Retrieving: Supporting a broad range of lure types and presentations, both reels offer the very versatile line retrieve rate of twenty-two (22) inches per turn of the handle. The Antares AR is buttery smooth without sacrificing sensitivity and while the TD-Z Type R+ is also very smooth, it lacks the buttery feel of the Shimano. The standard length handle on the Daiwa is a definite advantage over its shinier counterpart from Shimano, but in our test case, these variables were neutralized with the TT enhancement of an 80mm ZPI carbon handle on the Antares. The Antares definitely feels more powerful and consistent with the longer handle rather than the stock 70mm version. Of interesting note is the small amount of backplay discernable on the Antares AR in low drag settings. Holding the spool with your thumb, you can move the handle of the reel back and forth at middle to low drag settings. This seems to be a typical symptom with Shimano reels. The Type R+ has no such play in the handle no matter the drag setting and is actually, surprisingly solid in this regard.

Drag: Both of these reels come equipped with a confidence inspiring five pounds of maximum drag pressure (2.25kg) both of which are also very smooth and easy to startup. The Dartanium drag system on the Shimano is quite possibly the best drag system of any reel this size and receives extra credit for super, silky smooth performance.
 

Ergonomics: Of the two reels, the Daiwa is the more comfortable to palm. It sits back in the reel seat maybe an eighth of an inch further than the Shimano providing a position, in relation to the trigger on the underside of the fishing rod, that is just slightly more comfortable. The vertical position of these reels is practically identical but the Daiwa feels lower due to a slightly sloping top plate. Couple those two factors with the extreme light weight of the Daiwa, and the external brake control dial, and the Daiwa just edges the Shimano in this department.

Design: Though understated with its matte silver finish, the Daiwa TD-Z 103ML Type R+ reel is far from common. From thirty feet away, one can spot this reel by its distinctive red highlights. Clutch the reel in your hand, turn it over and you find such attention to detail as a cut away foot to reduce weight. Even the reel’s original handle has a cut away groove down the center for more weight savings design.

The Antares AR, with its mirror-like ion plating finish, is an elegant machine to say the least. Smooth, seamless design is evident at every angle of view. One can just as easily imagine seeing this reel magnified in size several thousand times and speeding down the freeway at ridiculous speeds.

Price and Availability: The Shimano Antares AR is readily available in the US as the Calais 100a. Both reels are identical save for their names and the fact that the Calais 100a is not available in left hand retrieve. As with all imports, the Antares AR is harder to locate than the Calais 100a.

The Daiwa TD-Z Type R+ line of reels, on the other hand are available exclusively as import models and are 2004 limited production and limited availability reels. These reels are not intended for the masses and their exclusivity is reflected in the reels’ price tags. In all, there are three casting models and one spinning model ranging in current market price of $500 to $900. Once sold out, the reels will be increasingly difficult to find in brand new condition and will no doubt command a premium at or above original price.

Pluses and Minuses:

Conclusion: Do you recall the old Mc Donald’s commercial featuring Larry Bird and Michael Jordan playing a game of horse? With each iteration of the commercial, their called shots would become more and more outrageous (e.g. over the parking lot, through the window, one bounce, nothing but net). Those that actually remember the careers of these two hall of fame NBA stars knows that each brought different intangibles to the game, yet both were as dominant in their eras as any player in history. Such is the case with these two uber-reels from the Japanese divisions of Daiwa and Shimano. Name a spot on the water and each reel will hit the mark with relative ease limited only by the ability of the angler. Picking a clear winner, as reflected by their scores above, is not as easy as this editor had thought. The limited availability and exclusive price of the Daiwa reel is an immediate disadvantage, but once held in your hand, all those pains go away and the smile on your face while fishing this reel is undeniable. The Shimano reel inspires true confidence from the start with its flashy finish and the solid feeling it gives you in your hand – a feeling partially attributed to its overall weight which some may find excessive. Still, given the nature of this article, a winner must be declared and the true enthusiast in this editor gives the nod to Daiwa. Special attention was put into the design of the Type R+ line of reels. Their limited production and availability are intended to maintain and inflate the resale value of these reels. Combine these intangibles with top of the line performance and you have a true collector’s item. But even without these factors, the weight to performance ratio of this reel and smile inspiring giddiness it produces is simply too difficult to deny.