What is the practicle difference between the Torque and the Fathom, especially in light of a nearly $200 difference in price tag.
Other than the cast control features the two reels share much in design. Unfortunately, it is the details that make for pratical differences in how, and how long they fish.
There are several choices in materials throughout that make the Torque a significantly tougher reel.
1. The Frames and side plates are truly machined from one piece billets, not cast and then machined. This is very expensive and generally only the highest end reels from the major companies have this feature. This makes for a stiffer and stronger chassis.
2. The gears in the Torque are pure stainless with a manganese bronze gear shaft, in the Fathom, the man gear is manganese bronze and the gear shaft stainless. What this means is that the Torque is made to crank against heavier load and hold up.
3. The source for these materials and manufacturing in the Torque is the USA whereas all materials for the Fathom are sourced in China.
There are a number of other small differences like this putting the Torque solidly in the same class (if not above) a Trinidad A or Saltiga. The Fathom is solidly in the same class as the Torium or Saltist. For many anglers the differences are not a factor in their fishing unless they want a little more power if they come across a larger grade of fish in a mixed school (ie the odd 100lb tuna in the school of 50-75lbers).
Day in and day out, the Torque will outlast a similarly fished Fathom and feel more solid under heavy drag. This depends on the angler whether it rises to your level of attention and YMMV.