A look inside the design of the Quantum Aruba PTs (continued)
 

The Design: The Quantum saltwater reel design team spent over three years designing, building, and field testing the Aruba PTs before introducing  this reel at ICAST. Their goal was to not only make a durable high-performing reel but one that is different than those that are already on the market.

An ergonomic handle that's oversized for better grip

The Construction: Let’s begin with the overall construction. If you grasp the reel in your hand you can tell it is solidly built. What leaps out is the precisely crafted and rugged components throughout the reel. Each external component of the Aruba PTs is made with very tight tolerances.

Everything including the reel foot is made with precision

In our lab I repeatedly went over each individual external component to check for any flaws in construction and was satisfied with the implementation. I found no unnecessary play in any of the components such as the drag lever and dual-speed control system. The entire reel is sound and it is constructed with care to produce what Quantum believes is one of the toughest trolling reels on the market.

You will only find about two to three plastic parts on this reel, the rest are of metal construction

The Frame and Sideplate: The Aruba PTs has a frame and side cover that is both precisely machined from bar stock aluminum. This frame is rigid and the machining is clean. The one piece all-metal frame is designed not to flex under heavy loads.

The frame is precisely machined from bar stock aluminum

Note that all of our photos show the ALD30PTsX which has an open top. The ALD20PTs, ALD30PTs, and ALD30WPTs all have a crossbar on top to provide even more frame rigidity.

Right drag plate assembly with stainless steel low speed and high speed pinion gears

The Gears: Conventional saltwater reels must have gears that will hold up when fighting huge fish. The gear must withstand an enormous amount of pressure and be able to bear the shock of start and stop retrieves, especially when free spooling and then suddenly throwing the reel into gear to set the hook on big game fish.

Quality stainless steel drive gears

Taking a look inside it becomes obvious that Quantum did not skimp on the gears. Quantum uses precision-machined stainless steel PT gears that look like they will withstand the toughest punishment from both saltwater environments and gamefish.