Samurai or Avenger?

[panger]

I'm toying with getting another reel. The Daiwa Samurai and Okuma Avenger seem to come up often here as suggestions for budget reels, but I'm not sure which one to go for. I've currently got a Daiwa Spinstar. I love the big ABS spool and the smooth drag, so I'm leaning toward the brand I know. What are you opinions? Vigourous debate between Daiwa and Okuma fans is encouraged.

[BreamShark]

Hey panger, Im thinking of getting a new reel and am tossing up between the two as well. I think i might get a samurai as well since they have a real nice drag for the price.
Rhys

[breamenrubber]

get the daiwa mate....your righ the spool is just designed perfectly for light braid!!!! The avenger is a good reel all the same but when its casting that means the most daiwa make a perfect reel. Also check out the regal-x range as after switching to that my cast distance improved dramatically as well as my frequency of line tangles on the spool when casting!!!!! Its just the better option!!!!!!!!!!!

[MATTY]

been using an AV15 for about 6 months.have no probs with line loop,using 4lb fireline.drag is very good for an average priced reel.
landed some decent fish(not bream) and hasn't missed a beat even after 2 dunkings in salt.how far do you realistically have to cast,never been a problem using right rod,line etc.all up a good value reel,5 year warranty to.

[Craig_S]

I've used the AV15 too and in most respects its not a bad reel at all.

The only negative comment I've got about it is that it doesnt lay line as neatly as a Stradic when retrieving real light weights, ie 1/32 or less. Mind you, you 3 or 4 for the price of the Stradic.

HI Panger
If U still want to get a daiwa at a budget, go up to a Caprice in the hardbody range. Bluewater in WA are selling theirs for $99 so I assume else where is about $10-20 more. The reason is I heard that the samurai's bearing are of low quality that tend to rust very easily. Ask Kingpin about his, he's had his bearings replaced twice. More bearings doesn't neccessarily means it's good.
Sorry, I got thinking cap back on again :D

[Lizardboy]

I've got a samurai and I'm happy with it, excellent drag. I haven't has a problem with rust and I used this reel heaps.
I got one of the blokes from Daiwa to service it and he used a lot more grease than the reel ussually comes with when you buy it. this is a good thing as it helps repells & minimises water getting in to the reel.

Lizard

[Bear]

Just to throw a spanner in the works. If you're looking at a 20, then check out the Okuma Fina range. Great reel for the price.

[panger]

Mmmmmm, close but it still looks like I'm leaning towards the Samurai. Guess I should go to a tackle store and see them side by side. Maybe they'll offer a deal one of them. Does anyone know what these reels would go for at the BM store?

[Dave W]

It's no secret I have an association with Okuma, but both my Avengers have copped an absolute flogging (the 20 has probably pulled in 200+ Bream) and still do the job just fine :)

I've personally seen the bearings from a Samurai that has been used in salt a heap (one of my regular fishing buddies reels)....... suffice to say he borrows my spare Avenger a lot.

At the end of the day make up your own mind ;)

Cheers,

[donfish]

I have 2 x 7i samuari reels and they are both going back to the manufacturer on thursday.And i dont want them back.

donfish

[BreamShark]

Hey donfish, Whats wrong with the samurai???:confused: I had a go of my friends samurai and hes had it for 6 months and hasnt had any problems with it.

[panger]

Great, this is the stuff I wanted to hear about before buying the reel.

Donfish, were your reel problems caused by the bearings as well?

I've also just seen an ad for a Gladiator spinning reel in a mag. I think they're under $100, 3 year warranty, 9 BBs, aluminium spool plus 2 spare graphite ones. Might be checking out that one too.

[beefaman]

I have an Avenger AV 20 and have not had a problem. I do lots of wading and rock hopping and it has held up well considering the punishment I have given it. Not one problem with loops or knots either, I use 4ld fireline. My mate has a 7i and our casting distance is identical using the same weight jighead;)
Just buy what you feel comfortable with, after all personal satisfaction means stress free fishing......
Must admit, the 5yr warranty swayed me on my decision ;)

[DaveH]

I purchased a Samurai last October and have rusted 2 bearings. I only used it in fresh chasing bass and submerged it once fully. It's put in alot of casts. I've since faxed, emailed and rung Daiwa for them to have a look at it, no response. I may have bought a crap batch or what ever, but another mate has had the same problem with the same reel. his reel is beginning to show wear after 3 months!

I had a Regal Z as the last reel and that lasted 3 years before the problem arose. Annoying stuff that. I'm probably sounding like I'm having a winge but to purchase mid priced reels like that and have them break down with no backup (as yet) basically sucks!

Oh sorry where were we... I'd go the Avenger, or better still the Epix.

[panger]

Geez I'm glad started this thread. The Samurai bearing problem seems to be a little too common for me to be comfortable with. Guess I'll be going the Avenger. Luckily my little spinstar doesn't seem to have any of these bearing problems.

Thanks for all the comments.

[BreamShark]

With the Samurai you have to wipe it down with a wet towel instead of hosing it down or whatever because there are two holes which can let water into the bearings. I think this might be why your having trouble with the bearings.

Cheers

Hey Rhyss

is it possible to seal those holes?

[BreamShark]

I actually dont own a Samurai so I dont know where the holes are located but if they were in a place that is easy to reach you could seal it with some tape or putty???

[Lizardboy]

I agree with breamshark,
I always lock up the drag and very lightly spray the reel with the hose, before whiping it down with a rag. A wet rag, then a dry rag would probably be the best idea. I'm not sure if you guys are talking about water getting in throught the drag, because that's what the extra grease the daiwa guy put in for me when he serviced my reel was supposed to do I think.

Lizard

[Plastic_Surgeon]

I've a Samurai 1500 and a 4000. I agree that they are high maintenance reels, but I will also say they perform very well.
I spent an afternoon chasing tailor with the 4000 and it was casting raiders an absolute mile, late in the day though there were clear signs of surface rust on the reel.
Now that's not hard to fix but whether you want that on what is effectively a new reel I don't know. I bought the Samurai after having a Regal Z for years and it was faultless.

The Samurais were $75 (DohDohDohDohDoh special) when I bought them but now I see them for $99. To me that's more than they're worth and I'd get one of the marked down Caprice reels. I've not used an Okuma.

[Evileye]

okumas rule so you made a good choice getting the av, the daiwas are good but i think okumas are the best and im going to keep buying them.:cool:

Hey Guys. Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I was at Rottnest giving my Samuria an absolute flogging!!!
The Samurias have two holes in the rotor, so if you spray them, water will get into the bearings!!! It isn't through the drag, its through the rotor. I have had hassles with the bearings in mine, and needless to say I am constantly servicing my reels. The drag system on these reels are awesome. In the last month, the reel has caught prolly close to 50 bream (many well ver a kilo!) , and in the last two days, caught over 100 fish (tailor over 2kilo!!!, read the rotto thread!).
As dissapointed with the bearings on this reel as i was... the reel held up briliantly and the drag has been superb. With a lil maintainance, these reels are awesome! And for under 100 bucks, they're hard to beat!
HTH

Dave

[panger]

As much as I like the Daiwa spool and drag, the Samurai still sounds like too much maintenance for me. Those holes in the rotor sound bad. I'd prefer something that will take a little punishment just in case the worst happens. The Avenger is cheaper as well. Just have to decide whether to get a 15 or 20 now......