Abu Garcia REVO Beast X Gen4 Baitcaster Review

Reel Review

Tuned for Big Baits - Abu Garcia's REVO Beast X Casting Reel

Date:	9/15/20
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Abu Garcia
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.16 - GREAT

Introduction: Abu Garcia's Revo X lineup of low profile casting reels has become one of my go-to recommendations for those seeking a budget friendly performer. Available in three different gear ratios in both left and right hand retrieve and for only $99 a copy, it's no secret how it has become one of the brand's best sellers. At ICAST 2020, Abu extended the lineup by introducing a version of this reel tuned for larger baits. Here's our look at the brand new Revo Beast X.

Abu Garcia Revo Beast X Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	12lb /240yds
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	24.5 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	6.4:1
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	8.5 - 30
Weight	9.3 oz
Spool Weight	24 g
Handle Length	95 mm
Bearings	7HPCR + 1RB
Bearings per Knob	2 bushings
Levelwind Bearings	2 bearings
Rated Max Drag	24lbs
Origin	Made in Korea
MSRP	$179.95

Introducing the REVO Beast X

Impressions: With the introduction of this reel and a faster, Rocket enabled Beast for 2020, Abu Garcia is really extending the reach of their REVO Beast platform.

The Beast X shares the same size, shape, spool capacity as its pricier siblings, but in a slightly toned down package mimicking the look and feel the REVO X, all for a price $100 below that of the standard Beast. Got that? In other words, as its name would suggest, the Beast X is simply an Beast enabled REVO X.

Budget reel meets enthusiast stick

Real World Tests: The original REVO X may be a budget minded suite of reels, but if you read our review on that reel, you'll know it won an Editor's Choice Award - in fact, my choice. That to me, meant the Beast X had a lot to live up to. Normally, when putting together combos for review, I try to align budget tiers or at least come close. Considering my fondness for the REVO X platform, I threw that out the window when the Beast X arrived and after spooling it with some fresh Seaguar Smackdown 50lb braid, I matched it up right away with my Megabass F8-78X Mark 48 big bait stick.

The Beast X features Abu Garcia's Magtrax braking system

Casting: I tossed a variety of baits with this reel and put in the most time with an old faithful, Imakatsu's Husky Hasuzzy - a ten and a half inch, three ounce, three-piece, sub-surface wooden swimbait that behaves like an oversized crankbait. Casting this monster was no issue with the Beast X thanks to its very basic, no frills, but effective magnetic brake system (Magtrax). Adjustments are made via an external dial on the non-handle sideplate. This dial pushes a group of magnets towards or away from the spool. This side of the spool is a large, flat surface so the magnets act as a consistent force to moderate the spool's speed.

The magnets on the sideplate act against this large, flat surface on the spool

Retrieve: Abu outfits the Beast X with a brass gear cut to enable a 6.4:1 retrieve. This, together with the main gear's size translates to up to thirty inches of line pick up on a full spool. Naturally, when your line is out, you have less than a full spool, but it's roughly the same as a 7.5:1 retrieve on a standard size reel - give or take a decimal point.

The Beast X comes in just one retrieve ratio, 6.4:1

Similar to the smaller REVO X reels, the Beast X performs very smoothly enhanced, for me, by the proper sized knobs on the handle. I really dislike those oversized, mushroom shaped knobs found on the standard Beast reels. The Beast X comes with flat, no nonsense, I-shaped knobs like a low profile baitcasting reel should.

My favorite feature? Look, normal size and shaped knobs!

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