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The Search For One... Megabass's Chimera Evoluzion
| Date: |
9/28/10 |
| Tackle type: |
Rod |
| Manufacturer: |
Megabass |
| Reviewer: |
Cal |
Total Score: 7.83 -
GOOD
Introduction: Certainly no Enthusiast "Search for One" journey would be complete without a look into Megabass. With the progress we've seen this year from Evergreen International, does Megabass still have what it takes to keep our interest? Annual shakeups to their lineup and inconsistent supply of product - even with North American distribution already in place - doesn't help matters. No, in this era of immediate gratification, waiting months on end for a rod that MIGHT be produced is just not acceptable.
Introducing the Megabass F5-69XDti Chimera Evoluzion.
Just the same, several years ago in our Enthusiast Rod Supercast Shootout, Megabass's Elseil took top honors in a group of four rods that turned out to be more medium powered than medium heavy as we had assumed from each rods' manufacturer's rating. This year, we look at a stick that is one step higher in power than the Elseil and has been in the Megabass Evoluzion series for just two short years. Can the F5-69XDti Chimera Evoluzion pick up where the Elseil left off? Let's find out!
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Megabass F5-69XDti Chimera Evoluzion Specifications |
|
Material |
Megabass XDti Graphite |
|
Length |
6'9" |
|
Line Wt. |
10 - 25lb |
|
Lure Wt. |
3/8 - 1oz. |
|
Pieces |
1 |
|
Guides |
8 Guides + Tip Top
(Fuji Ti/SiC) |
|
Power Rating |
Medium Heavy |
|
Taper |
Progressive Fast to Slow |
|
Rod Weight |
5.4 oz |
| Origin |
Unknown |
|
MSRP |
$655 |
Impressions:
With so many rods to fish this year, it feels like an eternity since I last fished a Megabass stick. The reality is it really hasn't been that long but one thing that is always refreshing with Megabass is the fact they do not take the responsibility of delivering a high end rod that LOOKS high end lightly. As one might expect, the Chimera Evoluzion does not disappoint in fit and finish and in this category Megabass simply has no rival. Others try, and many attempt to duplicate what they see in a Megabass stick, but I'm sorry, it's not even close.
Other companies try, but no one can match the intricate detailing of Megabass.
While the finish of a Megabass product rarely disappoints, how about the fit of the Chimera Evoluzion? The stick weighs in on the heavy side at 5.4 ounces for a six foot nine stick but balances out at six inches above the mid-line of the reel seat. Very respectable actually, but our TSFO baseline rod has it beat weighing in at only 4.8 ounces with a balancing point of only five inches above the reel seat. The comparable balance of the two rods is further separated by the Chimera's balancing torque number of 0.15 ftlbs versus our TSFO GLX 2000's balancing torque of 0.11 ftlbs.
Lab Results for Megabass F5-69XDti Chimera Evoluzion |
Model |
Avg RoD (2-32 oz) |
Taper |
Measured Weight (oz) |
Balance Point (inches) |
Balancing Torque (ftlbs) |
| Megabass F5-69XDti Chimera Evoluzion |
1.41 |
Progressive Fast - Slow |
5.4 |
6 |
0.15 |
| MBR783C GLX2000 |
1.72 |
Fast |
4.8 |
5 |
|
| TSFO 26 Rod Avg |
1.69 |
-- |
4.92 |
7.65 |
|
The Lab:
Pure numbers aside, while holding them in hand, the two sticks are actually very close in feel. So how do they stack up in actual power? Is the Chimera Evoluzion really a "medium heavy" stick? Fastest way for us to find out is an appointment with the RoD WRACK.
Fig 1: This chart illustrates the deflection characteristics of the Chimera Evoluzion as compared to that of our 2010 TSFO baseline rod. Note that the Chimera Evo (yellow curve) is slightly more powerful overall than the GLX2000.
As illustrated in the above chart, the Chimera Evo is just a touch more powerful than our TSFO baseline stick. Looking at the rod under load on our WRACK also reveals a more moderate than fast taper - a very similar taper to what we recall our F4-610XDtiElseil having.
Megabass's Evoluzion series features exotic metal blends in the blank.
Field Tests: The Chimera Evoluzion has been with us since it first came out two years ago but thanks to our previous years' review themes, I've not had the opportunity to really fish it until this year. When The Search For One rolled around, I was genuinely excited to have the opportunity to really put this stick through the paces.
One thing missing on the majority of JDM sticks is the hook keeper. We keep a healthy supply of Fuji EZ Keepers on hand for just such an occasion.
Appropriately enough, the Chimera Evo has spent time with various incarnations of the Ito Monoblock reels both Original and Bespoke variants as well as my favorite with this rod, the Daiwa Steez. All of these reels feel fine on this stick.
Out on the water, we fished the Chimera Evo with a number of reels, but it matches up best with a Daiwa Steez.
Next Section: Casting the Chimera |
