing ad with a little Lucas reel oil in the right places , they’re as smooth as the more expensive reels .
Wobble is what I’m worried about .
Minimum wobble , especially in the handle and I can live with it .