So, I am "lucky" enough to see plenty of reels come across my bench (some bench - its actually the top drawers of my Snap-on top cab, with a towel across them), LOL! Most of these are in pretty dire shape, but I get more than few every season that are brandy-new, with a request for some sort of minor upgrade or other, or more usually, a new-reel "commissioning" for the happy new owner.
As an aside, its very important to give any new reel (especially a small FW-intended bait caster) a full disassembly and proper SW lube job, prior to it seeing service. If nothing else, pulling all the external screws and lubing their respective threads is paramount to being able to take the reel apart at the end of the season servicing.
Anyway, this time its the new Quantum Accurist S3 - one of the increasingly widening group of "$99 Specials" that are now becoming available to us, from most of the big players in the reel business. I have to say, based on prior somewhat negative experiences working on Quantum reels, this one is (finally) a serious attempt at putting out a good quality product, for relatively modest coin.
Before we get into it, a read-through of TackleTour.com's latest evaluation might be a good thing: Quantum Accurist S3 Casting Reel Product Review
Good stuff from those guys, as usual.
So here's the 6.3:1 left-handed version, as given to me for a handle upgrade and a general season-starting lube job:
Its actually quite striking in person - snow white with black accents and bold multi-color graphics - but I've seen plenty of hot-looking reels that just couldn't make the cut, over the long haul. So a more discriminating examination is called for.
First, the form factor is really comfortable, nice and compact and fits in my average-sized hand like it was made for me. Turning the handle is liquid smooth, no geary-ness, no rotational noise, just nice, quiet, and tight. I can't say that it will remain smooth after a season or two, but it certainly has a good start at it.
Taking it apart was a little tricky, the gear-side plate features a flipping switch, which engages with a very solid click. Pretty good, unlike what I've seen in the past from some other manufacturers. The switch itself is made from plastic - and I wonder how long before the rather stiff actuating spring wears out its tiny hole in the switch arm - but that remains to be seen. Might not be a problem at all. Its a little nit-picky to mention it, but the thought did cross my mind, on disassembly.
If you are not aware of the advantage that a flipping switch offers - when it is engaged a push down of the free spool thumbar will pay out line, with the gears still engaged - just the thing for dropping back to a near-sighted or non-committal fluke that just missed your bait. Get the hit, press the bar and line feeds out under your thumb. Release the bar and the reel is instantly in gear, without having to turn the handle to re-engage the gear train. Very handy. Nifty, even.
Both the main and pinon gears are made from solid brass, and are plenty beefy, relative to some other of its competitors. Not as large diameter-wise as the new Revo4 gears, but plenty robust for any reasonable use that we would put it through. A brass main gear is a welcome upgrade from the aluminum gears I've seen in several of Quantum's older-gen low-pros that I've had the displeasure of working on in the past. So that's a big plus, right there.
Take a look:
Another "big up" is the internal free spool mechanism parts being made of solid metal, rather than the plastic-fantastic stuff that Abu used in their Revo4 series, not to mention every single small Shimano and Daiwa low-pro reel I've ever worked on. To me this is excellent, double-especially so for the thumbar kick lever, which is the first part to go on nearly every other bait caster. Like I said "big ups" on this:
That Quantum put those metal parts in there, while also giving you a metal frame, and all coming in at 7.3oz, is salutary, to say the least. Where they did save a bit of weight is in the gearbox side plate. Most other reels in this class offer a metal side plate, normally made of aluminum - this reel however goes with that wonder material, "space age" plastic for both side plates. The supposed idea of a metal side plate is that under pressure it will deform less than any plastic plate - helping keep the gears aligned and running smooth on a power retrieve. Meh, I don't really see this as a major issue (Especially at this price point), as its the frame, not the side plate that takes the majority of the torsional load stresses, for the most part. And like I wrote, this reel does have an aluminum frame. Good to go.
The drag system is multi-disked, with two of the friction washers made of a material similar to the original Abu round-reel washers, and one very large one made of woven carbon-fiber. Again, a big step up from most every small Shimano and Daiwa low-pro. This multi-disk drag thing can generate impressive stopping power, akin to the new Revo4, and far ahead of single disk Shimanos and Daiwas. So that's another good thing. It looked to me that Quantum applied a proper amount of drag grease, which is nice in a reel that comes in at this price level. While I'm not a fan of greased washers in a small baitcaster, as it usually kills top end drag performance, trading stopping power for smoothness, in this reel this is NOT an issue - there's plenty of drag power to be had.
The owner of this particular reel wanted a larger handle than what the factory provided, and I don't disagree. The factory piece is puny. I would go with a big Ray's Studio Carbon-fiber double paddle myself, but he wanted a single large knob. Meh. So, hitting my regular AliExpress vendors, I came up with this one:
It goes for very short coin, but does not include the nut-keeper plate. Luckily the Revo4 plate is an exact fit for this handle. I had one in stock, and so on it went. Perfecto!
This particular handle is very light, with a good-sized EVA knob and a thin-ish aluminum handle shank. I'm no fan of this sort of handle on such a tiny reel - as it completely unbalances it. But I do realize I'm in the minority on this, so I've stop my proselytizing and just go with the flow - when asked for such an, um, abomination. I just look for the lightest one I can find - and so far, this one is it.
So what does this all mean? What else did I see? First, like the $99 Revo-X Winch (which I think is this Accurist's nearest competitor), it features a push-button release of its right side plate (this is a lefty reel, remember). And this reel, like the Revo-X does NOT retain its side plate, so care must be taken to not accidentally press the button and so drop the plate overboard. That would suck.
Also, it is not available in a gear ratio slower than 6.3:1, which is not really to my liking, but probably will be fine for the majority of users. For most this is probably a non-issue anyway.
That Quantum included a very solid-feeling flipping switch can be a positive competition lock-out feature, as no other reel in this price range offers one. Not that I know of, anyway. Many feel these flipping switches are super-useful, and who am I to argue?
One potential problem for we that fish in the salt is the teeny-tiny ball bearing on the far end of the levelwind worm gear. This requires re-oiling after every single trip - as these bearings are super-exposed, and WILL rust-seize in no time at all if not carefully tended to. What I would do were this my own reel is to install a full ceramic bearing in its place, but those can push $25, even from China, so that's an upgrade that most probably will not go for, on a $99 reel.
On a final note, I am not really a fan of Quantum's inability to provide replacement parts for its earlier reels. On several occasions I have had to hand Quantums back to their owners unrepaired, as the parts just weren't available. Maybe this has changed, as I haven't had a Quantum come in for service in a few off-seasons.
Overall, despite the above nit-picks, this is a very nice effort for the relatively modest money Quantum is asking. Careful searching can net you one for a bit less than the $99 ask - so shop wisely, if you do want to give this reel a shot - it seems like a good effort to me - and very worthy of consideration in its price-class.
Oh, and did I mention that this reel is also available in Red, Blue and Hot-ass green (though only in the 7:1 gear ratio)? Well, it is, if you're so inclined!
As an aside, its very important to give any new reel (especially a small FW-intended bait caster) a full disassembly and proper SW lube job, prior to it seeing service. If nothing else, pulling all the external screws and lubing their respective threads is paramount to being able to take the reel apart at the end of the season servicing.
Anyway, this time its the new Quantum Accurist S3 - one of the increasingly widening group of "$99 Specials" that are now becoming available to us, from most of the big players in the reel business. I have to say, based on prior somewhat negative experiences working on Quantum reels, this one is (finally) a serious attempt at putting out a good quality product, for relatively modest coin.
Before we get into it, a read-through of TackleTour.com's latest evaluation might be a good thing: Quantum Accurist S3 Casting Reel Product Review
Good stuff from those guys, as usual.
So here's the 6.3:1 left-handed version, as given to me for a handle upgrade and a general season-starting lube job:
Its actually quite striking in person - snow white with black accents and bold multi-color graphics - but I've seen plenty of hot-looking reels that just couldn't make the cut, over the long haul. So a more discriminating examination is called for.
First, the form factor is really comfortable, nice and compact and fits in my average-sized hand like it was made for me. Turning the handle is liquid smooth, no geary-ness, no rotational noise, just nice, quiet, and tight. I can't say that it will remain smooth after a season or two, but it certainly has a good start at it.
Taking it apart was a little tricky, the gear-side plate features a flipping switch, which engages with a very solid click. Pretty good, unlike what I've seen in the past from some other manufacturers. The switch itself is made from plastic - and I wonder how long before the rather stiff actuating spring wears out its tiny hole in the switch arm - but that remains to be seen. Might not be a problem at all. Its a little nit-picky to mention it, but the thought did cross my mind, on disassembly.
If you are not aware of the advantage that a flipping switch offers - when it is engaged a push down of the free spool thumbar will pay out line, with the gears still engaged - just the thing for dropping back to a near-sighted or non-committal fluke that just missed your bait. Get the hit, press the bar and line feeds out under your thumb. Release the bar and the reel is instantly in gear, without having to turn the handle to re-engage the gear train. Very handy. Nifty, even.
Both the main and pinon gears are made from solid brass, and are plenty beefy, relative to some other of its competitors. Not as large diameter-wise as the new Revo4 gears, but plenty robust for any reasonable use that we would put it through. A brass main gear is a welcome upgrade from the aluminum gears I've seen in several of Quantum's older-gen low-pros that I've had the displeasure of working on in the past. So that's a big plus, right there.
Take a look:
Another "big up" is the internal free spool mechanism parts being made of solid metal, rather than the plastic-fantastic stuff that Abu used in their Revo4 series, not to mention every single small Shimano and Daiwa low-pro reel I've ever worked on. To me this is excellent, double-especially so for the thumbar kick lever, which is the first part to go on nearly every other bait caster. Like I said "big ups" on this:
That Quantum put those metal parts in there, while also giving you a metal frame, and all coming in at 7.3oz, is salutary, to say the least. Where they did save a bit of weight is in the gearbox side plate. Most other reels in this class offer a metal side plate, normally made of aluminum - this reel however goes with that wonder material, "space age" plastic for both side plates. The supposed idea of a metal side plate is that under pressure it will deform less than any plastic plate - helping keep the gears aligned and running smooth on a power retrieve. Meh, I don't really see this as a major issue (Especially at this price point), as its the frame, not the side plate that takes the majority of the torsional load stresses, for the most part. And like I wrote, this reel does have an aluminum frame. Good to go.
The drag system is multi-disked, with two of the friction washers made of a material similar to the original Abu round-reel washers, and one very large one made of woven carbon-fiber. Again, a big step up from most every small Shimano and Daiwa low-pro. This multi-disk drag thing can generate impressive stopping power, akin to the new Revo4, and far ahead of single disk Shimanos and Daiwas. So that's another good thing. It looked to me that Quantum applied a proper amount of drag grease, which is nice in a reel that comes in at this price level. While I'm not a fan of greased washers in a small baitcaster, as it usually kills top end drag performance, trading stopping power for smoothness, in this reel this is NOT an issue - there's plenty of drag power to be had.
The owner of this particular reel wanted a larger handle than what the factory provided, and I don't disagree. The factory piece is puny. I would go with a big Ray's Studio Carbon-fiber double paddle myself, but he wanted a single large knob. Meh. So, hitting my regular AliExpress vendors, I came up with this one:
It goes for very short coin, but does not include the nut-keeper plate. Luckily the Revo4 plate is an exact fit for this handle. I had one in stock, and so on it went. Perfecto!
This particular handle is very light, with a good-sized EVA knob and a thin-ish aluminum handle shank. I'm no fan of this sort of handle on such a tiny reel - as it completely unbalances it. But I do realize I'm in the minority on this, so I've stop my proselytizing and just go with the flow - when asked for such an, um, abomination. I just look for the lightest one I can find - and so far, this one is it.
So what does this all mean? What else did I see? First, like the $99 Revo-X Winch (which I think is this Accurist's nearest competitor), it features a push-button release of its right side plate (this is a lefty reel, remember). And this reel, like the Revo-X does NOT retain its side plate, so care must be taken to not accidentally press the button and so drop the plate overboard. That would suck.
Also, it is not available in a gear ratio slower than 6.3:1, which is not really to my liking, but probably will be fine for the majority of users. For most this is probably a non-issue anyway.
That Quantum included a very solid-feeling flipping switch can be a positive competition lock-out feature, as no other reel in this price range offers one. Not that I know of, anyway. Many feel these flipping switches are super-useful, and who am I to argue?
One potential problem for we that fish in the salt is the teeny-tiny ball bearing on the far end of the levelwind worm gear. This requires re-oiling after every single trip - as these bearings are super-exposed, and WILL rust-seize in no time at all if not carefully tended to. What I would do were this my own reel is to install a full ceramic bearing in its place, but those can push $25, even from China, so that's an upgrade that most probably will not go for, on a $99 reel.
On a final note, I am not really a fan of Quantum's inability to provide replacement parts for its earlier reels. On several occasions I have had to hand Quantums back to their owners unrepaired, as the parts just weren't available. Maybe this has changed, as I haven't had a Quantum come in for service in a few off-seasons.
Overall, despite the above nit-picks, this is a very nice effort for the relatively modest money Quantum is asking. Careful searching can net you one for a bit less than the $99 ask - so shop wisely, if you do want to give this reel a shot - it seems like a good effort to me - and very worthy of consideration in its price-class.
Oh, and did I mention that this reel is also available in Red, Blue and Hot-ass green (though only in the 7:1 gear ratio)? Well, it is, if you're so inclined!
