Fin Nor OFS95 - The Breaking Point

[shanker]

Alright guys, I opened up my Busted Fin Nor OFS95, the main gear broke, all the way around where it mounds to the reel handle.

I have taken some really good High-Res pics but left my Digi-Cam pic at work, I will get it tomorow.

The gear broke because it is CAST! NOT MACHINED! Fin-Nor needs to correct this issue ASAP, if they are expecting people to fish these reels with heavy drags, the gears need to be able to support the drag capabilities as well.

-Patrick

[mrbig1225]

Well there is a bass pro shop that opened near my house a few months ago and a guide by the name of jessi that works in the fishing department openly recommends them... whats funny is year or so back i remember going offshore and i see ppl with their stellas and over built penns... now i go offshore and sure enough fin-nors.... i mean i know these reels arent perfect but until recently you wouldnt hear about a 170 reel being compared or even doing what a 800 can do.. thats impressive in it self.

[lite-liner]

Tony (tngbmt on this board) took his OS-95 out to Venice last Oct, for
it's maiden trip. 5-7 casts out of the box, and the bail arm breaks, and falls off. even if the reels only cost $10, there's no warranty that can replace a
ruined charter trip. I will say that my Quantum Cabo PTS reels are about
the same price and are far lighter, smoother, and better built in the critical
areas than the Fin-Nor. I guess the reason I hate them so much is because
they pumped the product big-time, then no reports, because nobody was buying them. I was almost sold on them, & damn-near made myself the guinea-pig, until I saw Shanker's problem, then others who had bought one had problems, then Tony's deal in Venice.
Not to say that if Fin-Nor would go back & :
1.) lighten it in non-critical areas (body)
2.) strengthen it in Critical areas (gears)
3.) let the reel prove itself instead of hyping junk
-I may still buy one. ONE. but not until I see a higher % of good reviews than bad

if you'll search on this board, I have started many threads on possible
alternatives to the Hi-$$ Stellas. I love the Stella, just cant afford one.
I may have found it in the Quantum Cabo PTs, but only
time and pulling fish will tell
tight lines
-Brian

[gman]

Originally Posted by mrbig1225

Well there is a bass pro shop that opened near my house a few months ago and a guide by the name of jessi that works in the fishing department openly recommends them... whats funny is year or so back i remember going offshore and i see ppl with their stellas and over built penns... now i go offshore and sure enough fin-nors.... i mean i know these reels arent perfect but until recently you wouldnt hear about a 170 reel being compared or even doing what a 800 can do.. thats impressive in it self.

It shouldn't be compared, its not even in the same class as a stella. There is a market niche for people who want big capacity and drag at a low price and thats why there are so many Fin-nors out there.

I've heard the same stories of bails coming off, gears breaking from enough people I would run away. Far away. I would rather pay $10 more and get a Quantum Cabo or Quantum Boca. To be honest its all a mute point the new Shimano Saragosa looks and feels like a winner and for $300 dollars its a good deal. We will know soon when people test them out on the water

I always say to buy what you can afford but buy the best reel in that price range

[ichibahn]

That's Jon (Sportfisherman) on the broken Saltiga video.
He's member of this forum and some other forum also.
The Saltiga Z4500 broke off on the reel foot stem, because of spike on the drag system.
Good thing is Daiwa dealer replace it with new one after saw that video.

[seahunter]

A number of reports have shown the Spheros 14000 will pull fish all day up against the stella at one third the price..but these will have the upgrade kit put into them .
Improved drag,large bearing at handle housing or even a stella handle for a bit extra..

[gman]

Originally Posted by seahunter

A number of reports have shown the Spheros 14000 will pull fish all day up against the stella at one third the price..but these will have the upgrade kit put into them .
Improved drag,large bearing at handle housing or even a stella handle for a bit extra..

Good to hear, Im eagerly waiting on some user reviews of the new Shimano Saragosa. I played with it and it was sweeeet

[seahunter]

Quick search and this:

The all-new Shimano Saragosa spinning reels are by far the hottest new reel to come down the line from Shimano in some time! The Shimano Saragosa spinning reel brings tremendous features to the table wrapped up in a very affordable price tag. The Shimano Saragosa was designed by Shimano to offer customers who want a Stella but find them out of their price range. In my opinion, the Saragosa is every bit as slick as a Stella… it is very hard to tell the two reels apart in their feel and function. If you are looking for a super-high end spinning reel and you don't want to pay the price that goes with them, The new Shimano Saragosa will absolutely be the reel for you. I fell in love with the Saragosa at first glance… and since, I have been a huge fan! You will be very pleased with the new Shimano Saragosa spinning reels

[mrbig1225]

Went to FTU and the fishing show today and checked out the Shimano Saragosa, its pretty sweet.... but my only concerns with the reel is the arms that hold the bail arm are more flexible than i would think of a reel putting out that kinda of drag should be. Im sure that the spool it self would get scratched... not a huge deal just dont like that... for that kind of money to be honest with you i think the saltiga surf and Saltiga Blast are better choices in my opinion, especially if you are going for the upper end models.

[ksong]

Originally Posted by mrbig1225

Went to FTU and the fishing show today and checked out the Shimano Saragosa, its pretty sweet.... but my only concerns with the reel is the arms that hold the bail arm are more flexible that i would think of a reel putting out that kinda of drag should be. Im sure that the spool it self would get scratched... not a huge deal just dont like that... for that kind of money to be honest with you i think the saltiga surf and Saltiga Blast are better choices in my opinion, especially if you are going for the upper in models.

I was also wondering the use of Saltiga surf for tuna popping, but I couldn't get any review as nobody I know use the reels for popping.
When I checked the bail arm of both Stellla 20000 and Saragosa 18000F, the shape and material look almost same except Stella 20000 has a little bigger bail arm. As far as I know the Saragosa has cold forged alluminum spool with titanium lip.
I bought the reel just for testing. I am going to test the reel to the limit and post the results, negative or positive.

[mrbig1225]

Cool look forward to it... i know a few guys at FTU "Cute rate" that have used the saltiga surf for popping tuna, has said that it performed great, and due to its light weight easier to fight tuna.... however after speaking with diawa they indicated that the reel if fully capable but not recommended. I think the gentlemen stated that the gears arent made for that type of use on a regular basis. But he did say that saltiga blast is... my only concern for the saltiga blast is line capacity. IMO tho why would you need 33lbs of drag pressure for a surf reel.... that overkill. The average joe cant hold 25lbs of pressure for more than half and hour...