My take on the Tranx 200? Nice enough piece, but still don't see this as a ton more than a standard Curado K with some seals and a few upgrades. I do like that the pinion yoke carrier has been upgraded to stamped SS, rather than the pot metal version Shimano used in the Curado. But its like you said in an earlier post on another thread, if you've been unable to kill a basic Daiwa Fuego in however many seasons you've owned it, I would think the Curado K would last at least as long - and probably much longer. So I don't see the Tranx as something I would add to my arsenal.
On a related note, a good buddy just bought the new Abu Revo Beast 40, with the 5.8:1 ratio. I would think probably one of the first that John at Trophy Tackle has sold. Talk about a solid little reel. Very nicely done by Doyo, errr, I mean Abu.
Its another heavy weight in its size class, at like 9.5oz to my same Gen4 Revo Winch's 7.5oz. But that's not really the way to view this reel (and the Tranx 200, for that matter). Instead of thinking of the Beast 40 as an overweight Revo Winch, it would be proper to think of it as an pocket-sized Revo Toro 50 - with a big weight savings.
I had my buddy's Revo Beast apart this weekend - to give it this season's initial "Lepre-lubing." I was very impressed with its overall solidness, and complete lack of any looseness whatsoever. No wiggly thumbar as in the Gen3 Revos, no in-and-out play of the handle shaft, no sloppiness in the double knobs - just a solid, solid piece.
What I'm not wild about is that the pinon yoke carrier is not made of metal, rather, some type of plastic. Also, the gear engaging kick-lever is some kind of POM or nylon, with a metal facing to defeat wear at the kick washer. Neither of these items being made of plastic are particularly confidence-inspiring, not to me anyway. Now I have no idea if these items will fail down the line somewhere, but geez, for a 9.5oz weight, couldn't they save the weight somewhere else and give us metal at those two points? I mean, this is SUPPOSED to be a heavy-duty, pocket-sized power-up reel.
But to look at it another way, the levelwind worm on the current-gen Curados is made of plastic too, and I haven't heard complaint #1 about any of those failing. So, what do I know? LOL!
Now, this is only my opinion, but if you are going to go with a true heavy-duty small bait caster, I would pass on BOTH of those, and look for a gently-used Daiwa Pluton 2020. Or if you want still smaller, the newer (black) Ryoga 1015 would be the reel(s) to buy. Those are really SERIOUS pieces, and can be had in excellent pre-owned condition for around the same money as the new Revo Beast, and not much more than the Tranx 200. (in the case of the new 1015, I guess maybe it would be a bit more). Both of these reels have solid aluminum side plates on BOTH sides, and frames that can hold up a tank. Well, if not a Abrams, probably a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. They also offer a reel foot really recessed into those frames, so that the resulting thumb angle needed to press the free spool thumbar is nowhere near what it is in say an Abu 5500 or Calcutta whatever. So they're kinda like semi-low pro reels. Also, nicer to palm than most any round reel.
I own the older Pluton 2020, so I know of what I speak. Massive gearing in it. Killer drag system. A beautiful piece of Japanese reel design. IMO, it blows away all three of the reels discussed in this post. Though it comes in at a Sumo-class 12.3oz with line aboard, again, you have to consider what it is, and what its not. It certainly ain't a feather-class finesse BFS bait caster, that's for sure! But it can sub for a Newell 220, Penn Fathom, Daiwa Saltist or other such reel, because it punches WAAAY above its class. Here's mine, wearing its optional Daiwa double knob power handle. Just a KILLER small reel for jigging or clam bellying bass - in a very small package).
I love this reel to death. (But then I do prefer big, heavy SUVs, inboard boats, and "curvy-er" girls as well , so again, what do I know?)
