I’ve been looking at the Orvis Battenkill for a while any thinking about purchasing it but there are alot of other disc drag reels out there at a lower cost. Does anyone have a Fly Logic? How are they? Any other sugestions? Just wondering if I’m paying extra for the Orvis name?
Not sure of the price for the Orvis, but I own several G Loomis Venture series in the 3 & 5, disk drag is very smooth. The take up (wind in) is silent. Spool will spin freely. I like this feature, as it tends to wind in line as you cast from the centrifical force.
Cost $100.00 No financial interest - Just like the reels. Easy left to right hand swap as well.
Pete
I have a Battenkill 7/8 and 8/9 that I have been using in saltwater for 10 years and both have held up fine and though scratched up, still function as new. I also have 3/4 for the same length of time that still functions as well as it did when new. These are the cast frame versions, not the Bar Stock. Since Orvis move to an Asian manufacturer, the price on these is now less than $90. Quality appears the same.
The Bar Stock has the same drag but is more solid.
It looks to me like the Orvis Battenkill reels, the regular or the Bar Stock, are roughly equivalent in price to the Fly Logic reels.
The Battenkill has been around forever with minimul changes. While being a little bit heavy, the BBs came along with a lighter feel and weight. About the only difference is the click system in fact some of the spools are interchangeable. And they have a fare warranty. The Loomis is a beautiful reel also.
I’ve got a couple of cast battenkills and they are very much worth the $. I’m also confident that spare spools, and warranty repair will be there for some time to come. Be careful comparing “disc” drag reels b/c there are at least 3 different varieties, all with dif.price points. Even among cork discs there are a couple very different types. The B-kill is not a “stop a sub drag”, but it’s not priced as one, and at least internally it’s all metal.
rorsborn
Battenkill questions. What is the difference between the cast and bar stock? Which one is made in China and is buying the USA model a better choice?
All orvis reels are made in Korea now. The BBS is a very light, and the traditional is a little on the heavy side(not real heavy, but a bit much for ultra lights).
I have the FLP890 Fly Logic reel. Wow, does that reel have capacity. It was a good price, the drag is fine and it looks good too. I think Fly Logic is one of those oft-overlooked vendors. I also own two Fly Logic rods, a 3/4 wt and an 8/9 wt.
I too vote for the Tica Fishmaster reel. I have the S 103model and for the money, It CANNOT BE MATCHED. It’s a cnc machined from bar stock beauty, smooth as silk rotation, that can be purchased on line for under $60. I also have, love and use an Orvis Battenkill 3/4 .
Mark
PS: I’d be curious to know what someone saw was a problem with the Tica.
I recently purchase a flylogic FLP reel, excellent mid range reel, very well made, must be one of the most over looked companies. You honestly can’t go wrong with one of there reels. I’m sure this company will continue to grow as more people are exposed to there products.
[This message has been edited by nsonthefly (edited 01 March 2006).]
Again two different weights. The Orvis mid arbor, a little on the heavy side with a metal to cork drag. The LA has the same inners as the BBS, plus a brace to keep the gears where they belong. And they are light.
Thanks Fly Goddess I think I am getting the mid arbor more backing capacity for the large alaska trout. hopfully it will go nice on my new winston rod.
PaGuy
Thanks Fly Goddess I think I am getting the mid arbor more backing capacity for the large alaska trout. hopfully it will go nice on my new winston rod.
I am not sure what size your Winston is (assuming for Alaska probably 6Wt-9wt) But, FWIW, I bought the BBS IV for my 8wt. (with 200 yrds. of Gel Spun backing). The reel is large enough, but very light still and with all that backing it is close to being a Large Arbor anyway. What I mean is the Fly line is on the outer part of the larger reel, doesn’t come off too curly and backing realy isn’t a problem with curl. Does that make sense? I have several (BFR) Mid Arbor reels, but, I do trust the battenkill drag more on the bigger fish.