Okay, maybe I am partial, but I have the following Orvis reels.
Battenkill 5/6 click & pawl
Battenkill 5/6 disc
BBS II - one crome and one black
Orvis LA II
As Colston mentioned, they are grand reels.
It’s not only labor costs. In the US, setting up any new factory costs big money. Once the EPA impact assessments are done, and the bickering with all the “not in my back yard” planning and zoning, then the endless paperwork and tax structure make creating anything in the US quite an expensive proposition. It’s not all about cheap labor although that is part of it.
Shipping from China is not cheap, but the more relaxed environmental hoops and the lower labor (and the fact it’s the fashionable thing to do right now) all combine to bring us to where we are.
Jeff
I don’t have the BBS reel – I do have 2 of the Battenkill mid-arbor.
They are OK reels – nothing special at all.
In fact, the mid arbon is the same reel as the Pfleuger Trion and many other types of reels – only the cut outs are different – otherwise spools are interchangeable with the Trion and others.
Orvis ‘makes’(sells) some great stuff. I have their basic rod, the Streamline. Got it for $29.00 at Sierra Trading Post on closeout. It is still one of my favorite rods.
Battenkill large arbor looks very nice. My fishing buddy has one and I have never seen him have a problem or complain about it. YOu might also check out the Cabelas SLA reel. It was on sale here recently. I bought one and like it very much(just make sure to check the drag lock nut before using it)
We are off on a tangent, so I won’t make it too long. I don’t know that I agree with the assertion that is no cheaper here than England. Everything in England costs more, particularly in southern England, and one manufacturing there bears currency risk as well. Big swings in conversion rates will hit hard, and one either bears the cost of heading or the risk in conversion. Then you have to figure in taxation at the origin and then repatriation, which may hurt even with a tax credit for those paid abroad.
Setting up factories in the Pacific coast states is a nightmare even if one is not seeking air, water, or waste permits. In a lot of states, such as the south, it can be done more easily. Moreover, a lot of places offer state and local tax incentives to set up show. Mountain Home, Ar was an example I used because it has trout water nearby and because it has been hit fairly hard with the loss of boat manufacturing. Go to a place like that where labor is fairly skilled, cut a deal with the state and local govt on taxes and training, and set up shop.
One of the main reasons I think Orvis would be better off is that it is a premium brand. There are job shop contractors in China with very good machining skills, for sure, but a manufacturer needs to keep an engineer on hand to monitor and inspect to make sure it is right before it ever leaves the country. I’ve been involved in a number of manufacturing contracts and disputes, it’s not the easiest place in the world to get things done or to resolve a dispute.
Post Script: Remarkably, as soon as I posted the comments above, I received a call from a client about product shipments from China. It looks like is lawsuit time again.
I had an SLA 2 years ago. The thing was great to begin with, but the drag froze up on me. then when trying to undo the screw the screw sheered off into the post (I USED NO FORCE AT ALL) I was dumbfounded… the thing sat in my drawer for a year. Then last weekend I started to think about how much I paid for it, and was annoyed. Took it back to a cabela’s retail store. They did an even exchange for a new one.
Great customer service, but I’m still wary of the reel. I’m hoping i just had a bad one. 
Woww!!! It seems like you can’t go wrong for this reel. Originally, a friend asked me for my opinion on this reel. I was impressed with what Orvis had to say on their website and that got me interested too. It would fit most of my fishing situations and I definitley have some confidence in the quality of the product now. Ahhh looks like I have to buy another reel now:p
Thanks for the replys,
Logan
Orvis just came out with a free spare spool if you buy the Battenkill bar stock reel or the Battenkill Mid Arbor reel.
Larry —sagefisher—
Orvis ran the same free spool deal last year too and I took advantage of it and got a new 10wt for pike and musky fishing.
I have four Battenkill reels and have had no problems and like them. I will probably buy more as I know these are good reels from experience. Are there others that are as good or better, sure.
I can only echo what everyone else has said…a great reel and a good bang for the buck. I own a BBSII with my 7 weight Clearwater II rod that I use for smallies.