Roller Guides and Ring Guides

[MexicanGulf]

I often observe rods that are built with some strange mixed configurations I dare say! My knowledge of rodbuilding is very limited. I would like to understand the technical reason for such a construction. In the photo you can see a fishing rod with the first guide towards the reel (roller guide alps) and then the subsequent ones rising towards the Tip with ring guides. What is the function of that roller guide near the reel? why not use a ring guide? What are the advantages of these mixed-type packages?

[oldmanjoe]

   I will use the roller for height and line guide to center line the spool .

[mikeysm]

Cheaper to make than to install all roller guides.

Mike