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Rod Review


Kistler Rods Brings Magnesium 2 Home (continued)

Features: Kistler has never been shy to try new materials for rod grips. Leveraging rubber grips from the golf industry is nothing new, but it has yet to catch on in a big way. These grips look a bit odd on a fishing rod, but they are work well when wet or dry and hold up much better than cork and even EVA. The American Tackle Waveguides won't win any aesthetics awards, but they perform reliably and on spinning rods especially do provide a benefit. Kistler uses the Kigan open ended hook keeper on this rod and there is no rod sleeve for the Magnesium 2 series sticks.

Features Ratings for Kistler MG2-LMH-70-MF

Grip (1-5)
Guides (1-5)
Reel Seat (1-5)
Hook Keeper (1-5)
Rod Sleeve (1-5)
Total
Possible
Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4
3
3
4
1
15
25
6.0


The sanded blank is left unfinished.

Design/Ergonomics: The MG2LMH70-MF tipped our scales at a scant 3.9 ounces, but with that lack of weight comes the usual tip heaviness. Its balancing point was 10.5 inches above the midline of the reel seat and had a balancing torque of 0.23 ftlbs. By comparison, the average balancing torque for all rods in our official 2010 Search for One campaign came to 0.19 ftlbs, so the MGLMH70-MF is a little more tip heavy than average.


Standard exposed blank reel seat.

Lab Results for Kistler MG2-LMH-70-MF

Model
Avg RoD (2-32 oz)
Taper
Measured Weight (oz)
Balance Point (inches)
Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
Kistler MG2-LMH-70-MF
2.39
Mod-Fast
3.9
10.5
0.23
MBR783C GLX2000
1.72
Fast
4.8
5
0.11
TSFO 26 Rod Avg
1.69
--
4.92
7.65
0.19


The butt end features an oversized knob for better two handed casting and also for comfort as the end of the rod rests against your side.

That repurposed golf grip on the rod's handle is actually very comfortable to fish and remains grippy whether it is wet or dry. Heat is not an issue either with the material remaining a comfortable temperature to hold even when left in the sun for an extended period of time. The colors and graphics on this Magnesium reboot? Kind of reminiscent of G.Loomis's E6X rods with the chartreuse thread wraps and all.

Design & Ergonomics Ratings for Kistler MG2-LMH-70-MF

Grip (1-5)
Colors / Graphics (1-5)
Balance (1-5)
Weight (1-5)
Total
Possible
Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4
3
2
5
14
20
7.0


Kistler makes use of the Kigan open ended hook hangar.

Application: The M2LMH70-MF is a very good candidate if your search is for just one rod to do it all. Thanks to its moderate-fast taper, it works really well with moving baits and thanks to a crisp blank, it works really well in vertical bait presentations too. This is a very versatile stick able to support a wide range of techniques and applications.

Bass Rod Application Ratings for Kistler MG2-LMH-70-MF

Rip/Jerk (1-5)
Steady (1-5)
Lift & Drop (1-5)
Drag (1-5)
Twitch (1-5)
Total
Possible
Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4
4
4
4
4
20
25
8.0

Ratings:

Kistler MG2-LMH-70-MF Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality Nice, clean build 9.47
Performance Shines in just about every category 9.2
Price Really good price for a Made in the USA rod and blank 8.5
Features Pretty basic stick with not a lot of fluff 6.0
Design (Ergonomics) Comfortable to fish but a little tip-heavy 7.0
Application About as versatile as they come 8.0

Total Score

8.03
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
+ Made in the USA for under $200 - A little tip heavy
+ As versatile a stick as you will find - Bright graphics might turn some away
+ Very light  
+ Interesting handle material  

  


Given its price point and Made in the USA pedigree, we don't see how the MG2LMH70-MF, and it's siblings, can do anything but succeed.

 

Conclusion: A nice, clean build, on a crisp, responsive blank using some new and unconventional materials and components. Yup, sounds like Kistler Custom Rods alright. Never afraid to try something new and offer it to the angling public, one thing Kistler Rods has definitely gotten right in recent years is their partnership Gary Loomis's North Fork Composites. Gary Loomis builds a great blank and Trey Kistler does a really nice job building them up into a finished product. Will the Magnesium 2 series be a success? Judging from how the MG2LMH70-MF performed and given its price point and Made in the USA pedigree, we don't see how it can do anything but succeed. Are you looking for one rod to do it all but don't want to spend a boat load of money on it? Consider the MG2LMH70-MF!

 

Looking for a Kistler MG2-LMH-70-MF? Try TackleWarehouse

 

 

   

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