Tony: I will reply with what I believe to be true based on my own research, and await correction or additional information from other, possibly more knowledgable individuals:
20,000 FA-made for U.S. market. (6-1 gear ratio) Comes with large capacity spool. (No spare). U.S. warranty.
10,000--lower (4.5/1? gear ratio) FA-same as above, but with lower capacity spool. Some say this is an advantage in casting, not necessarily because of the capacity, but possibly because of the shape of the spool lip. Others, seemingly knowledgable as well, dispute that. I have wondered if there might be a difference, not only in spool capacity but in spool diameter, but I have no knowledge of that.
20,000/10,000 SW-made for the Japanese market but available through a limited number of U.S. dealers. (I bought mine as well as my 8,000WS, from Anglers Pro Shop) Appears to be identical to the FA model. Comes with spare spool and two handles for roughly the same price as the U.S. models. (I cannot speak about Ebay because I do not use them.) The spare spool on this model is marked "Stella 16,000" and has smaller capacity than the regular spool, and is, I think, closer to the 10,000 in capacity.
Speculation on several boards is that new ones are coming out soon--first for the Japanese markets, with a delay of usually a few months at least before they hit the U.S.
I own the 20,000 SW, and it is my understanding from the dealer from whom I purchased it (Randy at Anglers Pro Shop) that the parts are interchangeable with FA parts. So even though I can't/won't send it back to Japan for servicing, I am betting I won't wear it out or break it prior to the end of warranty, at which time, I can have it worked on for a fee, here.
Russ
20,000 FA-made for U.S. market. (6-1 gear ratio) Comes with large capacity spool. (No spare). U.S. warranty.
10,000--lower (4.5/1? gear ratio) FA-same as above, but with lower capacity spool. Some say this is an advantage in casting, not necessarily because of the capacity, but possibly because of the shape of the spool lip. Others, seemingly knowledgable as well, dispute that. I have wondered if there might be a difference, not only in spool capacity but in spool diameter, but I have no knowledge of that.
20,000/10,000 SW-made for the Japanese market but available through a limited number of U.S. dealers. (I bought mine as well as my 8,000WS, from Anglers Pro Shop) Appears to be identical to the FA model. Comes with spare spool and two handles for roughly the same price as the U.S. models. (I cannot speak about Ebay because I do not use them.) The spare spool on this model is marked "Stella 16,000" and has smaller capacity than the regular spool, and is, I think, closer to the 10,000 in capacity.
Speculation on several boards is that new ones are coming out soon--first for the Japanese markets, with a delay of usually a few months at least before they hit the U.S.
I own the 20,000 SW, and it is my understanding from the dealer from whom I purchased it (Randy at Anglers Pro Shop) that the parts are interchangeable with FA parts. So even though I can't/won't send it back to Japan for servicing, I am betting I won't wear it out or break it prior to the end of warranty, at which time, I can have it worked on for a fee, here.
Russ
