Just Received the new A Series Andros A5II reel.
Here is the Quick Tear down and review:
The Andros A5II is Okuma's NEW upgrade of the original Andros 5AII. It sports a new silver finish. SS metal lever detente radius ring, Dual Force drag + Spool drag, longer handle arm, same line capacity and drag range as before.
Pros:
Very light with large spool capacity.
Dual Force drag + a spool drag for a total of 3 drag surfaces.
24# of free spool drag ( may actually be higher). PDF of tested drag curves attached - approx 30# of drag at rated Strike :o
Reduced bearing side loads resulting in minimal amounts of bearing drag @ 32# of drag 8)
Friction type cast control (adjustable).
Low profile reel seat.
EZO bearings (at least in this production run).
Non spool bearings are all packed with a clear grease.
1 of 2 spool bearings are open and oiled.
Textured spool to reduce spectra slippage.
SS drag lever detente radius ring (used to be resin)
Metal shift button shroud (used to be resin).
Dual dog Anti Reverse with 2 finger angled engagement.
Longer handle arm.
1 screw take down.
High speed gearing.
Cons:
Silent anti reverse dogs with friction tabs (to date I have not seen a problem with this particular design).
The drag is no longer sealed during drag engagement as it was in the original.
Inside surfaces were not greased or coated.
Minimum drag is 2.5# with a full spool just before free spool.
Over all first impression:
The original Andros 5 is a great 40# reel by design and we caught many YFT to 85# with no problems over the last few years (actually only 1 spool bearing needed replacing from over dragging the reel).
The design of this reel has many improvements and promises to be a great performer. On the water test will be needed to see if
the reel could use a few tweaks to make it near perfect. As I see it this reel is very close to a Makaira with a lighter frame, small profile and high speed retrieve. The drag system is well designed and innovative and provides a lot of drag out of the box. It provided 35# at full (16# strike setting and 10# over the spec). The drag assembly is lighter (less mass) than that of the Makaira so will not be able to absorb and dissipate as much heat as the Makaira. It looks like this reel will handle 50# or 60# provided the frame can handle the stress. A dream come true for the finesse light line offshore specialist. Can't wait for the Andros 12SII to see what it can do.
Jim N.
The Dual Force Drag is nearly identical to that used in the Makaira series reels. It is scaled down a bit with thiner SS pressure plates and does not use the Thrust bearing. In addition to the DF drag there is a third drag surface on the spool (traditional type drag) that engages the back side of the DF Drag to allow for even more drag and a potential 3X reduction in bearing side loads. The Spool drag is pictured on the next post.
The Andros uses the traditional spool stack using C clips to space the spool bearings. The Left side spool clips are very tight and slightly compress the bellevills. This is needed to maintain the proper free spool drag range so sleeving does not work on this reel (at least for now). The left bearing should be opened and cleaned and oiled with TSI.
Note - The Eclip and the Cclip holding the left spool bearing and bellevills are under compression and extremely difficult to put back in place. To replace clips make sure the c clip (inside clip is not installed). Install the bearing and the the 4 bellevills and then the large Eclip on the end of the shaft. Place the shaft assembly between the jaws of a open vise so that the outer race of the bearing (bellevills are on top of the bearing) rest on top of the vise jaws with enough space to allow the Clip installation in between the jaws of the vice. It will help to place the bearing on the edge of the vise to make access to the shaft Cclip groove. Press down on the end of the shaft to compress the bellevills enough to expose the Cclip groove under the bearing and install the Cclip. I used my milling machine to press the shaft. but a press or drill press will also work (with a drill press it is a 2 man operation). Also you will probably need to straighten up the Eclip as it will distort upon removal.
The gearing and shift design is identical to the original Andros.
The frame is similar to the original. Here are a few pics.
nice!!!!!
looks like they should give free service on this one
1st thing that comes to mind,can you upgrade the original
whatcha think alan?
I would like to know also if the original I have can be upgraded
I am waiting for my Andros to be delivered in a few days. I am fairly new to higher end reels. My question is it necessary to open up and have a brand new reel serviced right out of the box?
Hi Eric --
Yes, you should do a pre-fishing service.
This is not a complete cleaning and service --
What you are doing is cracking open the reel -- checking the grease, oil, drag numbers with line spooled on of course. You will also be looking for any screws that were left possibly loose or cross-threaded (happens, but generally not with Okuma). Grease all screws, sideplates, stand bolts and clamp, oil knob, check everything for proper operation.
Nice reel -- good choice...
Best,
Fred
I am assuming pre-service is done by Okuma Service Center?
no, for the ultimate in performance, it's work that has to be done by yourself or someone who knows the reel.
Can anyone recommend a reliable Reel Service in the Long Beach area as i am not well versed in servicing my own reels.
There are many, but what kind of service are you expecting? Many organizations do not service reels like we do here. They mainly service reels back to mfg. spec.
We coat all internal reel surfaces with a light coat of grease, pack non-spool bearings, open and clean spool bearings and lube with TSI301/321,...
If you want the reel service back to mfg. specs, I would recommend sending the reels to Okuma. If you are interested in our service, please contact Jim (JGB), Alan and myself via PM.
Thank you.
thanks for the reply. sent you a PM.
BTW...If i want to use this as a 40# rig for local So Cal Offshore fishing YFT,bluefin or YT. Should i go with 50# Braid or 65# with a short 40# mono topshot.
I know anti reverse bearings are not the best idea but I want an andros for speed jigging and I want something with the bearing. Anyone think one could be pressed in and made to work. I know the single speed has one but I need the dual drags using the reel at 13-15lbs of drag. From the picks it looks like a simple swap but it's never as easy as it seems.
Just got my Andros today. i noticed a little play on the Drag knob and the drag lever when setting the drag. i noticed that when i turn the drag knob clockwise the drag lever moves with it a little bit. Is this normal?
hi eric
i think the simple and best way is just contact okuma direct
lots of reels have that movement,but this is their newest model
and not to many people own one
Yes this is normal. All 6 of my A5II have about 1 detente of play. You can tighten this up a bit by punching the edges of the cam bore (on the flat sides) to make them fit tighter. I have found the play is not an issue in actual use.
Jim N.
Got an Andros A5Nlla less than a month ago. Used it two times just tossing a surface iron, no fish caught on it yet. Well it just got shipped to Okuma for repair as the reel is now binding when the drag set to strike. I have been using the standard 5All with no issues. Hope Okuma can get his resolved fast.
Has anyone tried to ugrade the original Andros with the dual force drag kit. If it's possible I will try it.
I was told by Okuma it cant be done.They didnt know for sure at the time they had my reel but checked & said the frames are slightly different internally. I'm hearing there is more usable drag on the A series?
For any who care I have had two different shops say with out hesitation that the A Series Andros 5 can be fished at 15 lbs. of drag with out side load issue. I have been trying for some time to verify this. Which means I'm getting a A-Series 5 & my original 5N will now get used for 30 & not 40 lb.