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Low Speed Reel
Shootout: Daiwa
gets Crazy with the Zillion Cranker
(continued)
  Ergonomics
cont'd: At 8.8oz. the Zillion Crazy cranker weighs the same as the
high speed Zillion 100SHA and .2oz more than the regular speed (6:3) Zillion
100HA. This weight isn’t an issue when paired with the right rod but after a
full day cranking with the Zillion CC you will feel the difference in your arm
and wrist versus the lighter sum 8oz. competitors.
A look underneath
The Zillion wins back some points in ergonomics with their
easy to adjust external Magforce-Z anti backlash cast control system. The knob
on the Zillion is easy to adjust with a single finger in either direction. The
Zillion knobs are Daiwa’s familiar “soft touch” rubber barrel grips. Many
anglers prefer the more traditional and lower profile knobs found on the Steez,
but when it comes to cranking these larger slightly more tacky knobs help
anglers maintain a good grip when retrieving larger and deeper diving baits.
Like other Zillion reels the Crazy Cranker feels solid in hand and is easy and
comfortable to palm but is beginning to feel a little dated alongside some of
the competing reels that have recently received makeovers.
All metal here, even the
handle-side sideplate is aluminum
Durability:
The Zillion CC has a quality finish that fought boat rash well and also features
aluminum guard fins that protrude slightly over the top of the reel to help
prevent scratches in the reel’s finish. These fins don’t get in the way of
palming and are just a few millimeters higher than the top of the reel. They
will protect the reel if it is face down but do little to protect the reel from
impacts, say if you dropped the reel on the shore. Still it is an added
durability feature not found on other reels, and we welcome it.
The Zillion Crazy Cranker has a
line capacity of 14/120, that's plenty enough for bass
Through our tests the Zillion Crazy Cranker seemed to get a
little gummed up after time and required a little maintenance in the form of
oiling the gearing. Prior to this we observed the reel starting to get a little
louder and we could hear the actual gears meshing, though the reel was still
considered smooth it just didn’t feel friction free.
The soft touch grips are used on
the Zillion Crazy Cranker
Price and Applications:
At $269 dollars the Zillion CC is at the exact same price point as the other
higher speed Zillion reels but significantly more than the competition. There is
a 90 dollar delta between the Curado E5 and the Zillion CC and a $70 premium
over the Revo Winch. While the Zillion CC is more feature rich than both of
those reels is it really worth nearly 50% more? If you are a diehard Daiwa fan
that answer is easy, but if you are comparing the price and features side by
side with the competition the Zillion CC is considered pricey.
The Zillion Crazy Cranker delivers
exceptional cranking performance and refinement but at a cost that is
significantly higher than the competition
But what if you absolutely must have externally adjustable
cast controls? The Quantum Energy’s ACS II system is also externally adjustable
and that reel is $80 cheaper than the Zillion CC. Many anglers would argue that
the Zillion CC is one step above the others in terms of positioning and that the
new Aggrest or Daiwa Advantage should be the proper contender. That is true in
most respects except the low speed shootout as only the Crazy Cranker can
truly be considered a low speed reel being under 6:0 gear ratio. When it comes
to applications the Daiwa CC is a great deep cranking reel and I also find it
excellent for shallow cranks when you don’t want to burn them. There are times
when fishing shallow slow makes a lot sense, and the Crazy Cranker’s ultra low
speed gear ratio actually forces you to slow down.
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
Daiwa
Zillion
Crazy
Cranker
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
The
Zillion
feels
more
solid
than
many
competing
reels
and
features
a rigid
handle-side
sideplate
and a
multi-disc
drag.
Overall
excellent
build
quality
that
matches
other
Zillion
siblings |
9 |
|
Performance |
The
Zillion
Crazy
Cranker
performed
very
well in
most
categories.
It felt
very
refined
and was
good for
casting
a wide
range of
crankbaits.
When it
comes to
low
speed
the
Zillion
Crazy
Cranker
4.9:1
gear
ratio is
the
slowest
marking
this one
high
torque
reel |
9 |
|
Price |
The
Zillion
Crazy
Cranker
retails
for
70-90
dollars
more
than the
competition,
this is
a lot
when you
consider
how good
the
other
reels
are in
comparison
so we
rated
the
Zillion
Crazy
Cranker
just
fair in
this
category |
6 |
|
Features |
The
Zillion
is full
of
features
including
a ultra
low
speed
gear
ration,
the
Magforce-Z
cast
control
system,
aluminum
guard
rails,
and a
eight
disc wet
drag
system |
9 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Designed
to match
perfectly
with the
company's
Zillion
rods the
Zillion
Crazy
cranker
looks
right at
home on
many
rods.
This
reel
balances
out
better
with
longer
cranking
sticks
and
doesn't
feel as
light as
the
competing
reels |
7 |
|
Application |
The
Zillion
Crazy
Cranker
really
is a
cranking
reel and
is good
for slow
presentations
and big
baits.
While
fast
speed
applications
require
a faster
reel
when it
comes to
sheer
power
the
Zillion
CC
deliver
"crazy"
levels
of
torque! |
8 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.00 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus
|
|
J
Top
notch
construction
and
refinement |
L
Heavier
than
competing
reels |
|
J
Ultra
low
speed
4.9:1
gear
ratio |
L
More
expensive
than
competing
reels |
|
J
Externally
adjustable
cast
control
system |
|
|
J
Excellent
for deep
diving
crankbaits |
|
Conclusion: You
catch a fish and before you know it you start cranking a little faster, the
anticipation of that next strike is often enough to get anglers burning
crankbaits when what they need to be doing is slowing it down, it is in
situations like this that the ultra low speed Zillion Crazy Cranker is a great
choice. With a slow 4.9:1 gear ration the Zillion Crazy Cranker is just about as
slow as it gets for a crankbait reel and delivers both precision and sheer
power. While other manufacturers have simplified their cranking reels the
Zillion Crazy Cranker is chock full of features and makes use of high quality
materials in an effort to be more refined and durable over the long term. The
Zillion Crazy Cranker is designed for just what it’s name implies and is a
quality cranking reel capable of towing the largest lures at a crawl. Though a
quality offering the Zillion Crazy Cranker does weigh more than the competition
and retails for quite a bit more, making this a tough sell to any angler looking
for more bang for their buck, value aside the Zillion Crazy Cranker delivers
where it counts… and that is in the high torque department.
Looking for a Daiwa
Zillion Crazy
Cranker? Try
Monster Fishing
Tackle.
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