Has anyone had experience with these reels
Pic of reel
I looked it up on the web.
It looks like a very modern reel. I couldn't find where it came from! Germany or overseas?
It has an overseas flare to it with the bearing count, fiberglass core carbon fiber drags, etc.
Also the nomenclature using FD to state Front Drag.
Keith
high-end Okuma... possibly Taiwan, rather than China
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=31038.msg362355#msg362355 (https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=31038.msg362355#msg362355)
A lot of guys are not going to like what my opinion of these reels is, because...really, the only fault is they are not priced high enough.
If a Shimano, Daiwa, or Penn had these quality materials, proven engineering, and tight tolerance manufacturing —- their price range would be $275 to $325, IMO.
Right now, these are priced at less than half of that.
This is the result of a fairly hidden long-term relationship between D.A.M. & Okuma —- both very high quality tackle firms.
This series of reels incorporates all of the features we learned to respect in the earlier DQ Champion Series —- plus a few modern additions.
The reels are designed, engineered, and tested in Germany —- but manufactured by Okuma in Asia —- to the exacting highest German Engineering standards.
Each reel is guaranteed for life, each has an individual serial number.
Aluminum exterior, fold-down snap crank, front drag, worm drive with bronze and steel gears, IAR + 9 additional bearings, "S-Line oscillation, adjustable line lay, and a lot more.
These reels check all of my boxes —- and are a pleasure to fish.
How often have most of us complained —"if this reel only had this, or that, or if they did "X" ??".
Well, finally someone (DAM & Okuma) "got it" right by combining historical, proven capability and quality — with the best of modern reel tech.
Just too inexpensive.
If they were double the price point, they would sell a lot more —-
This is a quality series of capable reels —- at its finest.
I have all (4) of these, plus a few spares.
Great reels!
Best, Fred
At least it wasn't made here...
http://www.haibofishingreel.com/
Interesting translation in the reel description. Is it German to English, or Chinese to English? Maybe both?
Also, that is real interesting, Fred, that they would actually sell more if the price-point was doubled...
Quote from: Gfish on December 06, 2022, 01:52:09 PMInteresting translation in the reel description. Is it German to English, or Chinese to English? Maybe both?
Also, that is real interesting, Fred, that they would actually sell more if the price-point was doubled...
German to English, Greg —
And if you read the older owners manuals from the 50's, 60's, 70's —- I think the same guy is still alive and doing the translating!
These are limited editions —- I doubt that they will be available much longer or stay at these low prices, or maybe be discontinued.
As to pricing —-
Marketing is a tricky and funny thing that even a lot of good businesses do not understand too well. More good firms have gone by the wayside because, while they had a great quality product —- they did not put as much planning and effort into their marketing program as they did in their engineering division. Both are needed.
The general angling public —- globally —- equates price with quality. While that is seldom true, if one does good research —- it is still the reality for the general public (not our members who know how to get into, service, upgrade, and can discern a good value on a reel).
Knowing how a reel should feel, operate, sound —- is a direct result of knowing what is inside —- how it works, and how it holds up.
So, we are different —- but we are not the target market that a company can stay in business selling to. We are a very small segment, actually.
Psychologically, if something costs more it must be better, right?
Once you examine one of these 1000FD —- 4000FD metal DQ reels in detail —- inside and out —- the value will be apparent.
Also, don't get these mixed up with the other DQ reels using the same model numbers (1000FD - 4000FD). These special editions are metal, the others are graphite. Just a spare spool for one of these is $40 - $50, shipped — and these come with one already!
Best, Fred
Fred, out of curiosity, is the biggest one (the 4000?) comparable in size to say, a Penn 704/750SS, or a Garcia/Mitchell 402? Would it be appropriate for a long-range trip?
Inquiring busybodies want to know... ^-^
~A~
Compared to a Penn reel it would be like the 550ss
Quote from: Aiala on December 06, 2022, 08:51:28 PMFred, out of curiosity, is the biggest one (the 4000?) comparable in size to say, a Penn 704/750SS, or a Garcia/Mitchell 402? Would it be appropriate for a long-range trip?
Inquiring busybodies want to know... ^-^
~A~
Hi Lannie —-
4000 is the largest of the (4) sizes.
18.1 ounces.
3 CF drags, 3 SS drag washers.
Gear ratio is 1:4.1, the 3000 is the same, the 2000 & 1000 is higher at 1:4.8.
Line capacity with mono is 120 yards of 30lb, 150 yards of 25lb, 210 yards of 20lb. Braid might increase these numbers by 50%.
Comparable to a 750, 704, or a 302/402.
Should be good on a long ranger.
Best, Fred
Gear ratio 1:4.1 ??
That's super slow by any comparison
Thanks, Fred! I'm still a little unsure what the 'FD' signifies... is it "Front Drag"?
Also, you posted earlier "...don't get these mixed up with the other DQ reels using the same model numbers (1000FD - 4000FD). These special editions are metal, the others are graphite." How do you tell?
~A~
Quote from: Aiala on December 06, 2022, 09:28:33 PMThanks, Fred! I'm still a little unsure what the 'FD' signifies... is it "Front Drag"?
Also, you posted earlier "...don't get these mixed up with the other DQ reels using the same model numbers (1000FD - 4000FD). These special editions are metal, the others are graphite." How do you tell?
~A~
Right, Lannie —-
Front drag —- which is down inside the aluminum skirted spool —- and easily accessible from the front. Dead simple and easy.
The only metal ones are these special editions. And the metal body and components should be clearly stated.
These are the smoothest operating reels.
Best, Fred
Quote from: handi2 on December 06, 2022, 09:21:05 PMGear ratio 1:4.1 ??
That's super slow by any comparison
Not really, Keith —-
Penn is 4.6 to 1, Mitchell 402 is 4.5 to 1, the DQ 4000FD is
4.1 to 1.
D.A.M. generally has always kept the gear ratio slightly lower in their larger reels on purpose.
Many of the fish caught with these in Europe, Australia, and Canada are heavy fish. Canal and Lake Carp, Rays, Salmon, Lakers, Pike, Muskie —-
In most scenarios —- There is not much difference between 4.1 & 4.6.
The lower the high speed ratio is —- the larger the fish that can be handled without damage to the gearing. 4.1 seems about right and will work well.
If one needs 1:6, or similar for fast jigging —- a different reel would be in order.
Best, Fred
Quote from: foakes on December 06, 2022, 09:13:48 PMQuote from: Aiala on December 06, 2022, 08:51:28 PMFred, out of curiosity, is the biggest one (the 4000?) comparable in size to say, a Penn 704/750SS, or a Garcia/Mitchell 402? Would it be appropriate for a long-range trip?
Inquiring busybodies want to know... ^-^
~A~
Hi Lannie —-
4000 is the largest of the (4) sizes.
18.1 ounces.
3 CF drags, 3 SS drag washers.
Gear ratio is 1:4.1, the 3000 is the same, the 2000 & 1000 is higher at 1:4.8.
Line capacity with mono is 120 yards of 30lb, 150 yards of 25lb, 210 yards of 20lb. Braid might increase these numbers by 50%.
Comparable to a 750, 704, or a 302/402.
Should be good on a long ranger.
Best, Fred
I was referring to this posted gear ratio/
Yeah, I may not have made it clear, Keith —- the way I posted it.
It is 4.1 to 1.
The way I posted it —- it could be interpreted as 1.4 to 1.
Best, Fred
Fred
Good evening
Do you have parts for these reels?
I have a 1000 FD
Quote from: sandbar on December 13, 2022, 11:13:51 PMFred
Good evening
Do you have parts for these reels?
I have a 1000 FD
No, I don't —-
And likely will never have any, except some of the part numbers that cross over from the '01 & '02 series of reels (screws, springs, cranks, etc..
Reason —- DQ wants me to buy a minimum of $5,000 of parts initially —- of which I would maybe sell or give away 5% of them in the next 30 years. And, at 100 years old —- not a good bet.
Frankly, these reels are so well made —- outside of normal service —- they shouldn't need much in the way of parts in 25 years of regular fishing.
The DQ's I work on and restore —- seldom need any parts in 40 or 60 years.
I have (4) of these reels —- limited editions brand new, mint, and never unwrapped in the boxes —- each with a serial number.
(2) 1000FD's & (2) 4000FD's —- $175 each.
Anyone who wants one —- just let me know and I'll ship it out.
Best, Fred
Fred
Are you going to keep any to fish with?
Are these reels highlighted in any of the DAM Quick catalogs?
Quote from: sandbar on December 20, 2022, 11:34:32 PMFred
Are you going to keep any to fish with?
Are these reels highlighted in any of the DAM Quick catalogs?
Yes, I will keep one of each, Steve —-
They aren't going to make any more of these —- it is a limited edition of the best construction, components, and material selection of the D.A.M. Quick Champion '00,'01, & '02 series —- only with more modern features like the silent infinite A/R, and 10 bearings. All metal construction, skirted spools with multiple oversized dual drags.
They each have a unique serial number, extra spool, paperwork, lifetime guarantee, oiler.
DQ is likely losing money on every one of these reels.
That is why they are making a quality statement —- but also discontinuing this limited run.
So they are for sale except for the (4) I will keep for personal use.
They are not in any catalogs.
Best, Fred
Man if they're everything they seem to be, that's a great price. Maybe I shoulda waited before buying that Abu Garcia Suveran.
After reading such admiring praise from the ever-coolheaded Fred, and despite needing another reel like a hole in the head, I wanted one of these (who wouldn't?) I didn't think I'd have much luck finding one, but amazingly enough, within a day or so, a BNIB 4000 showed up on fleabay for a price so low it's almost embarrassing, and I pounced. Well, it arrived today, and it is exactly as impressive as Fred described.
As beautiful as the reel is, I really don't want it to become a shelf queen. Even though it will doubtless appreciate in value, so what? Someday I'll pass it along (to my granddaughter I hope) but for now the reel was built to fish, not serve as a show-offy hunk of bling.
Fred said it'd be fine on a long-range trip, so I plan to take it on my July 8-day. Now I just have optimize my variables in terms of what lb-test line, correct ratio of mono/braid, and what rod to match it with. I haven't used spinners in a long while, but once on the SUPREME I caught a 50-lb YFT on an original 750SS, a feat I'd like to replicate while the replicating's good. ^-^
~A~
Good move, Lannie —-
A reel on a shelf (Plinth Princess) is like a boat always in dry dock.
Looks good —- but will it float?
Best, Fred
Fred what are the specs on the 1000 size reel? I may want one to fish with.
Keith
Quote from: Gfish on December 21, 2022, 06:11:41 PMMan if they're everything they seem to be, that's a great price. Maybe I shoulda waited before buying that Abu Garcia Suveran.
Greg,
If you ever decide you want to switch and feel like parting with that Suveran for a decent price let me know. I would definitely be interested.
Quote from: handi2 on December 21, 2022, 11:33:48 PMFred what are the specs on the 1000 size reel? I may want one to fish with.
Keith
4.8 to 1 ratio
11.1 ounces
150 yards of 6lb, 120 yards of 8lb., 80 yards of 10lb
Best, Fred
Thanks Fred,
I do want one maybe two. One for my fishing fool grandson.
Let me know, Keith —-
How old is your grandson? —- fine looking young man.
Best, Fred