Thread: Why new model 500 Shimano reels suck !

Anybody own a Shimano Vanford 500 ?
How do you like it ?
Do you think it’s worth $250 ?

i bought the shimano soare xr 500 from digitaka last december.
used it once so far and love the reel, it was around 200.00

Originally Posted by Shru63

i bought the shimano soare xr 500 from digitaka last december.
used it once so far and love the reel, it was around 200.00

I looked up the specs on the shimano soare xr 500 and that looks like a reel I could fall in love with . 4.7/1 gear ratio , shallow spool hold 115 yds of 2# test.
Out of stock at the moment but I’ll be keeping an eye out for them to get back in stock at digitaka.

Originally Posted by Shru63

i bought the shimano soare xr 500 from digitaka last december.
used it once so far and love the reel, it was around 200.00

I looked up the specs on the shimano soare xr 500 and that looks like a reel I could fall in love with . 4.7/1 gear ratio , shallow spool hold 115 yds of 2# test.
Out of stock at the moment but I’ll be keeping an eye out for them to get back in stock at digitaka.

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Anybody own a Shimano Vanford 500 ?
How do you like it ?
Do you think it’s worth $250 ?

I have never fished a Vanford 500. I have fished a Vanford 1000 and it is a nice reel. But I do not think it is worth 250 dollars. I say this not because it is a bad reel but in my opinion there are better reels for the money spent. The Soare XR is one of those. While I don’t fish 500 series I would have to think fishing a reel that weighs only 135 grams would be a hoot.

Regards


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I found a SOARE BB 22 SOARE BB 500SPG at Digitaka and ordered one . Same gear ratio 4.7/1 and shallow spool .
I’ll let you know when I get it .

My opinion and input. I’ve just gotten through with a search for a better than average 500 series reel. Weight was a factor as well as shallow spool and gear ratio and bearing count. My first choice was the vanford 500s but looking everywhere I haven’t found one in stock yet. The Soare XR has many good reports and I was on board with one of those. I then found a Regal 1000s which are also hard to find under $240 for over $100 less than that and I couldn’t say no. That still doesn’t solve my good 500s search but to end this I’ll say that the Vanford is still my first choice and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a Soare XR, both near $200 or a little better. I’ve handled the Sahara and find them very heavy and not as smooth as I was looking for. That’s by feel and not specs. Using that info and checking other specs I didn’t find any others to compare. With Abu Garcia’s newer reels getting so much good press I’d be into handling one to see how well they are if they have any offerings in the 500 class. Good luck in your search and I’m watching to see the outcome of it.

Thanks Skeet , I just got a tracking number on the Soare BB 22 500SPG , but the delivery date hasn’t been updated.
This will be my first shallow spool 500 reel . I like the slower retrieve , so it shouldn’t have the issues I’m having with the latest Sahara and Nasci 500 reels .
I would have considered Soare SR 500 but it’s out of stock and about $100 more , if it were in stock .
The new reel should arrive the first of next week Digitaker ships them out quickly if they’re in stock . And they usually have the best prices .
I’ll let you know what it’s like when I get it .