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Posts: 207
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | I've been running Abu 6500 C3's for years. All mine are between 10 and 20 yrs old. I've just fixed what was need as time went on which to be truthful hasn't really been much. I've been told though that the newer 6500 C3's aren't what they used to be. That got me looking at some other reels. I recently tried a Diawa Luna 300 and loved the way it functioned. The only thing I didn't like was that it seemed a little larger in width compared to what I'm used to. I was then thinking about a 253. It's narrower but still has plenty of capacity for a casting reel and all the same parts and gear ratio as the 300. Does anyone use a 253? How do you like it? Am I over looking anything other than size in comparing it to a Luna 300?
Thanks
Tim
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Posts: 332
| yeah the new ones aren't like the old ones........they're better. stainless clutch arms now, carbon matrix drag, different alloy for the gears......stick with the c3 and do yourself a favor and try to find a 6600SSC3 instead. Thumb bar vs. push button. |
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Posts: 207
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | The thumb bar would deffinantly be nice. How are they for smoothness?
Thanks
Tim
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Posts: 332
| I've never owned a Garcia that wasn't "smooth". I grease/oil them before putting line on them, and about once every 4 or 5 trips. I've never burned up gears, bearings, shims, anything other than when I slipped on the ice and fell on one. I would say they CAN BE as smooth as the luna if you care for them properly. Garcia uses crap for grease/oil. I like lubriplate marine grease (FAA certified grease), and hot sauce oil. Grease the entire brake plate with a very thin coating of grease. Grease the clutch arm on both sides very lightly as well. Grease is an anti corrosive and will keep the clutch arm from hanging up. I am a licensed mechanical engineer so don't give me this oil the clutch arm crap because grease will gum. Buy good grease andit won't gum up like factory grease. Grease the reel and don't look back. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | RyanJoz,
Agreed. First thing I do to a new reel, and every couple months during heavy use. |
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Posts: 1328
Location: Peoria, IL | The 253 is a perfect size for most muskie baits IMO. I have 2 Millionaire CVX-253a's that are 8 years old. The only thing I've replaced on them is the handles and the drag washers. |
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Posts: 207
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | Thanks for all the replies. I'd love to stay with Abu's as I've had such great luck with them. Like I said though I heard they aren't built like they used to be. If they are I'll have to go that way. It looks like I'll be picking up a 6600 as well, I found a used one for decent price. Is "Lubriplate" a brand name for grease or just a type?
Thanks again
Tim
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Posts: 78
| i used to use Abu's until i tried Luna's, Avids, and Calcutta's. Now i would never use an ABU. I would say the 300 is the ticket. I don't think you will be dissapointed. |
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Posts: 948
Location: South Portsmouth, KY | Just dont do a lot of twitchin or jerkin with the luna or the anti reverse will go bad. If it does happen you can send it in and they will have it back to you within a couple weeks. |
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Posts: 42
| I know the Luna is not a perfect reel- every reel can have some issues, but it is far, far, far superior to the Abu Garcia 6500 C3. I have several Abu Garcia 6500 C3s and they get very little use now. I allow people who fish with me to use them and maybe rig a small spinner bait up on them once in a while. The 3 Lunas I own have never failed me yet. Two of them have nearly three seasons on them. The other two seasons. The latest Abu Garcias never lasted me more than a couple months before I needed to repair them. I probably have at six that are either broke or flaky in some capacity and they are sitting in a box in my basement. Does anyone want to buy those reels? Maybe the 6500 C3's are better than four years ago- but I am not going back. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR- GET A LUNA! I have heard good things about the Shimano Calcutta TE too- I don't think you could go wrong there either.
John |
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Posts: 46
| After 3 Luna's anti reverse went out on me, (this is caused by the roller clutch bearing), I said forget it. My Abu Toro's and Calcutta TE, are my go to reels. I did have a 6600SSC3 that I got at Thorne Bros., great reel! My brother-in law has it now, and its still going strong. May wanna check Thorne Bros., see if they have any left. Remember, you get what you pay for!
Edited by sbro73 11/2/2009 1:22 PM
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Posts: 921
| I would hope the Luna is smoother than a 6500C3 considering that they cost over twice as much! And the TE is almost 4 times as much. Of course these reels will work better or else they wouldn't be that much more expensive. To compare a $100 reel to a $250-$400 reel is really not very fair. |
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Posts: 42
| Yes I have heard from endless people- on here and in person that the Luna anti reverse goes out. It just hasn't happened to me and I want people to know that some people have OK luck with them. What did happen to me four years ago was I bought 2 brand new 6500 C3s and went on a week long fishing trip. After that week, one was in need of repair and the other wasn't sounding too good. I have also had Abu Garcias cease up when fighting fish or shortly there after. I have seen this happen to another as well. My Luna's with a little maintenance have worked flawlessy for me. I have several Abu Garcias that are in need of reconditioning or repair. I am not going back there. I went to the Luna because I did not and still do not think the Abu Garcias can handle musky fishing and I wanted something more reliable. Lastly, I have never owned a high end Abu reel, maybe they are better. I have had their Big Games, their Big Game 7000s, 6500C3, 65000C4, 5500s and none of those reels have come even close to the quality of the Luna. Yes the Luna is more expensive, but some of those Abu reels were near $150. I know a guy who swears by his old made in Sweden 7000... He also says he wouldn't touch one of the new 7000s.
John |
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Posts: 332
| Wimuskyfisherman - 11/2/2009 1:42 PM
I know a guy who swears by his old made in Sweden 7000... He also says he wouldn't touch one of the new 7000s.
John
That makes two of us. |
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Posts: 332
| Roughneck1860 - 11/2/2009 4:32 AM
Is "Lubriplate" a brand name for grease or just a type?
Thanks again
Tim
Lubriplate is the brand name. I use Lubriplate marine grease. It is a cream color and turns gold when it contacts oxygen. Don't think it's bad if it turns gold/brown on you. It can be found at nearly every marina in this area for around 3 bucks a tube (12 oz tube). Squeeze it into a very small rubbermaid container and use an acid brush to apply the grease. |
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Posts: 207
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | Thanks Ryan I'll pick some up. I'm getting ready to a clean up on my reels.
Tim
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Posts: 78
| I haven't had any issues with my AVID, which is a Luna basically. No anti reverse issues at all. Maybe it will, but if i am out fishing, i want a good reel with larger cranks, smooth action, and power. I got none of that with my Abu's. They seem to twist a bit under load. |
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Posts: 169
Location: In the rushes | I had 5 anti reverses go in 3 years, before I said enough and went to all TE's..otherwise very smooth and comfortable reels. Just want you to be well prepared for it if you decide to purchase a Luna Roughneck, and plan to do any twitching with the reel. |
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Posts: 207
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | Thanks again for the replies guys. I don't do much twitching but I do fish ALOT of gliders and jerk baits. I might have to keep looking around. There's not a chance in hell I'll buy a Shimano. Had waaaaay too many issues with them in the past in both product and service. The reason I asked about the smaller one was that I have a bit of arthritis in my reel hand and holding a larger/wider reel can cause me problems this time of year after 1/2 a day of casting.
Thanks
Tim
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Posts: 42
| Roughneck,
I say go buy 1 Luna and see what you think. It is not a large reel and I think it fits in my hand really comfortably. I think you will like the reel. Give it a try. I will say once again, my Lunas have lasted so much, much longer than the numerous Abu's I have sitting in my basement... A little grease and oil and it is as smooth and good as new.
John |
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Posts: 46
| Check out a Abu Toro, low profile, 22 lb. drag, and low profile. I hear you on the arthritis! |
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Posts: 214
Location: pittsburgh, pa. | two 300 lunas...five years...absolutely no problems...cleaning / lubing once every 2 months...smooth as silk...don't abuse and do maintenance...best reel for the buck...
Edited by STUSHSKY 11/12/2009 12:31 PM
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Posts: 98
| All reels will go bad, sometimes they go bad quickly even when taken care of properly. That's why some guys can't stand abu's, some luna's and some don't like shimano's. Because they had reels of those brands go bad on them. They will all work, and will all break too, at times. Muskie fishing is a killer on reels, they really don't make anything that is truly made for throwing giant lures. That being said, my own personal experiences made me veer away from abu's, mainly because I had three in a row that had anti reverses go out on me the first time out on the water. I took it back to the store and then repeat, had to go back again. Frustrating. But all of the reel companies are really good about fixing the reels, and it is pretty inexpensive, so have some backups and send the broken ones in and you should be fine. I had a luna work well for two years, even throwing pounders, but it finally went out on me. I have to Shimano Curado 300's now and I like the smoothness, the casting range, and even with double cowgirls and pounders, I haven't had any issues after two years. But I'm sure that someone else has had the opposite experience. But if I had to pick, the Shimano is what I would choose every time. |
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