Post by Purple on Oct 2, 2014 13:52:23 GMT
This a review of the Avet SX 5.3 MC reel:
I bought this one 6 months ago for a boat trip out of Dartmouth, and had the chance to use it over the next four days for pretty much everything. But as with all reviews, including the many I read before buying, everyone contradicts each other – ‘twas ever thus
So, here’s the one from me – no bull, simply the truth …….
First up, my reasons for buying this reel were fairly simply – I wanted a multiplier that would handle braid line, be reliable, simple to use, and wouldn’t need servicing every time I used the thing.
I’d heard from mates who have the usual run-of-the-mill reels that didn’t mind if they blew up on a trip. Cheap enough to chuck over-board, they had two or three of the things anyway – just didn’t care. Hey, pack three Slosh 30’s, just in case ……
I figured I had one chance at this. If I could get it right fist time, I’d be happy. If I muffed it up out of the box, it’d put me off multipliers for ever, (as you may have guessed by now, I prefer egg-whisks, it’s so much easier). So, rather than buy three reels (just in case) – this purchase was a bit more “critical”. One chance to get it right - as I be out on the boat for the next four days.
I’d heard that the early Avets were prone to corrosion – well maybe – but unlikely. The thing is built like a brick out-house. Small they may be, but shy they ‘aint. The business parts are milled from solid metal, not cast like many others, and subsequently anodised. You pick up a Slosh 30 and it feels like a lump of plastic. Pick up one of these things and it’s all metal.
Despite its narrow dimensions, the reel is well up to the task, and makes it a lot easier to use when you consider that you don’t need “level wind” on a spool this size. Level wind only increases friction anyway, and the narrow (but deep) spool lends itself to simply thumbing the line across if needed – and it’s seldom needed.
“Backing” is an issue on these reels, as they are prone to line slip when using braid. This can happen when the spool “slips” inside the braid, making the drag useless. I had the chance to put this to the test when snagged on a wreck mid-channel. Trust me, the cure is simple – but it works. Simply put some mono on first, tie that to the braid, and at that point add several layers of insulating tape. If the way the boat was swinging round on my rod was anything to go by, the drag was just fine ..............
Speaking of the drag, it’s a lever, and has four positions. The lowest is “free-spool” and does what it says on the tin. Second is “bait runner”, so called because you can adjust the drag at this stage to allow for live bait. Third is “strike” which puts around 14 pounds of drag into the reel, enough to hook up most of what we find off British shores without worrying about straightening the hook or tearing it out of the fish. The fourth is “full” – and it’ll pull the plug out.
The issues I found with this, is that you first have to “set” the drag according to how you’re fishing – and the only way you can adjust the drag when fishing, is to put the reel into free-spool first. Sure – no problem most of the time, but it puts a stop to the “bait runner” as they’re both on the same drag. Anyway, the advantages to this set-up, are that if you set the “strike” drag to detect bites (and put the clicker on) you can walk away from the rod and simply keep your ears open – it won’t go over the side. If you get a bite – whack it up to “full” and you’re in. Once you’re used to how the reel works it’s simple enough to master, and it only took me half an hour to understand all the variables from the point of view of a beginner with multipliers.
In the end I found it better to set-up the drag according to the situation – it only takes a few seconds of adjustment courtesy of the knob on the side – but you can forget all the advertising blurb that will tell you the reel will do this and that. The functions are quite separate, and need to be dealt with separately. However, as said, it doesn’t take long to get your head around it.
As for the MC – “Magnetic Cast” – I was attracted to this as I’d thought it would keep me out of trouble. It stops over-run on the reel while casting, but you’re still supposed to thumb the reel when your gear hits the water. I figure the “thumb” bit comes into play as a safety, and the reel does lend itself to being “thumbed” , which makes this reel more useable (if you’re not used to multipliers) for beach casting. I’m all for versatility.
Conclusions:
Well, for ease of use I’ll give it a 10 (once you get used to how to use it to get the best out of it).
For durability I’d give it a ten – on that four day trip we had some pretty grim sounds coming from other reels (including Slosh 30’s) – the Avet was still as smooth as slik (all 8 bearings still intact).
Cosmetics – Well, I’d bought this reel from Ebay as “used once”. Frankly I couldn’t tell it from new. And After four days of heavy use, it still looks like new. Four months on, and it still feels like new when you turn it over. From what I can tell, the thing’s bullet proof.
I’d have to also rate it as not just being a boat reel, although I haven’t yet tried it, there’s no reason not to consider this as dual use on the beach as well. It’ll take 300 yards of 25lb braid, and the backing, still with room to spare, and the MC calms things down a lot.
Finally – the retrieve rate – 5.3 to one. A little slower than most in a boat wrecking situation, but still perfectly do-able – I was seldom the last one “up”. Avet do a dual speed 6/4 at twice the price, and I’d love to afford that – but as a first time buy, I’m quite happy with what I’ve got ….
I figure the reel (with due care) will look as good as new for as long as possible – far outlasting many others. Also, mechanically the reel is still solid as a rock, which keeps servicing costs to a minimum - for me, maybe every two seasons (plenty of people around in the UK capable of doing this, and simple enough to do it yourself).
All in all – if you want “one” decent multiplier, this is the way to go – if you’re happy to continue to throw away reel after reel – feel free.
I know what I’d choose …….
(I’d like to say that “No Slosh 30’s were harmed during this review” – but most of them packed up) …….