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| So I'm trying out the Akena 400 for this season and was highly anticipating a solid low to mid end general all-around reel. It felt silky smooth and solid right out of the box this winter and I thought to myself, "This could be a good."
So the opener is here and gone in southern WI and I got to test it out for the first time. Much to my disappointment, within the first few cast ever with this reel the thumb bar started to stick and only got worse as the day went on. It didn’t want to always pop back up into place to fully engage the reel upon turning the handle.... and it makes this awful tick tick tick tick noise until it catches then the thumb bar finally pops up and the reel engages the retrieve. I'm kind of upset and disappointed being that this is a brand spanking new reel and I’m having this annoying issue with it right off the bat. I ask myself then, "How long is this dam thing gonna last?!"
My question to you guys, have any of you experienced this with the Akena 400s? Wondering if I should send it back for service already with less than an hour of use out of it? Maybe I just got a lemon?....bummer deal.
Does anybody know who services/warranties these reels in southern WI?
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Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Did you try lubing the reel at all when it was obvious something was amiss? Sounds like a little oil may fix the issue; if not pull her apart and take a look at the assembly, it's not complicated and if something is out of place, you'll see it.
I have several Akenas, no issues. Call Okuma or find someone to fix her up if you are not comfortable with looking into the issue...it's a very nice reel.
Maybe as | |
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Posts: 278
Location: WV | I hate that your having issues. I have been using one since December and have had no issues as of yet. | |
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Posts: 339
Location: Denmark | I have fished the Akena 400 hard for 3 month now(80 hours), in both salt and fresh water. I have had no problem with a sticky thumbbar, but the metal bar inside the thumbbar started to rust after my first use in saltwater(Actually brackish water).
But I love my Akena, great drag, great handle, longs casts, so I have tuned mine to prevent rust.
First thing to do is to grease the metal part holding the thumbbar(part 800 on scematic), this will not completely help it from rusting, but it will slow down the process, and prevent it from sticking(please Okuma use stainless steel for part 800).
Second thing to do,is to remove the dust-shield from the end cap bearing like Shimano does, this will help the bearing getting rid of moisture after storing it in the car overnight etc(a tutorial on how to do that is found here http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=13.0).
I actually also tried to order some parts from Okuma, but they wanted me to handle my credit card number over in an E-mail, and I would not accept that.
So on the bottom line, Okuma needs more than just buzz words here, but to straighten up the information on their website as well as an upgrade to the Akena (the website describes the 250 models as having engaging leveling as well??, and shows the Akena 400 without part 216?)
But with an open ss bearing in the end cap, and a stainless steel bar(part 800) the Akena would have much improved durability, and it is already an awesome reel to fish with, love the drag!!
NB, the above is based on my personal experience with only that particular Okuma product, as well as my expertise from working in mechanical engineering for major German companies.
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Posts: 582
| I have one, and yes i have the sticky thumb bar as well. I looked at 3 different ones and they all were sticky. I took mine home, cleaned, lubed and put it back together and its still sticky but it hasn't caused any major issues. It still engages on reeling in. But it's not as refined as a culcutta or more expensive reel. So far mine has worked well. Its what you can expect for $99 IMO. Reminds me alot of the Pflueger Trion 66 reel. | |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | If the thumb bar itself is not sticking then maybe the clutch arm is bent or the pinion gear head and the axle, I think they have a square head is not engaging into the pinion ?????? Also ck the clutch springs they do go bad. Also don't use alot of grease, somtimes that will cause the reel not to engage.
The Akena is a good reel for $ 100.00 but it not going do what a Calcutta will do. | |
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| please disregard the ticker on top of the "OFM" that says okuma.
Editor's Note:
Okuma is not a sponsor or advertiser here for 2011. The Okuma banner will be replaced soon when we are ready to launch the new OFM properties. Mark Rogers is still a regular here, and one of Okuma's finest, and we do think he's a nice guy. | |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Take the thing back and look online for a good deal on a Calcutta...the extra money you spend will be well worth it not dealing with nonsense like this out of the box and you can focus on catching fish. | |
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Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 'So I'm trying out the Akena 400 for this season and was highly anticipating a solid low to mid end general all-around reel'
That's what this customer wants. He wants a resolution to his issues. Many offered resolutions, some offered far less than that.
I have 4 Akenas. I paid $90 apiece for them from Sportman's Guide. I used them very hard last year. No performance issues, and especially no thumb bar issues. The drag is less than some models, but is more than acceptable for what I'm using them for...spinnerbaits, topwaters, and midsize gliders...SO...the best resolution according to the original question is to figure out what is happening with that reel, and offer a quick way to fix it.
Shimano has a warranty too. Plenty of posts here about one thing or another failing on their products, too, none are bulletproof...both are good products, both are designed for specific segments of the market and each model is priced accordingly. You do get what you pay for, but the Akena should work fine out of the box, and if not, the company should support this fellow with quick, efficient, customer service. | |
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Posts: 299
Location: Ontario, California | Killerbug - 5/11/2011 5:33 AM
*** Been busy and haven't been on the boards n a while.
"I actually also tried to order some parts from Okuma, but they wanted me to handle my credit card number over in an E-mail, and I would not accept that."
*** When we chatted via PM's... I mentioned to you that you could acquire the part in Europe however you decided that you didn't want to deal with them. We went as far as to offer to send you the parts free of charge and all that you needed to do was cover the actual freight charges. If you prefer not to put your CC information in an email, you could always call us (800) 466-5862 x 135 or 151... if the 800 number doesn't work, you can call (909) 923-2828 x 135 or 151. The same offer applies, free parts but you cover the shipping.
"So on the bottom line, Okuma needs more than just buzz words here, but to straighten up the information on their website as well as an upgrade to the Akena (the website describes the 250 models as having engaging leveling as well??, and shows the Akena 400 without part 216?)"
*** I have passed the information to the person that handles the website. he is updating the 250 to the correct levelwind information.
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | Someone telling me that a certain item "is junk" means nothing. I see it all the time. my reel blew up". Well just what blew up? Is the item junk because you mistreated it? Too many variables to understand why in their opinion "its junk". If you can't articulate your problem then maybe you shouldn't be posting?
Another pet peeve - what's the best "fill in blank". This is so out there, I don't respond anymore. Unless the person gives great detail, this is unanswerable. | |
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Posts: 32924
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Thanks, Mark, for responding. | |
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Okuma Akena 400......hmmm?