Shimano's most
affordable DC
equipped baitcaster
yet, the SLX DC
Impressions:
The SLX Series has
been a stellar
performer for
Shimano in terms of
market acceptance,
and overall sales.
With a $99.99 dollar
price point it now
occupies the segment
that used to be the
sweet spot for
previous generation
Citicas, and is
truly an affordable
everyday workhorse
reel.
Besides the
aggressive $99
dollar price point
what is also key to
the SLX's popularity
is the baitcaster's
solid Hagane Body
construction, which
basically means that
the reel's frame is
constructed out of
metal, aluminum in
this case, for
improved stiffness
to better isolate
gearing and reduce
body flex under
stress.
The original SLX
Series exhibited
quality ergonomics
with a comfortable
profile for palming,
and featured
oversized power
knobs providing
plenty of grip. The
original reels made
use of the reliable
VBS centrifugal cast
control system,
which is basically a
set and forget
system for most
anglers, but also
comes with the same
backlash challenges
for some users that
do not employ
baitcasters on a
regular basis. Which
is exactly where the
SLX DC comes into
play. The SLX DC is
built on the same
platform as the
original SLX reels,
and similarly to the
Curado DC, exhibits
a slightly wider
profile to
accommodate the
I-DC4 system within
the non-handle side
sideplate.
The SLX DC is built
on the same platform
as the original SLX
Series
Real World Tests:
It you read our
previous review
of the original SLX
baitcaster you
probably already
know that we found
that reel to offer
plenty of bang for
the buck. I treated
the new SLX DC
independently and
re-tested all
aspects of the reel
as if this was a
completely different
platform. I also
wanted to compare it
closely with the
Curado DC, which up
until now, has been
the most affordable
DC equipped reel.
The main difference?
The addition of
I-DC4 digital cast
control
Casting: When Shimano
introduced the Curado 150 DC two
years ago they
surprised the world
by bringing one of
their most premium
and technologically
advanced features to
the masses. They did
this by simplifying
the DC 4X8 system
into the less
complex, but still
very effective,
I-DC4 system.
Just
like the Curado DC
the SLX DC's I-DC4
provides four
casting modes,
versus the full
range of settings
that were found on
premium reels in the
past like the Calais
4x8. While the I-DC4
system has far fewer
settings it is also
considerably easier
to use for those
that are unfamiliar
with the technology.
The SLX DC is an
excellent caster,
and casts just as
well as the more
expensive Curado DC
The
I-DC4 control modes
include: Mode 1
is designed to
achieve maximum
distance (least
amount of magnetic
braking), Mode 2 is
designed
specifically for
managing braided
line, mode 3 is for
fluorocarbon or
stiffer lines, and
Mode 4 offers
maximum control
(largest amount of
magnetic braking)
for applications
like skipping.
The I-DC4 module is
the same system that
Shimano deployed on
the Curado DC two
seasons ago, and is
a sealed easy to
dial in digital cast
control system that
is self powered with
each cast
