Casting & Pitching: With a definitive 32 different brake settings, I took the higher road to determine whether or not there was a true difference between the four internal brake settings. They are labeled as: L - for true long distance casting situations; M - for multi-application or general application settings; A - for situations that call for accuracy (i.e. pitching); W - for situations with head wind. The details of these different settings were explained in our review of the US Market Calais DC7, but a simpler approach would be to consider "L" ("X" in the US version) as having the least amount of brake control and "W" as the most. "M" and "A" then, would fall somewhere in between. But the question in my mind was, given the inconvenience of flipping the sideplate open to make this adjustment, is there really a difference between these settings?

Retrieve: Shimano does not disappoint in this category. First off, the backplay we experienced on our DC7, while still there, was very minimal. Actual retrieve was typical Shimano silkiness though why Shimano Japan insists on these shorter handles (74mm on the DC7) really is beyond me. They provide a wonderful handle length on the Metanium XT, but for the DC7, a fast retrieving reel that could really help the end user if it had a longer handle, they choose to go with a short, what I call, finesse handle. In applications where your bait is either still or slow moving, this is not much of a factor, but on a reel with 31 inches of return per handle, I'd like as much leverage as possible.
 

  
On the other hand, Shimano's HEG's really shine in this reel. Combined with the reel's stout construction, the power provided by the internal gears, even at this high rate of retrieve is truly remarkable. I was able to retrieve deep diving cranks like the old Lucky Craft Fat CB DR and Norman DD22's with relative ease using a slow to medium cranking speed. As one who really favors slower cranking reels for these applications, this really surprised me. Throw in a longer handle for better ergonomics and boy.

Drag: Almost always a bright spot for Shimano, the DC7 delivers a maximum tested eight pounds of pressure and exhibits smooth, consistent performance throughout its range. Spotty reports indicate Shimano Japan may be using a new material for the drag washers and while perhaps not quite as silky smooth as the older, Dartanium drag reels, it was difficult to truly discern any difference without taking the reel apart to investigate. I started to dig into the reel only to discover, that in order to disassemble the handle side of the reel to access the drag system, you have to disassemble the non-handle side first so that you can access all the screws holding the handle side sideplate in place! No thank you.

Ergonomics: It's all give and take in this department with the DC7. While its size (identical to that of the standard Antares or Calais 200 - not the Antares AR) is a disappointment, this is one of the pitfalls of an extreme brake control system - the need for line capacity. Overall, it is still a very comfortable profile to palm. The reel is heavy by some standards, but the confidence the reel's rigidity inspires is undeniable. The old-school fighting dragstar clicks, as does the cast control knob, but the handle is too short for the reel's rate of retrieve - again a wash.

Application: Most would consider a super high speed reel a rather specialty item suited mostly for burning baits through the water or for situations where you want to take up slack line as quickly as possible. Thanks to Shimano's HEG gearing, however, the DC7 is quite an all purpose reel suitable for any number of applications. Add to the mix the DC7 is rated for both fresh and saltwater use, and this reel is almost as versatile as they come. Throw in a longer handle and we'd really be singing its praises, but for now, we're just happy to finally see the DC system, and a refined version at that, implemented in a low profile baitcaster!

Ratings:

  
Pluses and Minuses: (added elements from Calais 4x8 DC review)

Conclusion: The flagship Calais DC was the first domestic reel to ever win the TackleTour “Ultimate Enthusiast” Award, and while Shimano’s primary goal is to build the best reels possible, there is no doubt in our minds that the Calais DC is the first domestic reel from the company that addresses the enthusiast tackle segment head on. Still there are some anglers that will value the Japanese domestic Antares DC7 as the true "enthusiast" offering, and for those anglers Cal says....

From the shadows does it rise,

the second of its kind,

borrowing from its lineage,

it's not one to stay benign,

resist as you might,

they all, eventually succumb,

a forewarning to pay heed,

for something wicked this way comes...