Curado E vs G-real or imagined?

[Hawg]

I've been reading posts on various sites and all the Shimanno guys are debating whether the G is junk compared to the E series. Are they really that much different? My friend at Gander says he hasn't had a single complaint.

PS- where are these $30 rebates I keep reading about?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Depends on if you want to read blogs/forums... A lot of people are spewing untrue information.. (keep in mind I work as a prostaffer/sales for Shimano)

I have talked to people on the inside a bit on the subject between the 2 reels... Many of the complaints I have heard is that the new curado feels cheaper.. It may be because they went to the graphite side plates rather than keep with the aluminum. A lot of research went into this.. They beefed up the inner frame of the reel and also lowered it to the reel seat to prevent warping, thus allowing them to use graphite on the outer shell, allowing for the reel to be lighter and more sensitive. Shimano also wanted to hit some different price points in the market.

Think of it this way...

10 years ago, if you would have bought a curado with Super Free technology the Curado SF was I believe $149... Now today they retail for $159(all come with SF technology) and there is a $30 mail in rebate till apr 25th... , and this new Curado is Lighter, stronger, smoother.. think about how everything has gone up in price, yet the curado is better now, and with the rebate is cheaper.

It doesnt feel as heavy, maybe feels cheaper, but its a reel Shimano is proud to put on the market, it a reel that they make IN THEIR OWN FACTORIES, and once people get over the fact that they think it "feels" cheap, they will love.

Lastly--- if looking for the rebate.. many retailers have the slips, but if not, go to the Shimano web page.. then click on the "Bonus Cash Program" link on the far right of the bar at the top of the page.

if you have any other questions, please let me know or email me.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I dont really browse anywhere else besides FM but has anyone heard of faulty sideplates on the new curado G? I know a guy who was having trouble, went through 3 or 4 bad ones before he got one that would stay latched closed. Searched the web didnt read much. Maybe they fixed it?

[Deitz Dittrich]

T-up, I called my contacts at Shimano, its the same system on all baitcasters.. there is no recall, there is no problem. Not sure what happened to your buddy....

If anything, its one of the most solid systems in the industry... I will admit I had an issue on an 08 chronarch. but I broke it myself. Snapped it from the frame. sent it in to shimano (this was before they even knew who I was, which is funny, because I am still just a school teacher from lindstrom MN to them.. ) and they fixed the prob.... I totally just tore the side plate off.. was me.. no one else.. I killed this reel, and they fixed it....

So, 2-4 bad ones?... I have not heard of that at all... hence why I made the call... No cover up here. Serious.!

[mabr]

Good to hear all that deitz. Ive turned into a strict shimano guy now. Finally gave up the lews of old.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

T-up, I called my contacts at Shimano, its the same system on all baitcasters.. there is no recall, there is no problem. Not sure what happened to your buddy....

If anything, its one of the most solid systems in the industry... I will admit I had an issue on an 08 chronarch. but I broke it myself. Snapped it from the frame. sent it in to shimano (this was before they even knew who I was, which is funny, because I am still just a school teacher from lindstrom MN to them.. ) and they fixed the prob.... I totally just tore the side plate off.. was me.. no one else.. I killed this reel, and they fixed it....

So, 2-4 bad ones?... I have not heard of that at all... hence why I made the call... No cover up here. Serious.!

Thanks for the heads up.

I was surprised when I heard about it too. I believe his story, he had no reason to make it up and he is a pastor... Chalk it up to dumb luck I guess, maybe user error?

[cjac]

I've read the chatter/hype and the online blogs, etc. Shimano will not produce an inferior product, simple as that. I have 3 G series reels that I picked up last year in addition to several other Curado B's I own, and I'm grabbing a new 5.5 ratio crankbait reel, no doubts in my mind that I'll be pleased with the new reel.

If for some reason you have an issue we have FM contacts to work through. Bottom line....it's a Shimano.

[mww24]

It's not the curado but I bought my first shimano last year in late summer. it was a citica-e. the model below the curado. I just bought a citica-g. They are both spooled with 50 pound braid on top of 10 pound mono backer. I've been out in the yard making little roll cast and pitches to my mailbox post. Yes the citica-g feels different in my hand than the citica-e. Other than the feel of the material in my hand I can't tell a single bit of difference in the two reels. Both are new as I only fished the citica-e a few times last fall. I firmly believe that if you take care of your equipment it will give you years of flawless performance. I have my first baitcasing reel I ever bought still and it performs just as good now as it did then. That real is 15 years old. This kind of reminds me of how you still hear that g-loomis rods are inferior now because shimano bought them. Even though shimano bought them years ago. it just goes to show a lot of people spew info they really don't have enough knowledge about. I'm sure reels break. I've had reels come out of the box not working properly and I've exchanged them and gotten years out of the replacement. When talking about the quantity of reels made there are sure to be lemons. Just like any other product that is mass produced.

[slipperybob]

The side plate issue that I've heard about was brought up when Shimano made the switch to a half turn access. People ended up breaking the flap becuase they weren't used to it and over forced it. Also that the side plate wasn't setting in properly and they couldn't click the turn acces key. Then again when Shimano made the 1/4 turn access, a few people had brought up the same issues. Now we have the 1/8 turn access...See the pattern here. LOL.

For myself, it was user error. I encounter the same thing or similar to what others had mentioned. It was user error. Just slow down and take time to ensure the side plate is set in properly before turning the access key to the lock position. The mechanical problem is that the two pins on the spool shaft are not sliding correctly into the slots on the pinion gear. When I slowed down to make sure everything lines up, it works just fine.

[Hawg]

Holy Cow! I'm just getting into bass fishing because of a mixed bag league so this was my first post on the bass forum. You mean we have a fishing rep thats a pastor???? Is'nt that like an honest attorney? Thanks Deitz

[BTL]

I bought the Curado and Citica D series a few years back, and within a few months those were discontinued and they came out with the improved E series at a better price. Still kinda bitter about that .

[Friar_Tuck]

i'd rather have a E than a G. the new chronarch is the old E7 rebadged essentually.

[Deitz Dittrich]

i'd rather have a E than a G. the new chronarch is the old E7 rebadged essentually.

Thats not true... please read my first post. The reel is different...

and just to be sure.. I am not a pastor.. but my brother is one.. does that count?

[Hawg]

There ya go Deitz, many claim the E is what the Chrongraph turned into and the new Curado G is what the Citiga was last year. Is this just all laymen talk?

[Hawg]

Looks like our posts crossed in the mail. As for the brother being a pastor and not you, I'll accept that as long as your sisters not an attorney. Thanks again.

This is sure getting beat to death on a lot of sites.

[Cecil]

I think anytime you hand someone a reel that is lighter, some will assume it’s cheaper. After all, metal is heavier. But if you stop and think about it, how many parts on a reel need to be metal? A side plate doesn't, a drag control doesn't, a thumb bar doesn't. Sure metal feels stronger, but as technology grows, I don't see a lot of need for metals (especially heavier metals) in the future of reels. Yeah, you need to have metal gears and such, but it won't be long before those are lighter as well (and stronger). But that doesn't make them cheaper.

I think anyone who knows Shimano, knows they would not "cheapen" a reel just to save some money. They have a huge following and very high standards to uphold.

[slipperybob]

i'd rather have a E than a G. the new chronarch is the old E7 rebadged essentually.

It's closer to say the new Chronarch 50E is the old Curado 50E rebadged and a few parts/materials changed. Then again the old Curado 100D's and the old Chronarch 50Mg shared the exact same frame and tooling. However it was better to have a few more better bearings here and there in the Chronarchs.

It's sad to see the old Chronarch 100D's on the chopping block. Comparing to the new Chronarch 200E's it's very easily said, they've gone cheap. Just look at the new retail price. LOL...Pricewise it makes sense to rebadge the Curado 50E into a Chronarch 50E.

[Cecil]

Price of materials and the desire to get to hit newer price points like Deitz said. Price of metal is rediculous as we all know.

[Friar_Tuck]

the E7 has a nicer machined handle, Aluminum star drag is also nicer vs composite on the G. E7 has a titanium line guide insert, the E7 like the Chronarch has bearings in the reel knobs, G doesn't.

Maybe those nicer cosmetic things are no big deal & trivial to others, but it matters to me.

Price reflects quality, if the G was a cross the board equal and/or better than the E it would be priced comparably. the G runs in the middle of the old E7 & Citica.

the E7, with everything considered is over all a better reel. Upgrade to ABEC 7 hybrids and its a super solid quality reel all the way around.

If someone offered you a NIB G or E which would you choose? With out question I'd pick the E7 all day long.

I'm not saying the G doesn't have some pro's or is a bad reel. but its just not as nice as the E7 and thats my opinion.

[mww24]

valid points friar. I would pick the e still as well of my g in the citica line just because i like the feel in my hand. My opinion was just that a weekend warrior like myself didnt notice any difference. I really want to upgrade spool bearings in a reel to see what happens. I think no matter what certain model reels always have a cult following.