Quantum Exo vs. Quantum Smoke

I had a good offer on both reels (baitcasters) and had to make a choice. I read a few reviews and went with the Smoke. Anyone have experience with one or both want to let me know your thoughts?

I’ve had the smoke for about a year now – couldn’t be happier. I think more and more reel manufacturers will go this light. Seems durable though, and very few rats nests which is my #1 pet peeve with bait casters.

Good to hear.

Birds nests come with the territory (wait for the KVD wannabees to chime in to the contrary). Catfishing really puts me out of practice and a few bird’s nests remind me of how to cast a lighter lure for accuracy and distance, without getting a snarled mess.

Getting a reel with a 2 brake system does help prevent the snarl ups alot…but have to adjust for each lure weight – especially those light ones into the wind!

I’m a bit short on time, so hopefully I will get back here soon.
A couple key differences in the EXO and Smoke (I’ running both this year along with last years’ Tour Editions)

Smoke:
One piece aircraft aluminum frame
8+1 Polymer-stainless Hybrid PT bearings system
ACS Braking system
Skeletal “V” spool
Ceramic drag system
Sizes 100 and 150 series – 15# to 19# max drag – 5.3:1 up to 7.3:1 (inches per turn = 23″ to 34″)
Weight = 6.2 up to 6.8 oz

EXO
Sizes 100, 200, & 300 series
300 series holds approx 200 yrds of 20# mono
10+1 Polymer-stainless Hybrid PT bearings system
#300 series has solid brass drive gears
100/200 has aluminum drive gears
EVA handle knobs
CSC drag system (Carbon, stainless, and ceramic discs)
The ACS brake is internal of the side cover
Weight 5.9 to 7.X oz
Max drag 15 to 22#
inches per turn and ratios are available in the same.

In a nutshell, most guys will notice very little difference in how smooth the EXO is over the Smoke. The bearing quality that Quantum uses is top of the line. They don’t bump up the number of bearings by using the cheaper stuff like a lot of other manufactures. The internal parts are beefed up a little in the EXO over the Smoke. That led to the skeleton design to reduce so much weight. As mentioned, having the dual braking system (ACS) is a pleasure to have with many clients that have had a difficult time with baitcasting reels. Either way, you won’t go wrong in your selection of the Smoke or EXO, its just a matter of matching which specific model matches your needs.

My personal desires on the EXO for the future:
External ACS control and a flipping switch like the Accurists. I love all three of the Quantum baitcasting models that I use. Not a negative in the world when it comes to their performance and quality.

So the Exo’s are the ones that have the dual braking system or does the smoke have a dual braking system as well? I would assume that the dual system would make it a lot easier to cast without the hassle of getting to many backlashes.

The EXO does not have an external adjustable “dual” braking system like The Tour KVD and Smoke…
It ha an infinite internal system…which I believe is adjustable by removing the side plate. I have not cast an EXO but the Smoke and Energy PTi are both fine reels.

All the Quantum PT series casting reels have dual brake adjustments…from the Smoke down to the Accurist…just pick one in your budget range…
I have a pair of Energy PTs that I mainly use for Flippin/Punching (because of the Flppin switch Randy mentioned)and HB Frogs…
But they both cast beautifully with lures

For those who own the Smoke, how do you like them? I am debating between the Smoke and a Curado for a new baitcast reel. I absolutely can’t get over how light of a reel the smoke is, but I have had nothing, but good luck with the Shimano line of reels. I also wouldn’t mind giving the Lew’s BB1 a try. Can anyone give their opinion on which route I should go? I have felt and held each reel and they all feel similar with the exception to the weight on the Smoke..

I have the Smoke and Lew’s Speed Spool TP1H. When I bought them a year ago they were similar in price (Smoke was $20 more) and both good on my medium action baitcasters that I use most. I like both reels a lot and would recommend either. Slight edge to the Smoke in terms of weight (and I like the looks!). Slight edge to Lew’s for feeling a little “crisper” when releasing the free spool and re-engaging it after casting to reel in.

I love my Smoke. The only complaint is it took me a while to get accurate with casting. I was over casting all the time being used to my other reels.

For what it’s worth, all I can add is I am VERY pleased so far with the amount of use we have put on all the baitcasting reels so far. Between April and May, I had 6 reels see more use than most average guys would see in over a year. Pounded walleyes, bass, Pike, whitebass, steelhead, Browns and sheepshead… and not a single failure. I just re-spooled a few of them and flipped the braid on the others. Just as smooth as when they came out of the box.

I still recommend that the ACS control would be external on the EXO’s. I change size/weight enough of baits frequently that it would be more suited to my style.

I too have both reels and after spending a week with both reels I was happier with my smokes. The EVA handles on the EXO got to me after a long while of use. Don’t get me wrong I loved the smoothness and solid feel of the EXO, but I find myself going to my smokes more often. My personal favorites are the last Energy PT style (silver with multi-color trim). I tend to pair my Smokes and EXOs on a heavier rod (Superlite PTs) to balance it out better for me. And use the Energy’s on my Smoke rods. I am not a total fan of the light as a feather feel. Just my opinion.

I wish they would have never discontinued the superlites…perfect cold weather rods

I’m a Shimano guy typically– Curado, Citica, Calcutta. I’m also an Al Lindner fan. He spoke highly of the EXO. I bought a new one on eBay. I’m not very impressed. The Curado and Citicas are smoother with fewer backlashes. For the money I expected more. The breaking system is the weak link in my opinion.