I'm a penn guy so don't know much on abu garcia reels. I want to add a few abu garcia reels to my arsenal. First question is the 7500 model the biggest levelwind reel abu garcia makes? Second question what is the difference between 7000, i, c3 , c4 and all them other letters or numbers? I was about to buy the 7000 cs pro rocket on ebay but the seller told me it's made in china. I'm looking for one that's made in sweeden.
Thanks
Pretty sure " i " means the reel was made in China ( Big Game 7000i, 9000i, 10,000i). There were some Big Game reels made in Taiwan for awhile ( gold anodized) 7000 series.
Quote from: garking84 on February 09, 2016, 10:14:09 PM
I'm a penn guy so don't know much on abu garcia reels. I want to add a few abu garcia reels to my arsenal. First question is the 7500 model the biggest levelwind reel abu garcia makes? Second question what is the difference between 7000, i, c3 , c4 and all them other letters or numbers? I was about to buy the 7000 cs pro rocket on ebay but the seller told me it's made in china. I'm looking for one that's made in sweeden.
Thanks
ABU Ambassadeur Big Game series (BG), has level-winds all the way up to the 10000 size.
These are rated for over 400yds of 20lb test.
The older gold Big Games, made in Sweden, seem to be more desirable and are priced accordingly:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ABU-GARCIA-AMBASSADEUR-BG10000-Big-Game-Level-Wind-Gold-Fishing-Reel-/161970855639?hash=item25b6371ed7:g:sXMAAOSwuYVWnAtL
Here is the newer BG level-wind designated by the letter "i" after model number:
http://www.amazon.com/Abu-Garcia-Ambassadeur-10000i-Baitcast-20-Pound/dp/B001RDOUUA
Regarding model designations, you really have to be a serious ABU guy (which I am not) to know this stuff; They made a mind-boggling myriad of models and series over the years. Besides the difference in bearing count which Marcq mentioned, the letters "CT" designate open-framed versions, while models with "CS" in their name refer to level-winds.
Chad
Quoteis the 7500 model the biggest levelwind reel abu garcia makes?
No. 10 000 is available with levelwind.
Quote...but the seller told me it's made in china. I'm looking for one that's made in sweden.
You need to find older reels. Generally, reels up to 6000 size are still made in Sweden*, and 7000 and up are made in the far east and have been for years. I do not know exactly which year such changed transpired, but at least twelve years ago and probably much more.
Tip: If it says Made in Sweden on the side, then it is.
The gold colored, and more recently black, Big Game Series including 7000HSN-10000L is not made in Sweden. Never was.
*Some exceptions... BCX, lo-budget versions, Revos etc
See following, brazenly stolen from the Abu-Garcia website:
Glossary of Reel Terminologies
A = Small arbor spool, larger line capacity than the standard spool (for example 5000A)
AB = Anti-backlash, (for example 5600AB)
B = Small arbor spool, larger line capacity and a line out alarm (for example 5000B)
C = Reel has 2 ball bearings in the spool or around the spool axle depending on spool design
CI = Reel produced for Independent dealers
C3 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse (the 7000C3/7500C3 reels have two ball bearings at the ends of the spool axle plus a third ball bearing around the crank shaft)
C4 = Reel has two ball bearings in the spool, one ball bearing in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse
C5 = The reel has two ball bearings in the spool, two ball bearings in the level wind plus a one-way roller bearing for the anti-reverse
CB = Self-centering â€" disengaging level wind (for example 4600CB) 1980’s
CS = C stands for ball bearings, the S is short for "Sports", as in "6500C Sports Rocket
CT = Non level wind model
D = Direct drive - Drag works only when your hand is off the handle grips. (For example 5000D)
DA = Direct drive with palming side plate
DL = Deluxe = Gold plated model
GR = Graphite construction
HCL = The H stands for High-speed, the CL for ball bearings and level wind, as in "Big Game 6500HCL"
HS = High speed reel
HSI = High Speed with Infini spool design
HSN = High speed narrow frame reel
IAR = Instant Anti Reverse (for example 2500CIAR)
IVCB = Infinitely Variable Centrifugal Brake
J-speed = the "J" stands for Japan, the J-speeds (8000/9000/10000) are high-speed saltwater reels made for the Japanese market.
L = Level wind (for example 6500CL, 9000CL; originally used for the 9000CL and 10000CL to indicate that those models had a level wind.
LC = Line counter reel
LD = Lever drag reel
LDN = Lever drag reel with narrow frame
SP = Sprint 6.3:1 gear ratio
ST = Striper model
T = Tournament frame style ie. non-levelwind
W = Winch 3.8:1 gear ratio
Abu Garcia reels come in the following sizes:
1x00, 2x00, 3x00, 4x00, 5x00, 6x00, 7x00, 8x00, 9000, 10000. The 7x00 and up models are larger reels, with the 7x00 holding 300 yds of
Berkley Big Game 25# line and the 10000 holding well over 300 yds of Big Game 40# line.
The X in the size when replaced with a 5 represents a push button free spool release model and a 6 is a thumbar free spool release model.
Note that other size designations have been used. For example the 521/522/523, 821/822/823 or 1021/1022 made during the eighties, or the Ultra Mag I, II, III, IV, V, VI. "1" or "I" means a 4000-size reel, a "2" or "II" means a 5000-size reel, a "3" or "III" means a 6000-size reel and so on up.
Wow guys thanks for all the info. now i can begin my search confident. So basically a 10000 hcl is a Penn 309 but instead of bushings it has bearings correct? Also if I ever need parts are they hard to find
May be an old thread, but golden information for me. Thanks!