Phenix Rods Takes Flight With Their Ultra MBX 707H
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Date: |
7/08/09 |
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Tackle type: |
Rod |
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Manufacturer: |
Phenix |
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Reviewer: |
Cal |
Total Score: 7.75 +
EDITORS CHOICE!
Introduction: From our May 2008 introduction of their new line of fishing rods to the first entry in our 2009 Crankbait Rod Wars, Phenix Rods has garnered a lot of official and unofficial attention amongst the TackleTour editorial staff. Officially, we’ve only scratched the surface of product remaining to evaluate. Unofficially, we like what we’ve seen from this reborn rod manufacturer so far. Next up? A seven foot, seven inch, heavy powered graphite stick available both with or without the foregrip. Introducing Phenix Rods’ Ultra MBX 707H fishing rod.
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Phenix Ultra MBX 707H
Specifications |
| Material |
Graphite |
| Length |
7'-7" |
| Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base |
10.5" |
| Line Wt. |
10-20lb Test |
| Lure Wt. |
3/8 - 1 oz |
| Pieces |
1 |
| Guides |
9 + Tip (Fuji SiC) |
| Power Rating |
Heavy |
| Taper |
Fast |
| Rod Weight |
4.2 oz (foregrip version) |
| Manufacturing Country |
China |
| MSRP |
$239 |
Impressions: Less than a decade ago, Phenix Rods was among the most sought after small shop rod manufacturers in the market. They were revered for their designs and blank technology but as with many good things, time caught up with them and for whatever reason, the company just about dissolved.
Introducing the Phenix Ultra MBX 707H (foregrip version)
As detailed in our "Rebirth of Phenix Rods" article published in May of 2008, the company is now under new ownership and with that change has come a new spirit, a revamped production workflow, but the same entrepreneurial drive that made the original company so intriguing. We debuted our first official review of their rods as the first entry to our Crankbait Rod wars, but what of their other sticks?
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Lab Results for
Phenix Ultra MBX 707H
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Model |
Avg RoD (2-32 oz) |
Taper
|
Measured Weight |
Balance Point |
Balancing Torque (ftlbs) |
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Phenix MBX Ultra 707H (foregrip) |
1.54 |
Fast |
4.2 oz |
12 |
0.25 |
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Phenix MBX Ultra 707H (foregrip) |
1.54 |
Fast |
4.1 oz |
11.5 |
0.25 |
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G.Loomis MBR844C GLX |
1.47 |
Fast |
4.7 |
7.5 |
-- |
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G.Loomis BCR803 GLX |
1.61 |
X-Fast |
4.3 |
7 |
-- |
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Daiwa STZ711HFBA |
1.44 |
Fast |
4 |
9 |
-- |
Rate of Deflection (RoD):
To find out more about the Ultra MBX 707H specifically, we strapped it up to our RoD WRACK and compared its deflection data with that of some other rods in our database. What we found is the 707H behaves similarly to G.Loomis's MBR844C GLX and Daiwa's STZ711HFBA (Steez Compile X rod). The 707H also resembles the BCR803 GLX somewhat but that's because the BCR803 GLX is an extra-fast tapered rod so its deflection characteristics read a full power heavier.
Fig. 1 : This RoD Deflection Chart shows the deflection characteristics of the
Phenix Ultra MBX 707H (yellow curve) against several similar sticks.
Other Stats: In terms of weight and balance point, Phenix's goal with the 707H was obviously light weight because both versions of this rod (foregrip vs non-foregrip) come put at least a full half ounce lighter than the MBR844C GLX, but also have a balancing point pretty far forward that of the MBR844C GLX. Conversely, the Steez Compile X both weighs less and balances better than the 707H.
The 707H's stats as presented on the rod itself.
Testing the limits of the 707H at El Novillo Lake in Mexico.
Next Section: Time to get to fishing
