saw this on Ebay and thought i'd share!!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-PACK-EatMyTackle-Star-Drag-Saltwater-Conventional-Prototype-Boat-Reel/303485857440?hash=item46a92aaea0:g:8kAAAOSwgV1eRWmn
here we go... ??? ??? ???
Be interesting to break one open to compare to a Newell.
Good idea -- will follow this.
Wonder if parts are readily available?
Best,
Fred
definitely a need. wonder why it took this long for someone to "knock it off"!
The same guy in Florida sells these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Wide-2-Speed-Saltwater-Fishing-Reel-Blue-Marlin-Tournament-Edition/392391326559?hash=item5b5c587b5f:g:65UAAOSw5Ehdi8k~ (https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Wide-2-Speed-Saltwater-Fishing-Reel-Blue-Marlin-Tournament-Edition/392391326559?hash=item5b5c587b5f:g:65UAAOSw5Ehdi8k~)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Wide-2-Speed-Saltwater-Fishing-Reel-Blue-Marlin-Tournament-Edition/392312961480?epid=1841829400&hash=item5b57acb9c8:g:GgAAAOSwTBJdi8HV (https://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Wide-2-Speed-Saltwater-Fishing-Reel-Blue-Marlin-Tournament-Edition/392312961480?epid=1841829400&hash=item5b57acb9c8:g:GgAAAOSwTBJdi8HV)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Wide-2-Speed-Saltwater-Fishing-Reel-Blue-Marlin-Tournament-Edition/392312961480?epid=1841829400&hash=item5b57acb9c8:g:GgAAAOSwTBJdi8HV (https://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Wide-2-Speed-Saltwater-Fishing-Reel-Blue-Marlin-Tournament-Edition/392312961480?epid=1841829400&hash=item5b57acb9c8:g:GgAAAOSwTBJdi8HV)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EatMyTackle-Sabiki-Bait-Fishing-Rod-Baitcaster-Reel-Combo/303439062006?hash=item46a660a3f6:m:mClLjgdwuSwtz70im3vWJSw&var=602669768146 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/EatMyTackle-Sabiki-Bait-Fishing-Rod-Baitcaster-Reel-Combo/303439062006?hash=item46a660a3f6:m:mClLjgdwuSwtz70im3vWJSw&var=602669768146)
The baitcasting reel is reminiscent of the Ming Yang that was discussed here not long ago.
-steve
Quote from: foakes on March 22, 2020, 06:00:52 PM
Be interesting to break one open to compare to a Newell.
Good idea -- will follow this.
Wonder if parts are readily available?
Best,
Fred
For $81.25 a piece as a package deal, Fred there couldn't be that much in there.
Probably a disposable reel and that's what it looks like to me.
Sal
Quote from: Alto Mare on March 22, 2020, 06:55:10 PM
Quote from: foakes on March 22, 2020, 06:00:52 PM
Be interesting to break one open to compare to a Newell.
Good idea -- will follow this.
Wonder if parts are readily available?
Best,
Fred
For $81.25 a piece as a package deal, Fred there couldn't be that much in there.
Probably a disposable reel and that's what it looks like to me.
Sal
I don't know, Sal --
It can be read (2) ways -- but I see the price as PER Reel -- the more you buy, the lower the price per reel.
If I'm wrong (happens often) then it is worth buying (4) just to see what is going on inside & material quality.
Got to remember -- this is not Rocket Science -- it is primarily an injection moulding process on the plastics.
The quality of the metal SS components is a different matter.
Wouldn't be that tough to just copy a Newell -- Carl has passed on, the family is not involved to any great extent, and patent protection has expired and likely not renewed.
Someone could possibly clarify this for us.
Best,
Fred
Actually, I think you are right, Sal --
Looks like $95 if you buy (1).
If no one verifies the quality on our site -- I may just buy one for the heck of it.
Best,
Fred
@Foakes:
i remember when Valley Mfg had it, they were said to have upgraded the plastic/graphite recipe and made it better, so, there's more to it. if it is in fact from China, it's pretty obvious what the quality of the reel would be.
there is always a small chance of a perfection though. look at Batson Enterprises and the quality of their imported products!
Quote from: foakes on March 22, 2020, 07:40:52 PM
Looks like $95 if you buy (1).
If no one verifies the quality on our site -- I may just buy one for the heck of it.
66 lbs. of drag power? That sounds extreme...I'd love to see the insides. It would have to be a beast to handle that kind of muscle. :-\
I don't have any direct knowledge of this situation, but my impression from seeing Chinese Penn reels is that mainly the metallurgy is below the quality we expect. Things are always changing and improving, so it will be interesting to see.
If you buy three sets of four reels, they are $65 each with free shipping. Let's say the shipping cost is $5 per reel and the eBay fee is $7 per reel and the PayPal fee is $2 per reel, that leaves a net selling price of $51 per reel. I do not know the cost of shipping and customs from China or wherever else these reels might come from, but let's say that it's $5 per reel which takes the sellers net price for the product down to $46 per reel. If you assume that the seller is making a 33% (of the selling price) gross profit, then he is paying the overseas manufacturer no more than $30 per reel. The manufacturer is also making a profit so you would guess that the manufacturing cost is $20 per reel or less. If someone would please check my math and let me know if I have missed anything I would appreciate it.
Rated for 460 yds of 30#? That's a big reel, 4/0 size?
The price of the reel has increase $30 per reel in the last couple of months. Must be that beople are buying them to check it out. If enough people try them out, that's a ton if cash.
If the importer is making a profit at a net selling price of $46 delivered (after subtracting $14 for the eBay and PayPal fees, shipping, customs and inbound freight costs), I shudder to think of the corners that the manufacturer has cut to hit that price point.
Description says 3 stack of drag washers "inside a drum". Sound familiar, ?? All conventional Penns have brake discs "inside a drum" called the main gear LOL. Ain't no way on God's green earth this reel has 66# of drag, and if it had anything close to that it would explode into pieces from twisting the graphite frame components.
Gramps always said if it tastes like poo, make sure you don't step in it !!
Don't forget that the Chinese are really good at this stuff and their government is subsidizing the shipping. My wild guess is that if you had it in hand it would feel light and closer inspection would make you think there is no way it could last as long as a real Newell. But, loaded with line and bouncing around in a boat it would work fine and you might even like it for a while. It's still a disposable though and you couldn't keep it running for long. Just the constant maintenance it would require would wear it out. There's a limit to the number of times a cheap reel can be taken apart and put back together.
-steve