Abu Revo Premier

[cadman]

Does someone know what the problem could be. I would like to know in case this comes up again. Here is the scenario. I bought a brand new Revo Premier. At first I didn't like it, but the more I used it the more I liked it. I have used it about 10 tims, and what is happening is this? After I cast, when I start to retrieve the line, the reel handle and or level wind stops and then continues again. This only happens when the line level wind goes from center of spool to the left and from left to center. Form center to right is fine. I looked it over and can't figure this out. The other odd thing about this is this. It only happens when a lure is on the line. I took the lure off reeled in all the line, and when I crank it with the line in the reel, it reels smoothly. I'm going to return it to Bass Pro, but I can't believe that such an expensive reel has already a problem. I want to buy another one, but if this is a continuing problem I don't want (2) crappy reels. I know some guys hate these reels and some love them. I loved everything about this reel until recently...............Thanks for any input........................

Edited July 5, 2009 by cadman

[Elken]

Check to see if the cap that holds the pawl against the worm drive is loose. It sounds like the pawl is only making intermittant contact with the worm drive. It is the small black cap under the front part of the reel; the piece it sits on moves over the worm gear. If it isn't loose, you might look inside to see if the pawl is damaged or the spacers missinng. I have had the pawls wear down and act like this, but it was on a steelhead reel that had lots of use. I added some shim stock to help the pawl make contact until I could buy a new pawl. Your reel is way too new to have a worn out pawl.

[gunnie3035]

What Elk said, he probably nailed it, but also clean the little bar the level wind sits on. I've had sticky stuff get on there and it will cause it to hang up.

[LooksLikeSinbad]

Ted -

I asked someone who services reels and he said if you send it back to abu with a letter they are really good about fixing/replacing it, no questions asked.

[BobP]

I've been using a Revo SX for awhile with no problem but the level winds on many of the new very low profile reels open forward versus downward as is "traditional". Unfortunately, that means the unprotected level wind gears face toward the incoming line and any crap it's carrying during the retrieve. So I'd suspect grit or other contamination in the gears on that side. I'd send it back to Abu and let them sort it out, even if it's just to disassemble the reel and clean the level wind. Maybe they'll learn something if enough people do that.

[cadman]

Thanks for all the help guys. I went back to Bass Pro Shops, and they exchanged it for me no problem. Hopefully I won't have a problem with this one.

BoBP, you know you are correct about the level wind gears facing forward. Who in their right mind designed a $260 reel like this. I have an old ambassedeur ABU reel, and all the gearing is facing down. Never had a problem with the reel except for backlash...........You would think that a reel this expensive would perform flawlessly for a long time.

[Army Doc]

Once in a while it happens. I own 11 Revo's, some SX's, some STX's a couple Winch's and a couple Premiers. My 2nd SX was on my jig rod and the dang thing would not hold drag after a month of use. I took it back to Gander and they replaced it no questions asked. I've never had a problem with any of the other ones and I have had most of them for over a year...

Chris

[mark poulson]

I just bought two Premiers from Tacklewarehouse for $142 each, after rebate.

I hope the level wind isn't an issue for me, too.

[cadman]

I just bought two Premiers from Tacklewarehouse for $142 each, after rebate.

I hope the level wind isn't an issue for me, too.

Mark, If everything goes well you will like the reel. That is a phenominal price. I guess if I would have waited till the end of the year, I could have gotten a deal like you did. I am in the market for another one, but I'm going to see how this one works out so far so good.............We'll see.......When you get yours and use it let me know how you like it.

[mark poulson]

cadman,

I've got one with 8lb fluoro for T rigged lizards, and one with 12lb fluoro for jigs, and I'm taking them both out for a hard day of fishing tomorrow.

If I don't post Sunday, shake my tree with a post of your own, and I'll tell all.

[mark poulson]

Here's my Premier report.

First, I caught some good fish on the 8lb setup. It was a T rigged 4" lizard with a 3/16 tungsten slip sinker.

I found that on both the lizard setup and on the jig setup, I had to turn the magnetic brake all the way up, and then play with the spool tension to be able to cast without a backlash. Once I finally got it dialed in, both setups cast fine, but I find I prefer the centrifugal brakes.

And there was no problem winching in two 3lbers on the lizard, as well as several smaller fish. The drag was smooth, even though I button it down pretty good so I can get a good hookset when I swing.

No bites on the jig.

I had been throwing the lizard with a Shimano MG50, so the Revo was a little bigger and slightly heavier, but, once I got it adjusted, it was fine. But it doesn't cast like the MG.

I hate Shimano for "upgrading" the MG to the Core, for an additional $100!

I had been throwing the jig with a Pflueger Summit, which has centrifugal brakes and a magnetic brake, and which is much easier to adjust.

All in all, I'll keep the Revos on the rods I have them on now, for the next couple of weeks, to see how they hold up, and to see if I grow comfortable with them.

[cadman]

All in all, I'll keep the Revos on the rods I have them on now, for the next couple of weeks, to see how they hold up, and to see if I grow comfortable with them.

Mark I'm glad you liked them and I hpe they hold up for you. My first one had problems after about 6 months, but so far so good. I was thinking about the Pfleuger as my second one as well, but didn't know anyone that had one. On the Revo did you get the L.H or R.H crank handle? If down the road for some reason you decide to give up on the Revo PM me. I still might be interested and we can talk.BTW how do you like the Pleuger?

[mark poulson]

I bought two right hand reels.

I like the Summits, but the Premiers were so much lighter (6.35oz) I dicided to try them.

I hope I grow to love them, but only time will tell. If I don't, I'll let you know.

I really like the Summits. They are lighter (7.8oz) than the Quantums (8.6oz) I had been using. They have a light enough spool to make casting lighter stuff easier.

Before I bought the four MG 50 reels (5.9), I used them for all my finese baitcasting, like drop shot, small jerkbaits, and both T rig and split shot.

I still use the Summits, but now I use them on a jig rod, an Ika rod, and a crank rod.

I have one I keep as a spare in the boat, in case of an "unpickable" backlash. I'll just swap out the reels, and pick it out later.

I'm in the process of sending the Summits to an authorized shop for routine service.

I can rebuild the Quantums myself, but I haven't gotten that far into either the Summits or the MG50s. I'd rather let a pro do it.

[cadman]

Mark,

Thanks for all the info. I like the Revo because they are very light. I will have to take a look at a Summit. But the price of that Revo is so enticing it makes me want to buy another one. I am right handed so I cast right hand and reel left hand. I think I'll hold off another month or two and see if Tackle Warehouse still has them. But then it will be getting cold here, we'll see. Thanks very much for all your input......................Ted(Cadman)

[mark poulson]

Cadman,

Second field test.

First, the good news.

I got a 5lb5oz largemouth on a T rigged 4" Zoom lizard.

The bad news.

The nut that hold the handle on stripped out on the reel I was using for the T rig. It didn't come off when I had the fish on, but it slipped enough that the handle was cockeyed after I'd landed the fish.

I tried tightening it, a real pain on the water, but it kept slipping, until I finally took the reel off, and put the Chronarch MG 50 back on (did I ever tell you how pissed I am that they "upgraded" the MG to the Core, and added $100 to the price?).

When I went to put the Revo into the storage locker, the nut popped off, and so did the handle.

I have an older Quantum E600 with that same problem, and both it and the Revo Premier were made in Korea. The newer Quantums are not.

I don't know if this is the problem, or just a cooincidence.

I also saw on Tacklewarehouse that they now sell an upgraded Premier, with 10 BBs, and another $100 in cost. It also has centrifugal brakes, in addition to the magnets. That is a big improvement, since the magnetic brakes stink.

Figures.

[Army Doc]

If you are feeling iffy about that reel and want to sell it, lemme know. I'll take it off your hands for a reasonable price

Chris

[mark poulson]

Chris,

Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to get it replaced, and then use it. I like how light it is, and, as long as it holds up, I can find uses for it.

The handle shaft isn't stripped, only the nut.

As long as the shaft isn't machined undersized, I could always find a brass nut to use, in a worse case scenario.

But I'm pretty sure a reel that I bought three weeks ago new, and only used twice so far, is still under warranty.

[cadman]

Cadman,

Second field test.

First, the good news.

I got a 5lb5oz largemouth on a T rigged 4" Zoom lizard.

The bad news.

The nut that hold the handle on stripped out on the reel I was using for the T rig. It didn't come off when I had the fish on, but it slipped enough that the handle was cockeyed after I'd landed the fish.

I tried tightening it, a real pain on the water, but it kept slipping, until I finally took the reel off, and put the Chronarch MG 50 back on (did I ever tell you how pissed I am that they "upgraded" the MG to the Core, and added $100 to the price?).

When I went to put the Revo into the storage locker, the nut popped off, and so did the handle.

I have an older Quantum E600 with that same problem, and both it and the Revo Premier were made in Korea. The newer Quantums are not.

I don't know if this is the problem, or just a cooincidence.

I also saw on Tacklewarehouse that they now sell an upgraded Premier, with 10 BBs, and another $100 in cost. It also has centrifugal brakes, in addition to the magnets. That is a big improvement, since the magnetic brakes stink.

Figures.

Mark,

Well it's nice you're catching fish, it kind of sucks the nut stripped. I'm still really hesitant about buying another one. I think this reel will get the best of me. I was out Saturday fishing and I put my rod down. Forgot to turn the trolling motor off however it was on low. Next thing I know, I see my rod and reel go overboard. I grabbed another rod, snagged the 1st one with my Revo in the water, and retrieved it. Unfortunately the rod tip snapped as the line got caught around the trolling motor prop. Maybe I should've let it gone to the depths of the lake put me out of my misery and buy a different one. Anyway it is still drying out. I will let you know if I have any more strange dilemmas with this reel. BTW I did see the new Revo Premier that you mentioned. That price is what I paid for mine at the beginning of the year. I have a couple more months of fishing and then it will be cold here. Hopefully my Revo will last. If not next year I will be looking for something else. Maybe less cost =better reel.

[mark poulson]

Ouch! I know the feeling. I snapped the tip off a swimbait rod two months ago when I rotated my ram mounted console sonar so I could see it from the bow, and didn't notice the tip was resting against it. Grrrr!!!!!

Fortunately, it was an Okuma rod, with a lifetime warranty, so I called them and told them what happened, and, for $12.95 shipping, they sent me a new rod. Class outfit.

I would not buy another Premier. The ones I bought were on clearance to make way for the new, "improved" version.

If I had realized that (if it seems too good to be true.....), I would have thought twice about it.

But they are light, and seem to cast okay (they do not come close to the old Chronarch MG50's), so I'm thinking I'll hold onto them and use them for jigs and heavier stuff.

I'm just going to stay away from magnetic brakes from now on, unless they're on a reel that has centrifugal brakes, too, like the Summit.

[cadman]

Mark you are correct they are very light. I am going out fishing Thursday and I will see if my reel will work after it had a nice bath in the lake. I didn't take it apart to see if there was any water in it, but it seems fine. Will give you a report after Thursday's day of events.

[mark poulson]

I emailed Tacklewarehouse to ask them how to handle the defective reel.

They said either send it back to them for replacement, or give Garcia a call.

So I called Abu Garcia. They were as worthless as tits on a boar. I might as well have been talking to myself.

Sample of their genius, "Well, I guess you could send it back in to us".

Pitiful.

So I emailed Tacklewarehouse again, and told them what happened.

They sent me a replacment reel the same day, along with a return shipping tag for UPS, so I didn't have to pay for anything, and I had my replacement reel in my hands before I had to send the defective one back. Plus, someone from their store called me to see if I had gotten the replacement reel.

They are truly a class outfit.

[cadman]

Mark I am going out fishing Thursday and I will see if my reel will work after it had a nice bath in the lake. I didn't take it apart to see if there was any water in it, but it seems fine.

Well, I went out Thursday, and the reel performed flawlessly. In an 8 hour fishing tournament cast after cast with no problem. 12 bass all aroud 14" and the last one of the day was 20-1/2" (3.8 lbs). So far so good. On another note, I'm surprised that you didn't get a better response from Abu. It's pretty sad, however it was nice that Tackle Warehouse took care of your problem

Edited September 12, 2009 by cadman

[mark poulson]

Congrats. on what sounds like a good tourney bag!

Glad to hear the reel held up well, especially after it's "bath".

The woman who was totally unhelpful worked for Pure Fishing, which is the parent company, I think. Either way, she ws useless. No clue about customer service.

Just the opposite with Tacklewarehouse.