What is the practical difference between the two? Is one better than the other, or just better suited for certain tasks? Which is easier to learn on?
Mag is easier. You can easily dial it in. You have to open up the reel to adjust the centrifugal brakes.
I regularly use both magged and non-magged (centrifugal) baitcasters and I like both systems equally. And I've disliked both. It depends more on the individual reel than the braking system --how I have it set up and adjusted and how it responds and feels... and my thumb, of course. But that's purely in regards to the reels I have and the fishing I do. A nice casting rod is helpful, too.
Now there are small baitcasting reels with both. Depending on the rod and lure weight you roughly dial it in with the centrifugal brake tabs by removing the tail plate and then fine tune it with magnets controlled by a knob on the outside.
-steve
The mag set ups I've seen are much less problematic than most centrifugal set ups. The mag set up can be tossed with no thumb when set right & a proper cast. Only time I use either is when trying to get a long cast with heavy bait. With heavy weight & bait a long cast in my situation is well under 50 yards.... Jeff
I prefer mag control. It is much easier to dial it in. I also find mag brakes are more dependable. Friction breaking systems can get wet or get lube on them.
Quote from: oc1 on December 16, 2017, 07:59:11 AM
Now there are small baitcasting reels with both.
The only completely backlash free reel I own is a Lew's that has both centrifugal and magnetic brakes. It works so good it's ridiculous.
Fundamentally Magnetic Brakes and Centrifugal Brakes are for different lures.
Mag brakes are consistent slowing, same amount of slowing no matter how fast the spool is turning. They are ideal for heavier lures as they let the spool start up a little slower then is less likely to overrun at the end.
Cent brakes are for very light lures (ie 1/2 oz or less) as they slow the reel down from spinning very fast, but have no effect when the spool is turning slow. This allows you to throw a light lure harder but not lose control at the beginning, then you use your thumb at the end to get more distance.
You gotta pick the tool for your job and if casting very light stuff is your need, then cent brakes are superior. Conversely, if you are hucking iron etc then mag brakes are much better.
regards
Sounds like mag is the way to go for me. I mainly use spinning reels, especially for light stuff. Im just interested in adding a baitcaster to the collection for heavier lures, and maybe bait for the few times I dont use artificials.
Im looking at the Okuma cerros. Not looking to spend the money on a komodo or daiwa lexa at this point, and I dont need the extra capacity either. Im open to other suggestions though, in the $100 price range.
I do prefer using my little centrifugal brake reels for the lighter stuff (before resorting to a spinning reel) --except for an old 5500C I still use to get some heavier plugs out further. Other wise I'd have to say I mostly use mag baitcasters (freshwater LM, SM & stripers).
Mag brakes are more effective when the spool is spinning quickly. They have little effect when spinning slowly. However they have the advantage that the braking force can be changed in flight. Beach/surf casting long range. Most tornament casters use mag brakes.
Quote from: johndtuttle on December 16, 2017, 08:18:52 PM
Mag brakes are consistent slowing, same amount of slowing no matter how fast the spool is turning.
Not true John. Tiddler has it correct.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on December 17, 2017, 07:27:16 AM
Quote from: johndtuttle on December 16, 2017, 08:18:52 PM
Mag brakes are consistent slowing, same amount of slowing no matter how fast the spool is turning.
Not true John. Tiddler has it correct.
-steve
Ok, I am willing to learn. Please esplain me how the strength of the magnetic field increases or decreases?
:)
Quote from: oc1 on December 17, 2017, 07:27:16 AM
Quote from: johndtuttle on December 16, 2017, 08:18:52 PM
Mag brakes are consistent slowing, same amount of slowing no matter how fast the spool is turning.
Not true John. Tiddler has it correct.
-steve
Agreed.
For a given position of the magnet, relative to the spool, the magnetic force does not change. But the faster the spool spins the stonger the eddy currents become (Lenz's Law).
The stronger the eddy currents the more opposing force (braking) is generated to slow the spool. A simple demo can be done with a close fitting neodymium magnet in a copper tube. Hold the tube vertically and drop the magnet in. It's passage will be slowed compared to dropping it in free air. If you try and push it through more quickly (or use a bigger/stronger magnet) more resistance is generated.
I have read where some manufacturers claim the centrifugal brakes control the beginning of the cast while the magnetic brakes controls the ending of the cast. I think most of this is just marketing...making an argument for a dual system...and charging you more.
In reality, both systems offer more resistance when spun hardest. Even knowing that, I'll admit, I really like the adjustability of a dual system. They can be dialed in to perfection. 8)
Mo - I tend to agree with that statement. We are swamped with marketing bs.
My preference for mag brakes is down to ease of adjustement and zero maintenance (keeping the friction surfaces clean). In use they both work. With mags I can adjust for a thumb free cast without a bird's nest :)
Quote from: Three se7ens on December 16, 2017, 09:55:09 PM
Sounds like mag is the way to go for me. I mainly use spinning reels, especially for light stuff. Im just interested in adding a baitcaster to the collection for heavier lures, and maybe bait for the few times I dont use artificials.
Im looking at the Okuma cerros. Not looking to spend the money on a komodo or daiwa lexa at this point, and I dont need the extra capacity either. Im open to other suggestions though, in the $100 price range.
I did the same thing about two years ago. The Lexa 100 was the best fit for me and the way I cast- I'm used to throwing spinners hard. Tried a couple Curados and a bunch of Abus and the Lexa clearly won out. Throw mostly jigs from 1/2 to 1 1/4 oz often into the wind.
Daiwa doesn't make the Lexa 100 anymore. The closest model is the Fuego CT which comes in a couple different ratios. The brakes are very similar to the old Lexa but the rest is better, though it doesn't have the latest and greatest Daiwa tech which keeps it nicely below $100.
Quote from: oc1 on December 16, 2017, 07:59:11 AM
Now there are small baitcasting reels with both. Depending on the rod and lure weight you roughly dial it in with the centrifugal brake tabs by removing the tail plate and then fine tune it with magnets controlled by a knob on the outside.
-steve
I have a couple of ABU 5600C4 mag reels that have both systems. I use them exactly as described by Steve and the method works very well. Neither (or both) are a replacement for a well-educated thumb.
Tom
I have 6500 rockets w/ centrifugal brakes (only use one) and akious w/ both and the rockets rarely backlash. Now my penn's are magged as heavy as I can and they rarely backlash either. So I'm presuming factory mags would work better if they were bigger.But I personally prefer my brakes mainly because of all the options of brake weights.
Mark
Quote from: fishhawk on December 18, 2017, 08:39:35 PM
Now my penn's are magged as heavy as I can and they rarely backlash either.
I have some old plated brass baitcasters that do not have enough room under the head plate and tail plate (combined) to fit enough magnets to make them cast thumb free. Once the head plate is crammed full of magnets it will pick up a screwdriver but not stop the heavy brass spool. It's not this reel (this one was finally slowed enough) but you get the idea.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/C60q.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/C60r.jpg)
The same brass spool can be slowed enough with a couple of little wooded centrifugal brake shoes (sliding blocks) that weigh almost nothing. It's sort of curious.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on December 19, 2017, 07:29:14 AM
Quote from: fishhawk on December 18, 2017, 08:39:35 PM
Now my penn's are magged as heavy as I can and they rarely backlash either.
I have some old plated brass baitcasters that do not have enough room under the head plate and tail plate (combined) to fit enough magnets to make them cast thumb free. Once the head plate is crammed full of magnets it will pick up a screwdriver but not stop the heavy brass spool. It's not this reel (this one was finally slowed enough) but you get the idea.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/C60q.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/C60r.jpg)
The same brass spool can be slowed enough with a couple of little wooded centrifugal brake shoes (sliding blocks) that weigh almost nothing. It's sort of curious.
-steve
Exactly! I haven't had much luck with just using 1-3 magnets. Stack as many as you can, you can always remove some. Probably depends on spool. None of my abu's are magged, but I'm building one that has an aftermarket center mag with just one mag that I'm rather leary of. We'll see
Mark
The thicker the magnet(s) the better and get them as close to the spool as possible. Basically fit the biggest ones you can. N52 is the most powerful commercially available then N42 - you get the idea. I wouldn't go lower than N42.
Quote from: Three se7ens on December 16, 2017, 03:47:26 AM
What is the practical difference between the two? Is one better than the other, or just better suited for certain tasks? Which is easier to learn on?
A scientific discussion of the various braking systems can be found here http://japantackle.com/tackle_topics/brake_system.htm
I didnt grow up using baitcasting reels so the Lexa was my first baitcast reel I could use. The mag's are the way to go for people like me. I still use spinning reels most of the time.