Price
and Applications: There are a lot of choices when it comes to reels but when
comparing the ONE3 Origin-A and Origin-C the choice was an easy one for us.
While the Origin-A bears an attractive 79 dollar price point the Origin-C is a
better reel in just about every way. The Origin-C, with the aluminum frame,
feels much more solid and refined than the Origin C, and it also comes with
better bearings and a more robust drag as well.
We were surprised to find bearings
in the Origin-A knobs
The Origin-A fishes just fine but it also feels
reminiscent of a "value" reel and the composite frame feels hollow under load.
In stark comparison the Origin-C fishes like a reel that could easily retail for
50 dollars more, and delivers a more substantial and solid feel, both while
palming and when there is a big fish on the line.
A bearing can be found in each
Origin-C knob as well
While we can certainly recommend the Origin-A at the 80 dollar price point for
value oriented users we also do not hesitate to recommend the Origin-C over the
Origin-A when all things are considered. So unless you absolutely do not want to
deal with the matte white finish the choice is clear, and for only 20 dollars
more the Origin-C offers a better balance of price and performance.
The Origin-C fishes like a more
expensive reel
In terms of competition the 100 dollar price point has recently gotten a lot
more crowded and anglers do have a number of good options. Shimano offers the
Casitas 150 at 99 dollars and the Caenan 150A at 79 dollars, Daiwa’s new Fuego
CT is a very good contender at 99 dollars, Lew’s has their new Mach Speed Spool
MCS at 99 dollars, Quantum’s “Flippin Bar” enabled Accurist is 99 dollars, and
Abu Garcia just introduced the Revo X Gen 4 reel which is also only 99 dollars.
Like I said, lots of choices! Most anglers will likely stick with the brand that
they are most loyal to but when it comes to modern styling and a balanced
package the ONE3 Origin-C is definitely worth considering among all these
contenders.
Overall the Origin-A is a good
value reel that is worth the money
Think the Origin Series black or white finishes are a little too mundane?
Another feature that might just put the new series over the edge versus the
competitors is the fact that these reels are also Trick Shop compatible so you
can customize them with anodized spools, handles, and carbon fiber handles, just
like 13 Fishing’s higher end baitcasters.
If I only could pick one Origin
reel which one would it be? Without a doubt the ONE3 Origin-C gets my vote
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):
13
Fishing
ONE3
Origin-C
(Origin-A) Reel
Ratings
(?/10)
|
Construction/Quality |
The
Origin-C
boasts
the
better
build
quality
with an
aluminum
frame,
higher
grade
bearings
and a
beefier
drag.
The
Origin-A
is built
more
like a
traditional
value
reel
with a
composite
frame
and
greater
use of
raw
plastic |
8.5
(7.5) |
Performance |
Both
Origin
reels
performed
well
throughout
tests
and held
up
against
big
fish.
Both
reels
also
proved
to be
quality
casters
but in
each and
every
test the
Origin-C
proved
to be
more
refined,
and when
it comes
to
retrieve
the
Origin-C
delivered
superior
winching
power
under
load
|
8.5 (8) |
Price |
The
Origin-A
is the
lower
priced
reel but
for only
20
dollars
delta
our
price
ratings
skew
towards
the
Origin-C
as it
delivers
more
bang for
the buck |
8 (7.5) |
Features |
Both
reels
offer
plenty
of
features
including
a swept
handle,
quality
cast
control
system,
Japanese
Hamai
cut
gears,
and the
Origin-C
adds an
aluminum
frame,
high
spin
bearings,
and a
better
drag.
The
icing on
the
cake?
Both
reels
are
Trick
Shop
compatible |
9 (8) |
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Both
reels
exhibit
quality
ergonomics
and
while
the
Origin-A
is
lighter
the
Origin-C's
matte
finish
offers a
quality
grip
when
palming |
8 (8) |
Application |
The
Origin
Series
reels
are
designed
to run
the
complete
gamut of
mainstream
applications
and the
addition
of the
new TX
version
increases
the
range to
include
applications
beyond
inshore.
Both of
the
reels we
tested
can
easily
handle
bass
fishing
applications
ranging
from
light
plastics
work to
throwing
big
baits |
8 (8) |
Total
Score
|
8.33 -
Origin-C
(7.83
Origin-A) |
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 |
Origin C
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus
Minus
|
+
Good
materials
including
an
aluminum
frame |
-
Matte
white
finish
does get
dirty,
but
luckily
a little
soap and
water is
all it
takes to
clean
the reel |
+
Reliable
centrifugal
cast
control
system |
-
Sideplate
needs to
be fully
detached
to
access
cast
control
system |
+
Very low
profile
and
compact design
makes
the reel
very
palmable |
|
+
Quality
bearings,
even in
the
handles |
|
+
Integrated
hook
holder |
|
+
Great
bang for
the
buck!
Fishes
like a
higher
end reel |
|
Conclusion:
13
Fishing has quickly grown their reel and rod product line to cover everything
from value to enthusiast, and even provided anglers with the ability to tailor
their rigs and really make them your own with Trick Shop accessories and even
gone the enthusiast route by offering one of a kind limited edition hand painted
offerings.
The Origin-A is a
good reel at a
reasonable price,
this reel gets the
job done nicely and
is still fun to fish
As a company 13
Fishing certainly isn’t one to shy away from taking chances or doing things a
little differently than the rest of the industry. What will they come up with
next? A high performance reel with no bearings? Oh wait, they just did that at
ICAST with the upcoming Concept-Z.
The ONE3 Origin-C is an excellent
reel for the money, delivering exceptional bang for the buck and proving that
reels under the 100 dollar price point don't have to feel like your making
compromises. The Origin-C is the "ONE" to get
While the Origin-A and Origin-C reels are on the other side of the price
spectrum they still manage to deliver plenty when it comes to quality and sheer
fish-ability. There are a lot of reels out there between 80-100 dollars that
will get the job done, but how many of them are products that you actually want
to fish? Both of the ONE3 reels are fun enough to fish but it is the Origin-C
that really delivers the
feature-set and performance above its price point. The Origin-C isn’t just a
better reel than the Origin-A, it is also a better value for the money as well.
Twenty dollars is a small additional investment when you consider all the
upgrades that the Origin-C offers and is a deserving recipient of our Best Value
Award, and is the ONE to get!
Looking for the 13 Fishing ONE3 Origin-A and Origin-C Baitcasters?
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