Hello all,
Just wanted some information on how to improve this reel.
I just acquired this reel, but after doing some research I have seen several complaints about the sticking of the
lever with higher drag settings.
This purchase was made because of line capacity and price, I may just return it, but wanted to give it a chance first.
So any suggestions would be welcomed in what I can do to sort out this problem, and any others I don't know of.....
Thanks
I have serviced several HXs -- they are quite popular for halibut up here -- but have never heard of the lever sticking at high drags. The problem with the HX -- like most Avets -- is that if you push the drag too much you'll crunch the pinion bearing and have handle bind. But if you fish it within specs, it's a great reel.
Thanks,
I'll probably just change the handle, and use 15-20lbs of drag then , that should be a safe range
I use to deal with ALOT of Avets and never heard about any having a sticky lever. Just don't push the non Raptor HX's past about 22 lbs at strike and you should be fine.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on December 03, 2012, 04:39:57 PM
I use to deal with ALOT of Avets and never heard about any having a sticky lever. Just don't push the non Raptor HX's past about 22 lbs at strike and you should be fine.
Thanks, I plan to use no more than 17 at strike.
How about at max?
If you don't exceed the reels specks at strike it will hand the drag at full well.
One last question, should I leave the drag dry or add some Cals grease on the washers and also a bearing service before using it?
If you are going to use the reel around saltwater and don't want to replace the spool in the future I'd recommend greasing the drag.
Quote from: Keta on December 03, 2012, 05:51:11 PM
If you are going to use the reel around saltwater and don't want to replace the spool in the future I'd recommend greasing the drag.
As cynical as I may sound, lets see a reel made for saltwater comes with dry drags because the company says it is best that way can loose its spool if used in saltwater environment. Company touts it as the hoo waa reel which is for salt.. Seems they should send them out greased.... Gezz....
Quote from: dobrobill on December 03, 2012, 06:34:47 PM
Company touts it as the hoo waa reel which is for salt.. Seems they should send them out greased.... Gezz....
That's a bit of a sore point all around.
The HX is a very good reel and just about the right size for wahoo and Pacific halibut, if I was looking for another reel in this category I'd consider the HXN Raptor.
Wahoo is my target species.
Is greasing the drag a simple task?
I'm not familiar with these types of reels..
Look here http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=238.0. It's essentially the same reel except your reel is larger.
Remove the side plate scres and slide the entire spool and sideplate assembly out. Hold the shaft and unscrew the pre-set drag knob. This will remove the spool and drag plate. Now you have access to the drag. Grease, rub in, and wipe off, and reassemble.
Avets used the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method in making their reels. Simple and good reels.
Avets are easy to work on, remove the side plate take off the preset knob and drag lever and take out the spool to grease the drag washers, make sure the shim washers and spring get put back right and put the reel back together.
decent reels, easy 15 pounds of drag. go for it!
Thanks all,
Guess i may just keep it and do what was suggested.
15ibs is a far cry from the 22@ strike 28max as advertised......
greasing the drag washers is highly recommended, of course with cal's grease...love my mxj and waiting for the sx...oooops removing spool bearings shields also a must if you'll do distance casting... tight lines.
Quote from: Tarponjack on December 04, 2012, 10:18:19 AM
15ibs is a far cry from the 22@ strike 28max as advertised......
Your HX should do 22lbs at strike, mine do. Anything over that and you will dammage the pinion bearing.
Thanks Again,
I'm fully confident that this will do the job.
I plan on using 50-60lb braid strike set at 17lbs, I'll check the drag at max to see what I get at that strike setting.
All I need is a rod that can do the job :)
Well, sent the reel for spooling and it has problems right out of the box :-[
The handle turns, the spool doesn't move.
I didn't do anything to the reel, just sent it out after getting it, off to a bad start.....
So I sent it to Avet, and bought a Penn 16VSX..
sorry to hear that. avet makes a prettty good reel. i'm sure they'll straighten it out.
I have one and about 14 to 15lb at strike is all it will do without handle bind, 22lb isnt an option, sorry
Quote from: forrest on December 23, 2012, 12:48:11 AM
I have one and about 14 to 15lb at strike is all it will do without handle bind, 22lb isnt an option, sorry
An HX? That sounds more like a JX/LX. If it is indeed an HX, Avet needs to have a look at it
The 15lb sounds consistent with many, but others get 22lbs, I would prefer to err on the side of caution.
I didn't know that lever drag reels could be this finicky..
Someone should start a " Do's and Don't " thread about the use of lever drag reels
Quote from: Tarponjack on December 23, 2012, 01:23:09 PM
.
I didn't know that lever drag reels could be this finicky..
I've never found them to be finicky and I have over 30 of them (TLD's, Avet's, Accurates, etc). Most have a very simple design. That is why I said that something seemed to be wrong if an HX started binding at 15 lbs. Possibly a bad bearing