Zdenk01 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Hi Raiders, Is there any benefit ugrading to carbontex washers ? smoother drag, drag pressure increase etc !!!!!! Ive got some 2500 size reels which need some attention zed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csaba Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I have been looking to get an answer as well. I have a Sustain 4000fd and a couple of smaller reels that I would not mind upgrading. But as you said, is it worth it and are they better than the stock felt ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roosterman Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 i think you answered yr own Q there ... if the reel needs service anyway then put carbontex in as costs are not that much different... yes the drag will be silky smooth and an increase as well... the start up of drag especially will be a major advantage when fishing gear to its limits or ultra light line etc... send slinky a pm and im sure he will give a more detailed answer... hope this helps... cheers...steve...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinkymalinky Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 The short answer is 'yes', they are definitely an upgrade. That's not just my opinion but that of some of the most notable reel engineers and experts in the business. Nearly all of my reels have either carbon washers standard (like the Sorons) or I upgrade them with Carbontex washers. I install them with a coat of Cal's or Shimano drag grease... a few people still prefer to install them dry but this list is getting shorter. Carbon washers will usually give you an increase in maximum drag pressure (for example in my 2500 Stradics it increased from around 3.5kg to over 5kg) but that's not the main advantage I look for. Compared to the 'oiled felt', greased carbon washers deliver much smoother drag across the full drag range. They also help eliminate start-up inertia (the tendency of a drag to need a bit more pressure to start it giving line... again, my stradics from memory had a start up drag of close to 4kg before settling at 3.5... with carbontex washers there is no start-up inertia at all in them). The argument for grease is one based mostly on protection (as well as smoothness)... greased washers are protected from water and salt intrusion that can effect the performance of any drag. Ask any of the Fishraiders for whom I've done drag upgrades... Definitely worth the $10 or so to upgrade!! Cheers, Slinky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacky Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) Could you tell me where i can buy some carbontex washers ? Edited January 17, 2011 by blacky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gretsch Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 (edited) Mate.. I had my Stella SW 10000 HG done and it made it worse. It is now sticky and when the fish runs, the drag is jerky. In saying that, I had a smaller 3000 HG Stella done after I smoked the drag up at Melville on big Jew and it is much better. The question is, is your current drag jerky and rough? Edited January 17, 2011 by Cephalopod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinkymalinky Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Picking up on what Ceph has said... be very cautious upgrading drags in top of the line reels... Stellas and Saltigas for example have incredibly fine tolerances in their manufacturing and the thickness of the drag washers only needs to be out by fractions of millimeters before it can cause problems. I've heard a few people who've found that Carbontex washers in Saltiga's for example, change the drag profile. My advice is that if you've paid for a reel with a drag as good as a Stella or Saltiga, then there's little reason to 'upgrade' unless you have a problem. Ceph... I'm guessing that's the problem with your Stella. Did you swap back in the original washers? The only potential problem with the originals is they seriously don't like getting wet. Cheers, Slinky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gretsch Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Picking up on what Ceph has said... be very cautious upgrading drags in top of the line reels... Stellas and Saltigas for example have incredibly fine tolerances in their manufacturing and the thickness of the drag washers only needs to be out by fractions of millimeters before it can cause problems. I've heard a few people who've found that Carbontex washers in Saltiga's for example, change the drag profile. My advice is that if you've paid for a reel with a drag as good as a Stella or Saltiga, then there's little reason to 'upgrade' unless you have a problem. Ceph... I'm guessing that's the problem with your Stella. Did you swap back in the original washers? The only potential problem with the originals is they seriously don't like getting wet. Cheers, Slinky No Slinky.. I still have the Carbontex washers in it but, it is sitting under a pile of crap in the corner of my garage. I must change it back and get it out on the water again. BTW, I have the new Saltiga and have managed to wreck that drag also on harbour Kings. I think that regardless of the reel, fishing locked up drags isn't good for reels in general. They need to mak a reel with no drag at all!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Baker Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Upgrade to Carbontex? Like the Nike slogan says "Just Do It"! All my reels have greased carbon fibre drag washers. I've been converted over the course of 12 months to upgrade and i haven't looked back. Some Cals or shimano drag grease is preferred for silky smooth performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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