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Posts: 27
| I'm not sure why some rod blanks are so much better than others? I know they are lighter but are there any brands that use similar blanks to loomis which costs a lot less? Or does loomis hold some type of patent on super light blanks?
Seems to me that a graphite blank is a graphite blank. thanks |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Many grades of graphite. Professional Edge checks in now and again, perhaps he can help. |
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Posts: 27
| Are there rods of the same quality for less of a price. Thanks |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Each rod I own has a purpose. I have a couple customs, but have gone almost exclusively Okuma the last couple years. Great rods at a great price. Are they G-loomis? Nope, and that's OK with me. |
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Posts: 1296
Location: WI | I found a Loomis rod on clearance and while it's a nice rod, I prefer St Croix. Different strokes for different folks. I'll use it until I break it and then buy another SC. |
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Posts: 401
| Oh the world of rod blanks. Many reasons for different prices on blanks.
Diamondback for instance. When they were made in Stowe Vermont they used special graphite and had a specific taper that allowed for more strength without added weight. Plus American labor. They did not do much advertising which might be one of the reasons they were not a $300 rod blank.
I think Loomis does a wonderful job of marketing not only in muskie but bass and walleye. Marketing is expensive. Are their blanks that much better then anybody else? I would say no. I can get matched performance out of another blank for half the money. It is not as easy selling those blanks because they are not Loomis.
St Croix has increased their prices but in this case they have designed a blank that is worth more. Does it cost them more to produce them? I do not know but I am sure they have a bunch of time into R&D. It is my belief that their new blanks are worth the extra money. Better design then any blank on the market.
Bottom line is labor (American made or imported), R&D, warranty and marketing have a huge influence in pricing so that being said more is not always better.
Keith
Edited by Professional Edge 3/6/2009 8:12 AM
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Posts: 2089
| The first time on the river with my SJR 721 GLX, I had my buddies in the boat 4-0. I was using 4/1 fireline and was getting the fish on the stinger hook under the chin. How? A walleye inhales/sucks in a bait like a bass. I'd feel the slight difference and set the hook.They had to use 1/2 oz. jigs and up to feel bottom while I used 1/4 and 3/8.I've used the GL2's to the GLX and there is a considerable difference series to series. That being said, I now am a St. Croix guy.They make rods to compete head to head with the GLX. Equal or better quality and made an hour from my home. $300-$400 for a rod??? Many will think you're nuts, but have no qualms spending $500 to a Grand on a bow/rifle or shotgun.Why does a Benelli Super Black Eagle cost more than a Remington 870??? Tools man. We all want the best tool for the job. Or should. Just geting by is no fun!! Hahahahahaha. Now just open your wallet or checkbook!!
Edited by Steve Jonesi 3/6/2009 6:53 PM
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Posts: 27
| Can you recomend any rods or blanks similair to loomis glx? Also Edge, When you say st. croix's blanks are the best are you refering to the new legends or the avids?
Are the legends a lot lighter than the avids? Thanks! |
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Posts: 2089
| Check out the St. Croix Legend Xtreme(new this year) or the Legend Elite. Amazing rods. The ART technology used to produce the Legends(Xtreme,Elite,Tournament) is the real deal. |
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Posts: 401
| The Avid is no longer made because they changed the way the Premier was made and the actions were very close...premier might have even been better. Here is where marketing makes a difference. Folks over look the Premier because they remember it being heavy with no action. Not the case anymore.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=47...
Here is what I posted on St Croix a couple months ago. It is taken off their web site. What does this mean in simple terms?
IPC-basicly means that the taper of the rod changes continuously down the rod blank which eliminates the three major stress joints on most rod blanks.
ART-in simple terms....it is strong as hell. Most rod blanks you could put in your hands and break the base of it by squeezing. You can use a pliers and not do it with this blank.
"As you may know, most high-performance rods are designed using compound tapers that employ three to four measured transition points along the blank where the slope of the taper changes. Those same transition points, however, can also create points of weakness on the blank. That's where our revolutionary Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) Tooling Technology comes in. Developed exclusively by St. Croix, Integrated Poly Curve® (IPC®) technology has rapidly become the engineering leader in rodmaking. Designed to eliminate all transitional points in the rod blank, IPC-engineered rods feature smoother actions, increased strength and greater sensitivity"
"Advanced Reinforcing Technology™ (ART™) is an exotic carbon fiber material that adds a magnitude (10X) of strength with virtually no increase in blank diameter or weight. ART significantly improves the hoop strength of the blank by preventing it from deforming or “ovaling” under a severe load, such as a powerful hook set or fish battle. ART is also a critical part of our slim-profile ferrule design."
It really isn't just hot marketing air.
Keith |
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Posts: 27
| Great Info Guys,
Where can I purchase the new "St. Croix Legend Xtreme(new this year) or the Legend Elite"? When will they be available?> Thanks! |
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Posts: 27
| Also, If I break these extremes or elites do they have a lifetime warranty? I'm looking to buy the best possible rod but it also needs to have a lifetime warranty. |
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Posts: 27
| Lastly, what is the main difference between the elite and extreme. Thanks! |
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Posts: 663
| Muskellnuger, you should check out the St. Croix site. They have lots of good info on the site and a dealer locator. Any St. Croix dealer should be able to help you obtain the rods you're looking for. |
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