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Posts: 49
Location: St. Croix River, Mille Lacs, | This year I had a wonderful opportunity to field test (beat-up) the new Abu Garcia REVO Toro reel. Wow what a real! I am not typically a low profile reel guy but when asked, I figured I'd give it a shot. So I spooled her up with some 80lb spiderwire and away we went for a day on the river. Up til now I fish with the old die hards Abu Morrums, 6000's, Abu Record's etc. i'e even been known to throw a Diawa from time to time (rarely) but I pretty much stick to the Abu's because of their reliability. Anyway the weather conditions were less than favorable with temps in the mid-20's. We stopped at the bridge for a few pitches, I tied on a JAW spinnerbait and woosh. I obviously underestimated the casting distance of this reel. I set the drag, which has a clicker on it now (NICE) and grabbed ahold of the big beefy handle and started reeling. Those seven ball bearings make the reeling effortless, sooooooooo smooth! I also noticed they made the trolling alarm (clicker) much louder for us half-deaf hook setters (NICE). I was so impressed by the reel perfomance I missed what my buddy called "a huge pig" at the boat, following my copper stopper. DAG-NABBIT I can't beleive I broke the cardinal rule with no "8". We worked hard to try and bring her up again with no avail. Further, I have never had any trouble palming any reel before, due to hand SIZE, but this reel fit pretty nice I'll tell ya. So next year when I go and get my new set for the year I'll pick up REVO'S -fo sho!!
Later on muskie nuts...... |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | Yep I have heard only good things about this reel and now that has been solidified even more, I will be adding one to my aresnal before next year |
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Posts: 1270
| These are now in the stores also for anybody interested. |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | I just had to fulfill the urge that cabin fever is bringing on so I went and bought the new abu revo, I won't be able to use it for at least 3 months but even without throwing any baits I already know I am going to love this reel. |
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Posts: 406
Location: Stones throw away...finally!! | What model (size) is best suited for us? 60? |
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | i know someone that got one of these from a rep and put it to use , serious use and it broke. i know that becouse i seen it myself before he had it back to the rep.. dont know if he got another one.. but like i said it trashed out on him not after he started using it....bill |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | I got the 60 5:4:1 gear ratio, I have a good friend that bought it and has been using it on monster swimbaits down in AZ and he hasn't had any problems with it, I also know of a guide that has used it and has nothing bad to say about it. If it breaks just send it in for a new one, that is what the warranty is for. I always say they don't call muskies tackle busters for nothing. |
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Posts: 1270
| ArcheyNut, Ah yes the famous Indiana Toro! The reel in question was prototype that was lent out buy a rep to see what would break on it, if anything. WHen it broke it went back to the company to determine what went wrong and how to fix it. Any good company does this as you can design anything you want but you need to field test it to make sure all the parts are up to the task. Do you think the other companies don't do this also?
For what it's worth the problem with that reel was a kick arm being .3mm short! Abu thought they could use the same kick arm as they use on the bss sized Revo's and they found out, through field testing, that it needed to be longer so they lengthed the kick arm on the production reels. |
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Posts: 3
| I used and abused these reels since June 2008. Initially, the first batch that I had all had the same problem with each reel. Some lasted 1 or 2 days, some as long as 28 days. After working with the reel designers over in Sweden on the fix, they found that it was pretty simple....I see someone touched on the subject already.
The second batch of reels have been flawless....even thru the coldest days of November. I also got the first Winch version of the Revo Toro.....this is simply the best reel for cranking double 10's, hands down!
One good thing is the production of Revo's was small enough that ABU was able to "update" the Revo's before they went out on the market.
There will be 3 ratios. 4.4 to 1 5.4 to 1 and 6.4 to 1 in both the size 50 and 60. I know the 5.4 and 6.4 are available both left and right handed. Not sure about the Winch, but I'm sure that they'll do a left hand version too.
I really believe ABU has a winner here.
Rob Manthei
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Posts: 743
| Rob,
I used a Okuma last year with a 5:1 ratio and it worked very well for double 10's. Would the 5:4 Revo work about the same? You could use the Okuma all day and not be beat at the end of it.
Kurt |
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Posts: 10
| I have 4 revo's for bass fishing and they are amazing... They free spool so well... I would imagine the bigger ones will get a musky following... try tacklewarehouse for free shipping... |
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Posts: 3
| It's a little fast....the Winch at 4.4 to 1 is the cat's meow for 10's.
Rob
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| Did a little googling to try to find this new Revo in a 4.4:1 gear ratio, couldnt find it.
From what you said it definitely sounds like it could be a great reel, my only fear is that the "glitches" that we've seen over the last 5-7 years with many lines of Abu baitcasters (anti-reverses going quickly, clutch arms breaking constantly, poorly made power handles that bend on hooksets) are still not fixed.
It sounds like the prototypes you tested had some of these same kinds of problems?
How or why is this reel going to be different?
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Location: Twin Cities | R_Manthei - 12/8/2008 9:27 PM
It's a little fast....the Winch at 4.4 to 1 is the cat's meow for 10's.
Rob
The lower gear ratio will make 10's easier, but what if you want to speed it up? Does that lower gear ratio allow that or will you run out of head room for speed if you need it?
I'd really like to see the specs for all these models in terms of inches per crank etc... |
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Posts: 413
Location: Madison WI | Step 1 - 12/9/2008 9:24 AM
Did a little googling to try to find this new Revo in a 4.4:1 gear ratio, couldnt find it.
From what you said it definitely sounds like it could be a great reel, my only fear is that the "glitches" that we've seen over the last 5-7 years with many lines of Abu baitcasters (anti-reverses going quickly, clutch arms breaking constantly, poorly made power handles that bend on hooksets) are still not fixed.
It sounds like the prototypes you tested had some of these same kinds of problems?
How or why is this reel going to be different?
The abu Revo doesn't come in 4:4:1, abu revo winch comes in 4:4:1. I can't say that this reel won't break, but then again almost all reels will break at some point in time, because they just aren't built to take the punishing abuse we put them through. I will let you know during next season if anything goes bad on my revo, and if it does, well that is what warranties are for. |
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Posts: 1270
| Step, many of the issues you bring up have been addresed by Abu. The anti-reverse problem is mainlly as issue with cld weather and the grease gellng up in the anti-reverse bearing. The grease has been changed and the Toro has both the atni-reverse bearing and the standard anti-reverse "dog" on it so even if it get's so cold that the bearing doesn't work the dog still does.
The clutch arm material has been changed, about mid-year 2008. It was a chrome plated brass material before and now it is stainless steel. There were two ways that the clutch are wore out before, they never really broke but wore a groove in them. One way was just plain from years and years of use and the other, more common, reason was engaging the reel while the spool was still spinning. This is aterrible thing to do with any reel regardless of manufacture and will damage any reel. The stainless steel clutch arm will help this out but one shoud still not do this. BTW the Toro ues a clutch system that is completely different than the clutch arm in the Abu round reels.
I never heard of a power handle bending to be honest, at least nt in the last 5 or 6 years, so I don't really know that there was a problem. I can't imagine tourqing the handle that much during a hook set to bend a power handle. But if that was a problem it should not be anymore. When you see the power handle that comes with the Toro's you will see what I mean, this thing is built like a tank! One nice thing about the Toro is that it comes with both a power handle and a double handle.
As for the Winch model. It is not being released anytime in the near future. It is something that Abu is playing with and thining about but if they do release it don't expect it before next fall at the earliest. |
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Posts: 431
| So the winch model won't be out for a year? I was thinking about trying one but don't want to fry it. I would use it primarily for big blades, cranks and dawgs. |
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| Revo Or 301 curado? Which is better? |
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Posts: 1270
| I threw DC10's with the 5.4 gears this year, you won't fry it!
Musky, both reels are good reels they each have different features that some might prefer over the other. The Toro has a synchronized level wind whichmeans that the line guide travels back and forth during the cast. Some will say that this reduces casting distance because it takes energy from the spool but in throwing big baits I think there is more than engough energy during the cast. IMHO the sychronizing also keeps the guide in front of thline that is coming off the spool for a further cast.
Toro comes with 2 handles and has a crazy 24lbs. odrag preassure. It's also available in a 5 or 6 size wheras the Curado is only available in there 3 size which is basically the same as an Abu 5 size.
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Posts: 431
| I've been throwing big blades with an abu 7OOOic3 on a fairly heavy rod. I'm adding a much lighter rod to the lineup and thought the revo would match up nicely. Do you know what the line pickup is on the Revo? |
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Posts: 1270
| Off the top of my head no but since the spool is the same as size as the C3 series I would give the 5.4 gears about 24" and the 6.3 about 28.5". |
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| Revo Or 301 curado? Which is better?
at this point the Revo is essentially unproven outside of limited use by pro staff testers, so it's pretty hard to compare it to anything.
the best inferences a person could make are based on the track record of Abu Garcia's new reels the past couple years: Record, EXT, 7000 i, etc.
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | I have a TORO 50 & the 60, they come in 5.4:1 and 6.4:1 gears, I think they are coming out with a 4.7:1 in the spring, The TORO can do it all, no more big heavy reels for me. There is a reel size and gear ratio for any bait out there. ABU has taken there time with this reel to get it right. CK them out this winter at the shows. I was using SHIMANO 300 & 400 CALCUTTA TE, looks like a will selling them off this spring to buy more TORO'S |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | So what is the price point on these reels (Toro)? I mean, I grew up as an ABU guy and still have a fleet of them, but as of late, the value I'm finding in Okuma products has shoved a few of the old stand-bys aside a bit. I have used the Curado and loved the reel, but recently even on a killer clearance price, I found myself buying them for friends rather than myself. There's been rumors that Okuma is re-vamping it's low profile line up; I have no idea if they plan to market a model to compete in this arena, but I'm inclined to wait and see since they fit into my budget a whole lot better than most reels out there. |
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Location: Twin Cities | lambeau - 12/9/2008 8:35 PM
Revo Or 301 curado? Which is better?
at this point the Revo is essentially unproven outside of limited use by pro staff testers, so it's pretty hard to compare it to anything.
the best inferences a person could make are based on the track record of Abu Garcia's new reels the past couple years: Record, EXT, 7000 i, etc.
+1, i'm amazed at people getting in line behind this reel with little to no experience or time under it's belt. In my mind, lasting for part of 1 season doesn't prove anything.
So what is the price point on these reels (Toro)?
I believe they retail for $279.99.
Edited by JRedig 12/10/2008 8:43 AM
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New Abu Revo