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[norm_2]

I think some Abu's have a magnetic adjustment.  The Daiwa Luna has it also.  How does it work to reduce birdnests?

I understand the spool control adjustment which is a constant brake on the spool.  Is the magnetic sort of the same except it is not always on?  Anyways, I don't know.

I have heard one can cast a longer distance with this magnetic adjustment.  Is it true?

[Matuka Jack]

There are coils like in the alternator except, it's in smaller scale.  As it spin, it start producing electrical energy.  To produce electrical energy work is needed.  Hence, this is a way of dumping excess energy and the spool does not spin faster than the line that is going out.  The faster the spool spins the more electricity it will make which increases the resistance and the more energy gets dump.
The adjustment is made by engaging more coils in the electromagnetic activity.

The distance a reel can cast depends on how precise the balance of 'energy dumping activity' vs. 'excess energy that has to be dump'.

I tried casting the Luna and it does not hold a candle to my CTE400.

Fishing always involves gimmicks and gadgets to engage fishermen in the 'Confusopoly' game.

[Stratocaster]

The spool control knob is used to control spool speed at the very beginning of your cast.  You adjust this according to the weight of what you are casting, bigger weight, higher setting.

When the spool is spinning a second system to control spool speed comes into play.  It can either be a centrifical brake weight system or a mag force system.  The centrifical system uses a set of brake weights that are attached to the spool.  The brake weights (if set) will slide to the edge of the spool as the spool is spinning.  This creates centrifical force which has the effect of slowing down the speed of rotation.  This is good because the casted line and lure is also slowing as it gets closer to the end of the cast (through drag etc..) A good analogy is that of a figure skater spinning like a top.  As the skater extend his or her arms out, the spinning or rotation slows down. 

The other system is the mag force system which uses magnets to achieve the same effect of slowing down the rotation of the spool.  the control dial will adjust the distance that the magnets are away from each other.  The closer the distance, the more force there is to slow down the rotation.  At a low setting, the magnets are further apart and hence have a smaller effect of the spool rotation.

Most round reels like the abu garcia 6500 or the calcuttas use the centrifical brake weight system.

Most low profile reels like the shimano calais or curado use the mag force system

[Fish Assassin]

As MJ has alluded to, they are gimmicks geared towards the beginner.

[Eagleye]

I disagree that the mag braking is just a gimmick.  It does a good job of preventing birdsnest especially when casting light lures and is firctionless unlike the centrifugal system.  Daiwa's Magforce reels are easy to learn on because they are so effective at preventing birdsnest and come with 10 settings to fine tune to your casting ability and lure weight.  And there must be a reason why most long distance surf casters use Penn Mag 525's or modified Abus with a mag braking system.

[Eagleye]

Most low profile reels like the shimano calais or curado use the mag force system

All shimano reels including the low profiles use centrifugal braking except the Scorpion (Japanese Import) which uses both magnets and brake blocks.

For anyone who is interested here is a good article that expains how the braking systems work and their effectiveness.

http://www.japantackle.com/Topics/brake_system.htm

[Stratocaster]

You're right eagleye, I stand corrected.

I was thinking about my Speedmaster (from ages ago) which did use magnets.

[Eagleye]

Interesting, never heard of one.

[norm_2]

Wow!  Great explanations everybody!

Matuka Jack, do you know what Shimano has done to the Calcutta TE to allow it to cast so far?  Or is it just the quality of the parts?

Also for those who like to make adjustments to your reel, I pushed the brake weights (as described by Doug) in on my Calcutta and liked the casting better.  On an Abu 6500, I took the brake weights off, and like it better.  On an Abu 5500, I left them on but had to push them in to the centre.

[norm_2]

Thinking about the spool control knob and the brake weights, they are always on and therefore always restricting the length of a cast.  Isn't it different with the magnets, based on Matuka Jack's description, where there is little braking at the beginning and middle of the cast, and only at the end of the cast is there enough electricity to produce braking.

I am not a scientist but if it works, they may be on to something.

Thanks again everybody, I understand it now.

[Stratocaster]

Interesting, never heard of one.

Here you go Eagleye,




It was my first baitcaster, purchased 15 years ago

[Matuka Jack]

Wow!  Great explanations everybody!

Matuka Jack, do you know what Shimano has done to the Calcutta TE to allow it to cast so far?  Or is it just the quality of the parts?

Also for those who like to make adjustments to your reel, I pushed the brake weights (as described by Doug) in on my Calcutta and liked the casting better.  On an Abu 6500, I took the brake weights off, and like it better.  On an Abu 5500, I left them on but had to push them in to the centre.

Hi norm_2,
Whenever something mechanical gets built it is first have to be design.  All the measurements and materials to use were determined.  In this determination, a 'lot' or 'less' calculations and verifications about weights, mass, inertia, force, strength of materials etc...etc.. A company could spend a lot of money on this or as little as possible.

What follows next is the manufacturing of parts and then the assembly --this is where Quality Assurance comes in.  They could set the standards for precision and accuracy to 'Ultra High' or at somewhat lower level.  Again this depends on how much the company is willing to spend in producing the product.

So, at every stage of building something there are opportunities to 'save money' or 'improve quality'.  That's the trade off.  Some companies are very efficient and able to deliver better quality products at the same or better price.  Most companies target the middle market and use the power of marketing to generate hype and/or brand loyalty. There are more buyers in this segment (middle class or middle income population) and higher profit potential.

Sometimes, companies would produce the very best, 'Banner Product' or 'Top of the Line', to pull their 'Middle of the Line' products in the marketing war.  A lot of companies would produce and sell  'Banner Product'  at a loss for the sake of brand marketing.  They would make the money back and more from their 'Middle of the Line' products because of the impact that  the 'Banner Product' made.  So, the 'Middle Class' subsidize the folks that can afford to buy better products.

Some people say that it’s always the 'Middle Class' that get screwed.  I think, there is some truth to that.

Some people say that, people that always buy 'Top of the Line' products have more money than brains.  I guess everyone can decide for themselves what to buy with their hard earned monies.

Pennies for you thoughts.

[Sam Salmon]

Interesting, never heard of one.

Here you go Eagleye,




It was my first baitcaster, purchased 15 years ago

Hey I own one of those-doesn't cast worth a sh*t never did never will.
Had it serviced again this past summer and it's still a slug!