Quantum Engineering – New Materials Question

Okay… I have a technology question… let’s see what you guys can tell me.

Reading magazine’s and catalogs is standard protocol for a bass fisherman’s wintertime activity. I came acorss the new Quatum Reels and the technology they are using now in more of their high-end reels and find myself somewhat confused as to the value to the fisherman… specifically the use of new materials like ceramics and zirconium.

For Ceramic Drag Components, I can see the value, and from the website: “ceramic technologies improve the function of various systems… designed and engineered to provide smooth performance and greater heat dissipation.” (Thanks Slop).

However, for the level-wind and prawl they are using ceramic and zirconium? This component sees a lot of “time”, so I can see potential for greater wear and making the weight of the reel reduced, but no value to making the lure fly farther (ie. spool rpm) or retrieval improvement (ie resistance to cranking). I have “failed” a few worm gears over the years (mostly due to grit and low lubrication). Perhaps these are more resiliant to failure?

When I was cleaning my dad’s Quantum PTi this winter, it has these components… admittedly, they are cool, simply because they are unique. As an engineer, I find the technology impressive. In fact, the company I work for has some protype designs replaceing standard steel bearings with ceramic bearings. The material is harder and can be manufacturered to higher tolerances. In fact, the actual ceramic ball bearings are so hard, you would dent your hammer and crack the concrete if you were to bang on one. (I gave a sample to Slop Bass… so, he lost his “brass pair” and now has a “ceramic pair”)

So, anyway, can someone enlighten me further? I know some companies do introduce “improvements” under the guise of value and stimuate sales, but I don’t see that here. I just want to understand the true value these materials offer. Any additional thoughts?

all I can offer is the business model for Quantum.
They manufacture reels to need replacing in a couple of years. I would often go through 4 or 5 a season. I have converted to Shimano and have yet to do anything other than keep them oiled up.
jc

I fully agree with JC., Shimano seems to build them right,I have always done best in fishing gear in finding something that will last and keep on buying the same product,it is hard for me to try new stuff when my old stuff works so well.

I would agree with Jeremy about that. Spend the $$$ and you will be gald you did. Quantum is just alright. I had problems with several different reel.

Tbass

I will not often admit when i’m wrong, but if my example will prevent someone else from making the same mistakes I did than its worth it. About Mid-May of Last season Jeremy and I were using our company’s time efficently and discussing fishing equipment via-e-mail. I mentioned finding two 2002 Quantum Reels at a local bait store for $99.00 a piece. I was in the market to replace two existing reels and asked Jeremy’s thoughts. He said to pay the extra money and get Shimano’s. I diregarded the advise and bought both Quantum reels. The reels stood up to some intense use over the next few months until late September. I was on a weeks vacation with 3 friends doing some fall fishing. In the first three days of our vacation, both Quantum reels quick working. When the first reel broke i just thought it was a defective part but when the second reel did the same thing, both reels got returned to the store where I bought them and Quantum will never again grace one of my rods. Like I said, I don’t like admitting when I should have taken someones advise, especially when I know i’ll get a big told ya so coming from Crawford, but this topic really hit home. I wouldn’t,in good faith, recommend Quantum to anyone. FYI.

Chris

Don’t feel bad… Most people think I am just plain full of crap… Which I am sure most are right.
jc

I hear prune juice helps a bunch.
And no, I’m not sponsored by California Prunes.

WHAT REELS AND MODELS DO YOU ALL RECOMMAND

I also echo the shimano vote- although i dont put them through the rigors of some i have only shimano on my rods. I should note that im not very diligent on prevention either-i oil and grease them about 2 x per year or if one gets wet from rain or my stupidity. most are the curado 200 although i do have 2 chronarch mg also. For the money, a curado 200 has very few problems. They cost about 120 but ive had some for more than 4 years and have yet to have a problem. I owned 2 quantums prior that sold for about 100 and lasted 6-8 months each. The other nice thing if interested is you can buy the curado in 3.8, 5.0 and 6.3 gear ratios and still have the same weight and feel of your reel. I use mostly the 6.3. Just my 2 cents

I own a variety of equipment. Only consistent theme on the floor of the boat is all the rods are St Croix Avids.

The rods sport a variety of equipment as I have grown my arsenol… with one theme growing… Shimano Curado 200s ($120)and SF model ($150) I moved from ABU (Remember my history…big muskie) to Quantum… and now onto Shimano. All of my ABU reels are PERFECT and still in solid working order. Now, I am obsessed with reel mainatance. I tear down over the winter EVERY part… clean them, lubricate them, and reassemble… in the spring, my equipment is perfect.

So, a recap would be like this, limiting my reel collection to bass level-winds:
2 ABU 4600 C3 (~$70) – Still perfect. Solid, robust, work-horse; however, not great for throwing light lures or any distance.
2 Quantum E500s (~$90) – Still perfect, but have had to replace worn parts during mainance. Solid, no play hook-sets, Free Spool. Long casts and light lures is what I use them for. If they still made them, I would buy more. Unfortunately, its discontinued and getting parts is tough.
2 Quantum (Equivalent to the Icon ~$40) – Don’t buy these, unless for a novice angler or child. Out of the box, these work well. Tolerances and quality however require parts and regular maintance to keep working. I do not use these at all… my first “low-profiles” on a budget… A mistake I won’t make again. You get what you pay for.
3 Shimano Curado 200 ($120) – Solid reel. Solid, no play anti-reverse. Long casts, little effort. For the money, hard to beat.
1 Shimano Curado 200SF ($150) – Best in the aresonal… for the right application (i.e. SUPER long casts with a frog or other light lure where distance means fish. Not required when close quarter fishing, the standard Curado is great, also if there is any weight to the lure, the std is solid.) The SF takes some tweaking, and if your first true Super-Free reel, please make your first cast with caution!

Now, my dad bought a Quantum E600PT last year to try it out. Now, he likes the real, even though it takes some real getting used to (i.e the INCEDIBLY SMOOTH super-free pinion makes “tuning in” the settings key prior to casting. I could literaly spool out 100yards+ or line with a Sammy on this reel and a 7 ft Med Crank bait St Croix Avid… impressive distance. I did the maintance on the reel this winter and was impressed with the construction. The PTs are made in Japan, as opposed to other Quantum products, which results in tighter tolerance and superior construction. The hybrid bearings are cool to look at. And, as noted above, the new materials are interesting. Time will tell if this equiement holds up.

So, in 2005, what reels would I recommend and what might I purchase… I guess we’ll see. The last 4 reels have been Shimano’s, and I have not regretted this decision; however, I likely will give Quantum strong considerations. One thing is for sure…the St Croix Avids will never be replaced.

I love my Curado’s, and I have started to like higher end Diawa’s as well. Got one Abu, a C4, it is OK, but not as nice as my Shimanos and Diawa’s. Got two Quantoom’s, one an EX500 which is OK, and one Accurist which I hate.

Got a new Diawa Advantage for Christmas, will give a report this summer!

I normally buy only the 200 Curados. However, the beginning of last year I purchaced a new Shimano Scorpion 1500 off of ebay (shipped from Japan). It is close to the American Curado Super-Free, except it has a better spool and crank, and is only available in Japan. They are pretty sweet. In fact, Wesley Strader uses these.

Hey Slop, did I let you throw it a few times this past summer?

Oh yeah…they also look sweet!

– d-nort

I also have a couple of Scorpions and have to agree with d-nort they are pretty sweet. I purchased the first about 2 years ago now and I am very pleased with the performance/durability. I own a number of Curados and Curado SFs but I’m beginning to prefer my Scorpions.