New SX-Raptor 2-speed, and more

[screamendrag]

Originally Posted by dan1

200? YGTBFSM!

One would think someone like you would want reels with minimal maintenance.

I can't think of any lever drag reels at the top of my head right now that doesn't use a one piece lever, just make more sense to me. I also think it would cut cost since there are less parts. I'm just a less is better type guy.

i agree...simple is better....plus the i like the lever on my accurates more than the ones on my avets

-Jeff

[HTA]

Sorry Rex did not mean to hijack the thread, I just find it hard to beleive that I have been fishing solid for 35 years and have almost every reel I ever purchased and you cannot find but a hint of corrision on my first penn 500. Avet made the change from a c clip holding the drag washer to glueing the drag washer in place due to 1 reel that had severe corrosion due to total neglect that was plastered all over the internet. Was the change beneficial.......not in my opinion. You now have to purchase a complete spool to get new drags ($$$) instead of putting a single drag washer you could install in minutes for just pennies on the dollar. The technology in the fishing industry is advancing at a tremendous rate, almost instantly with the growth of websites like bloody decks. The daily information on products that pass from angler to angler is incredible and beneficial to manufacturers like Avet. Maybe your suggestion (Dan1, Jeff) will be the next change for Avet. (Did not mean to sound like I was jumping all over you, if it did I apologize.) Thru our disscussions we now have a reel from Avet that now pulls 17-20lbs of drag at strike with no side load. Rex I hope you enjoy your new Raptor, I know I will enjoy mine. Keep up the good work guys and thanks for helping me look at this is a different way.

[Old&In The Way]

I started saltwater fishing in 1969 with a Penn 500, went through the Newell upgrades, and then got a 113HL. That reel was turned into a YTS, and then I got 4 Mariner reels and those were turned into Lee Pro reels. In 1988, I got started with Cal Sheets and Dennis Bunker, converting Penn 12's to 2-speed and bluprinting. Went through 20's, 30's, 50's, and 80's. Eventually, I could bluprint my own, and with help from friends, engineers and machinists, we started making our own parts for Penn Int. reels. In 1992 I started using Shimano prototypes, which became Tiagra's. Went through the Cal Sheets/Dennis Bunker bluprint process again on Shimano's. Anyway, I've spent thousands of hours on maint./bluprinting fishing reels. Five years ago, a friend gave me a Avet JX 6/3 to use on a 10-day trip on the Royal Star. When I got back, I sold my 3 Accurate, and 8 Shimano reels and bought 5 Avet reels. At first, I took them apart, greased, lubed, changed bearings, etc. Used to drive to Chatsworth weekly. Probably drove Harry crazy with different bearings, lubricants, shims, springs, I wanted to try in his reels. As it turned out, Avet was very receptive to customer feedback. All my little "complaints" were addressed and Avet reels got better and better. 3 years ago, I got tired of taking reels apart, and decided Avets really don't need much repair or maintenance at all. In the last three years, I've replaced only one part, a spool on an HXJ. The spool was corroded and pitted from sitting for a year, after an 8-day trip. I forgot to wash it after that trip last June. My total maintenance program at present is running my reels through the dishwasher two or three times [no soap/no heat]. Thats it, and my reels are in great condition.

[0831ww]

I don't know how you guys can hide all those reels from your wife, I am running out of excuses.

[HTA]

The maintance part is the easy part, you just have to be consistant. I remeber you posted that a year or two ago and I handle the Avets the same way. I do a tear down twice a year once mid season and when I put them down for the winter. Thanks for the information Rex hope to see a report on how you plan on fishing your new Raptor.

[RickO]

Originally Posted by Old&In The Way

O.K., my curiosity finally took over. I called Harry and got the scoop on the new Raptors. There will be SX, MX, JX, LX, and HX Raptors. Harry is waiting for patents to be approved. They're super light, strong, and have incredible drags. The reels have a friction plate with drag plates on each side, on the right side of the reel. No more side loading pinion bearings. Click stop glide plates, new clickers, everything, like a miniture Pro EX 50/2. The limitation on drag is the spool shaft, too much drag and you bend the shaft. They have same size frame, but larger diameter spool, i.e. more line capacity. The tiny SX holds as much as an MXJ, and has 17-20# at Strike. Fill it with 300 yards of 65# spectra and 75 yards of 30# mono. Cost, about $100.00 more than "standard" version [No exact price set as yet]. All have MC, which you can remove, your choice. There are stronger spool shafts to deal with increased drag pressure, and more. In 2 weeks I'll have a gold SX-Raptor, the other models will be later, don't know when.

The New Raptor Reels will start off first with the SX6/4 model. The price will be $ 439.99. What you get is a reel with 50yds more line capacity (20lbs), a indexed glide plate (like the HX series), larger clicker, increased drag ( 17lbs at strike and 26lbs at full), dual drags, and a MC Cast system.
The reels will be available beginning of September. If you have any more questions, please post to me or email me.
thanks

Rick Ozaki
Avet Rep

[Old&In The Way]

$439.99 for an SX "sounds" pricey. When you look at what you get, it sounds very "reasonable". I once paid $1000.00 for a Penn Int. 6 2-speed/bluprinted by Cal. If you think about the performance, and what you can catch with a Raptor SX, it boggles the mind!
First time I ever considered 100# spectra on a reel so tiny, it's crazy, but you could use JB 100# hollow, 300 yards???

[jpfilippi]

Why put 100# on a reel only giving 26 # max. I'd just use 40 hollow, you're not going to break it.

[Old&In The Way]

Only because you can, JB 80# hollow spectra is same size as 50# Izor solid spectra. When you use hollow spectra it makes all your connections easier and quicker to change topshot/mono. The added strength is just a bonus.

[1:11]

I liked what Avet was doing before they glued down the drag, raised priced, added mc's, and now are completely redesigning product that was working well.

I just have one question.... Why are you guys changing what is working ??

[Alaska Fish]

Someone please tell me what is going to be done to the JX and MXJ in the new Raptor line of reels. I have the MXJ and 50 lb. Tuff Line Plus on a MXJ and a G Loomis Bucara rod. It is my favorite set up for bottom fishing/drifting/jigging in Alaska. The extra drag ratings of the Raptor reels sound appealling.

[GiantSquid]

Originally Posted by Lend-a-Fish

I liked what Avet was doing before they glued down the drag, raised priced, added mc's, and now are completely redesigning product that was working well.

I just have one question.... Why are you guys changing what is working ??

Perhaps because Shimano is (finally) coming out with a small lever drag two speed?