We took a quick look at the Quantum EXO baitcast reel a few days ago, but made not mention of the EXO spinning reel. Both are extremely impressive in design and technology and both are must haves if you are a fishing enthusiast. The EXO spinning reels will retail for about $200 USD, putting them near the top of Quantums impressive spinning reel lineup – below the Tour Edition PTi and above the Energy PTi series which I currently own and absolutely adore.
Besides its good looks, the real selling feature of this EXO reel is its rediculously light weight. Any fisherman who spends all day on the water knows just how grueling it can be. The reel alone is 3.9 oz less than the equivalent size Tour Edition and Energy PTi spinning reels. Now that doesn’t sound like much, but there isn’t another quality reel out there that is so light and at the end of the day you’ll feel the difference.
Features
Stacked ceramic front-adjustable drag system
Polymer-stainless hybrid PT bearings
LMS™ line management system
Extra-hard PT gears
Lightweight, machined aluminum crank handle
Continuous Anti-Reverse™
“Metal Where it Matters”. That’s the thinking behind our exoskeletal hybrid construction. It combines a special, ultra-rigid aluminum alloy in load bearing areas with a lightweight composite that reduces weight in non-critical locations by 50%. This allows us to build the lightest possible frame with absolutely no sacrifice in strength. In fact, it’s 38% stronger than magnesium and 6 times stronger than a graphite composite frame.
I know how much weight can make a difference. I got the Quantum Energy PTI-A and it’s MUCH heavier than my domestic chinese reel (which was 95% plastic, but worked well for at least 5-10 years). I just got a wrist surgery so I can definitely feel the strain at the end of the day.
But I was just wondering, what defines a good spinning reel from a medium one? ball-bearing durability and smoothness? good drag system? and weight?
Durability for sure, typically the cheap plastic parts in lower priced reels will not last as long. The bearings are definitely key for smoothness of a reel. The drag is less important to me, but Quantum is known for a strong drag system.
Hah! just read over their contest rules for getting your hands on a free Quantum EXO, and it says you’ve gotta be a permanent resident of the US!! sigh… oh well!
I bought the PTi20 Tour Edition Reel and it’s sooooo smooth and light with the skeletal handle and stuff, i can’t fault it. It cost me an arm and a leg because they weren’t available in England so i paid top dollar in the end because it was a high end Reel, postage charges and customs charges on top!…I wouldn’t change it for any reel though and i can’t see a better one coming out for absolute years, it really is that good!