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Posts: 1516
| Is the TE worth the additional $150.00? The Callutta 400 is $199.00 vs the $349.00 price tag on the 400TE. I'm looking for a reel to use when fishing heavy baits like the Weagle and Wabull and Cobbs. Any suggestions? |
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| The TE is a really nice reel, vs the regular 400 I would say it pulls big baits considerably easier, has a much smoother drag and runs smoother overall.
worth $150 more.......I think so |
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Posts: 670
Location: Minnetonka , MN. | NO!!!!! I wish I had not spent the Money. Its been in for repair twice. I love my Calcuttas but would never get a TE again  |
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Posts: 146
Location: Wayzata, MN | I have two TE's and I'm saving my pennies for #3. I use the heck out of mine. General maint, and I've never had a problem. I buy both 400 and 401's... [keeps the forearms the same size, load balancing... done-cha-know].....
The price tag is a stiff one however...... |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | I have both models and have had my share of issues with the TE. If I had to chose between simple and proven, or new and complicated I would go with the CT hands down. I have had my TE torn apart on my boat too many times now. My clutch pawl wore a groove in my frame and locked up my thumb bar. I used a dremel to remove the groove and it's ok now. The post that holds the anti-reverse pawl worked its way lose and messed up my drive and pinion gears. But heck, I love it when it's working properly!
Muskie fisherpeeps will always be the ultimate testers when it comes to reels, and in fact, most all other equiptment as well .
My point would be that, I would hate to go on the trip of a lifetime only to have that $350.00 reel fail on me. |
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Posts: 532
Location: Chicago, IL | Have not used the regualr Calcuttas much, but bought my first TE this August and just picked up my second for Christmas. Definately makes pulling baits effortless and makes your other reels feel very inferior. The price is steep but worth it. The power handles (although not a huge feature) also help you drive into the fish more.
-Phil |
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Posts: 2089
| I fished my TE's really hard this year and aside from some cleaning and oiling, they were flawless.Working one bait in particular really ,really hard daily for a month, I did bend the handle though.Reefin' on fish too.Love the big knobs on the handle too.Both are great reels.I used 400's for several years before upgrading to TE's.After the 1st, it was all over.Always looking for a better mousetrap.A better tool.I really liked the single knob(wood) handle for the CT's.I think Shimano calls it a live bait handle.More power. Steve |
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| Hello, I have 2 TE's and may get a CT, as I don't want to spend soo much money.ARe they the same in frame size or is the TE easier to palm? thanks...Ben |
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Posts: 259
Location: Alexandria, MN | I have been using the TE's for a few years. I now have 4 of them and have not had a single problem.
As far as size goes -- The 400 TE and CT are about the same, the CT might be a tad smaller?
If you can afford it, I would go with a TE, they just ROCK!
Steve |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | So are the CT's a good reel though if you don't want to shell out the $300+ bucks for the TE? How bout the Abu Morrums, or the ABU Big Game reals? I know the Big Games aren't in the same class, but are they better and more durable than the 6500c3.
Edited by tuffy1 12/28/2004 12:00 PM
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| I own 4 Calcutta 401 TE's and have had the same problem with 3 of them.
Their thumb bar becomes "Sticky" to push down, eventually it stays down, meaning open free spool.
I sent all 3 back to get repaired, with Shimano replacing one reel with a freebee new one.
The other two had the following repairs.
Drive Gear, Pinion Gear, 2 Ball Bearings, Roller Clutch Bearing, Roller Clutch Inner Tube.
Drive Gear, Pinion Gear, 2 Ball Bearings.
The first one was on it's third season of use, the second one on it's second year of use.
I will not buy another.
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Posts: 197
Location: N Illinois | I have 3 Calcutta 400's at Shimano right now for the same problems Fenner is having with his TE's. Won't know what the problem was until they are returned. The reals were only used 2 seasons, with regular maintenance. I am not happy shelling out $600 for malfuntioning reals, let alone the $1050 I would have spent if I'd had bought TE's. |
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| I have 2 TE's a CT. For bulging big bucktails or pulling baits with lots of resistance fast, the TE cannot be beat and is worth every penny. Even though baits like Cobbs or Wabulls are heavy, they glide easily through the water when retrieved. You do not need to spend the extra $ to work these baits. If this will not be a multipurpose reel, I would get the CT.
I too had a problem with the thumbbar sticking on one of my TE's. Took it completely apart and relubed it and it was like new again. The TE is just complicated enough that I think the average guy will not do this on his own. In my opinion, this should be done at least annually if you use them a lot and if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself I would send them out. Shimano customer service is fabulous and turn around time is quick if you do need their help. |
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| For what it's worth I just love my Millionaire CVZ. The only downfall is it can get pretty scratched up.
I wouldnt hesitate getting a St. Croix either. Pretty much the same reel.
I would love to get a TE but for $350 dollars I would rather get 5 Abu Garcia 6600SSC3s for the money. |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | I just saw a TE 300 at Cabelas bargin cave for $209.00. Wheeling Wv store.
Also, hats off to the Calcutta CT250. Probably the most reliable muskie reel I have ever owned. I put the 6.3:1 gears in it when brand new, as well as smoothie drags. |
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Calcutta vs Calcutta TE