Which Shimano Chronarch is the best choice when it comes to features,
performance, and price?
Date: |
6/2/03 |
Tackle type: |
Reel |
Manufacturer: |
Shimano |
Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.83 (Shimano SF)
Introduction: Shimano's Chronarchs are simply the most reliable and
refined baitcasters on the market. This top selling family of reels has become
an angler favorite, but with three flavors to pick from, standard, Super Free,
and Magnesium, which Chronarch is right for you?
Shimano
Chronarch 100A Specifications |
Line Capacity |
10/150, 12/130, 14/110 |
Gear Ratio |
6.2:1 |
Weight |
7.9 (oz) |
Bearings |
5BB, 1RB |
Additional Features |
Aluminum frame, Graphite Sideplate, Aluminum high capacity deep spool, Super
Stopper, VBS |
MSRP |
$194.95 |
Shimano
Chronarch SF Specifications |
Line Capacity |
10/130, 12/120, 14/100 |
Gear Ratio |
6.3:1 |
Weight |
8.4 (oz) |
Bearings |
5BB, 1RB |
Additional Features |
Aluminum frame, Aluminum Sideplate, Aluminum Wiffle Spool, Cold Forged
handle, Super Free, Super Stopper, VBS |
MSRP |
$229.99 |
Shimano
Chronarch MG
Specifications |
Line Capacity |
10/130, 12/120, 14/100 |
Gear Ratio |
6.3:1 |
Weight |
6.95 (oz) |
Bearings |
4BB, 1RB |
Additional Features |
Magnesium frame, Magnesium Sideplate, Aluminum Wiffle Spool, Cold Forged
handle, Super Free, Super Stopper, VBS |
MSRP |
$299.99 |
Impressions: Why are Chronarch's so popular for tournament and weekend
anglers alike? The answer is the level of refinement and reliability. These are
baitcasters that are built to cast just about any bait, and provide the same
smooth retrieve after a year of use. Over the years Shimano has made numerous
advancements in the lineup leading to the introduction of the SF and MG
versions. Many anglers consider the Chronarch to be the best baitcaster that
Shimano makes for the US market. The more expensive Calais may look absolutely
beautiful, sport 11 bearings, and feature a premium dartanium drag, but many
anglers feel it is just too heavy at 9.1oz. All of the Chronarch's are much
lighter reels and offer 90% of the features found in the Calais, for less money.
|
Meet the
Chronarch family, from standard 100A to MG |
Real World Test: At first glance the three Chronarch's look almost identical
in design, with the only real difference's being in color. But if you examine
the three side by side you will begin to identify some very interesting
differences...some that make sense, and others that we question. For our real
world test we pitted all three of these reels against the mammoth largemouth
bass and voracious stripers that inhabit the California Delta.
|
The standard
100A Chronarch has a graphite sideplate, but makes up for it with a very
nice clicker drag adjustment |
Materials: All three of these reels use high quality machined components.
The standard Chronarch is built on a one piece aluminum frame, but incorporates
a graphite sideplate into the left side of the reel. While not as durable, the
composite sideplate does have one advantage, it reduces the overall weight of
the standard Chronarch. The only other major difference between the standard
Chronarch and the other two is that it is the only one to use a cheaper cast
aluminum handle, while the other two feature an exceptionally rigid anodized
cold-forged handle.
The Chronarch SF is completely aluminum and feels the most solid in the palm
of hand, the only down side is that it is the heaviest at 8.4, a half ounce
heavier than the standard Chronarch. The cold forged handle is well weighted and
feels very balanced with each crank.
The Chronarch MG is of course the lightest, being completely molded from
magnesium. But the result is a reel that feels somewhat hollow, and not as
accurate as the Chronarch SF. The other disappointing thing is that even though
the frame and sideplate are magnesium the overall weight reduction in comparison
to the standard Chronarch is less than 1oz, .95oz to be exact! You can hardly
feel the difference, and you have to sacrifice being able to fish the reel in
brackish water as magnesium is highly corrosive. Competing reels from Pinnacle
and Daiwa are actually lighter. (Category Winner: Chronarch SF)
|
The casting
of the standard Chronarch isn't up to the level of the other two Chronarch's
but does make it a good choice for short distance flipping and pitching |
Profile: Here's a tough category to judge when all three of the reels
have almost the exact same profile in your hand. Suffice to say that the
Chronarch's traditional design is still among the best on the market.
Comfortable to cast, and palm, the Chronarchs are a great choice for the
complete range of baitcasting applications. The simple design is still among the
very best when it comes to providing easy thumb access to the spool. (Category
Winner: 3 Way Tie)
|
The
Chronarch SF is completely aluminum and takes full advantage of the best
Shimano features including VBS, Wiffle spool, and Super Free |
Casting: No contest here, the Chronarch SF and MG outcast the standard
Chronarch with ease. While the standard Chronarch relies on bearings on the
spool, the SF and MG benefit from the very effective Shimano "Super Free"
system. The "Super Free" system eliminates a great deal of friction when upon
each cast by keeping the pinion gear and spool shaft are kept in perfect
alignment once the clutch is disengaged. The result is a huge reduction of
chafing on the spool shaft. Both the SF and MG cast the same distance thanks to
this proven technology, and use of the faster wiffle spool. Cast controls on all
three reels are identical, all utilize the VBS "Variable Brake System" which
exploits centrifugal force instead of magnets. (Category Winner: Chronarch SF
and Chronarch MG Tie)
|
Compare the
heavier and bearing loaded standard Chronarch spool with the wider and
lighter wiffle spool |
The Retrieve: All three of these reels feel
silky smooth on the retrieve, and the best part is that they all still feel
excellent after 3 months of use. Many competitor reels start out feeling
incredibly smooth, but quickly lose their velvety retrieve. The Chronarch's seat
the spools within very tight tolerances and do an excellent job keeping out even
the smallest grainy contaminates. Overall the Chronarch SF feels the most solid
and confident on the retrieve. The standard reel is not as well weighted or as
smooth, and surprisingly the SF felt slightly smoother than the MG test reel we
had. With the SF's perfect positioning, balancing, cold forged handle, and
accurate retrieve, it is just as effortless to slow crawl plastics as it is to
burn spinnerbaits over Hydrilla. (Category Winner: Chronarch SF)
|
The
Chronarch MG is the lightest and most visually stunning with it's magnesium
alloy body and deep anodized cold forged handle |
The Drag: All three of the Chronarchs make use of the same traditional
Shimano drag washer systems. While all are very effective and can be adjusted
quickly, even when fighting fish, it is interesting that only the standard
Chronarch features a clicker in the drag control. I'm sure you can make an
argument that the removal of the clicker on the SF and MG models results in
faster resistance free adjustment of the drag, but the clicker on the standard
Chronarch is just plain fantastic. With almost no resistance anglers can make
much more accurate drag adjustments on the standard Chronarch. We liked the drag
adjustment so much on the standard Chronarch we wished they had carried over
this feature into the SF and MG. (Category Winner: Standard Chronarch 100A)
|
The
Chronarch MG is the most ergonomically friendly with use of contoured
handles and overall reduced weight |
The Ergonomics: While all three reels are a pleasure to fish, the
Chronarch MG is simply the most comfortable to employ for a long day of fishing.
The lighter weight of this reel is well complimented with upgraded ergonomic
grips. When cranking ripbaits for hours in the Delta the standard grips found on
the SF and 100A did a real number on my fingertips. The grooves in the handle
are designed for better grip but can actually dig into your fingers and become
uncomfortable if squeezed too hard, or too long. (Category Winner: Chronarch MG)
|
Overall when
you consider features, performance, flexibility, and price the Chronarch SF
is the best choice |
The Price: Here's where it all starts to break down. While all three
reels are excellent reels the choice becomes a lot easier when price is
considered. The standard Chronarch is no longer a good deal at 194.99. Without
"Super Free" it is difficult to make a good case for this this reel now that
Shimano has introduced the Curado BSF for 149.99 and the new Castaic200SF for
169.99, both of which have advanced features and better casting thanks to super
free. Why pay 30-50 dollars more for a reel that may be slightly smoother, but
not be able to cast nearly as fast or far.
The Chronarch SF retails for 229.99, only 30 dollars more than the standard Chronarch, but is really the benchmark for quality performance in baitasters.
The price is inline with competitor reels, and if Shimano just put a clicker on
the drag adjustment this reel would be perfect.
The Chronarch MG retails for 299.99, making it 70 dollars more than the SF, and
100 dollars more than the standard Chronarch. At the 300 dollar price range
there are plenty of competitor choices out there that offer the same level of
performance. The use of magnesium serves only one purpose, to reduce weight, and
with a weight reduction of less than 1oz over the standard Chronarch you have to
ask yourself is it worth paying 100 dollars for just 1oz? (Category Winner:
Chronarch SF)
Ratings: We rated the best choice reel:
Shimano
Chronarch SF Ratings (?/10) |
Construction/Quality |
Excellent construction and quality, great
aluminum materials in the frame and spool. Can take a real beating. |
9 |
Performance |
Performance is excellent across the board.
This is the best Chronarch to buy for flexibility. You can fish any type of
bait in any type of environment with ease. |
9.5 |
Price |
A reasonable price for a reel that is near top
of line, but offers trouble free performance that sets the benchmark for
baitcasters. |
9 |
Features |
Almost all the features we look for in a
tournament ready reel. A more exotic drag material to enhance performance
and clicker to improve accurate adjustment would be welcome upgrades. |
8 |
Design (Ergonomics) |
A fan favorite! It is easy to see why the
Chronarch is among the most popular baitcasters on the market today. It is
built to be easy to use as well as durable. Wish the SF had more comfortable
handles like the MG. |
8.5 |
Application |
A reel built to fish anything you can throw at
it. Just about the most capable reel Shimano makes with the exception of the
Calcutta TE's. |
9 |
Total Score |
8.83 |
Pluses and Minuses: (Chronarch SF)
Plus
Minus |
J Great
Features! |
L
No Drag clicker |
J
Reasonable Price |
L
Handle comfort |
J
Super Free |
|
J
Aluminum Wiffle Spool |
|
J
Built to last |
|
Conclusion: Shimano baitcasters are among the best on the market and
these three Chronarch's are perfect examples of why Shimano is the market share
leader. While all three Chronarch's won't disappoint, if I had to put my own
money down for one of these reels the Chronarch SF would be my number one
choice. Of the three reels it is the only one that can cast and retrieve like a
championship reel, and be fished in any type of water. With the best tally of
features and price the Chronarch SF delivers the greatest balance of performance
out of the family. If you want a reel that can do it all, and look good doing
it, the Chronarch SF is your preeminent choice from the well bred family of
Chronarch's.
Until next time...Tight Lines!
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