Phantom hyper vs Stradic

[slothparade]

Sorry to bring this up again.  

But I have been looking around at some different reels. 

I was curious what peoples thoughts are on the phantom hyper and how it compares aggainst a stradic. also look at abu but struggling to find what i want second hand 

also are the stradic ci4 or the newer ones better? like for the same second hand price (usually) not sure which to take 

Chasing a 3000 size. 

 

[Seafarer5]

Mate get a stradic fl. They are bullet proof little reels for less than $300. I think the phantom hyper was brought out to rival the stradic but never really took off. Also I have heard plenty of average reviews about the latest ci4 vanford so save the extra dollars and get the fl. I regularly catch 60-65cm GT’s on my little 2500 with 8lb braid and it is still as good as the day I bought it

[Rebel]

Stradic ci4. The old one.

As they say Bullet proof.

[Green Hornet]

I'm another big fan of the Ci4's.

I'm still running a couple of the original F series reels and have only had to swap out line roller bearings and worn out drag washers. The gears are still tight and running as good as new.

Stick with something tried and tested, especially if purchasing second hand.

Edited April 30, 2022 by Green Hornet

[SquidMarks]

 i have 2 x  4000 stradic ci4's (not the plus, the originals, they look like this)

great reels, as Green Hornet mentioned, only had to swap roller bearings ( a couple times now as the reel gets a fair bit of use, swapping a roller bearing is childs play and shimano sells them cheap). My reels are almost 10 years old, though they have a fair few battle scars, they still run well (im not looking to retire them anytime soon) and they have been in some serious battles (from drag screaming large eagle rays and stingrays, to almost 1m kings to snapper soft plastic flicking, hell i even used them to do some kingie jigging at one point).

 

Also worth a mention, i have 2 rareniums around the same age but in the 2500 size for estuary work. Look like the photo below.. The are holding up even better than the stradics ci4's! (geez i will miss these reels when they eventually kick the bucket!)>

 

[slothparade]

On 4/30/2022 at 10:13 AM, Rebel said:

Stradic ci4. The old one.

As they say Bullet proof.

the ci4 or the ci4+ I dont want to go to old as I plan to use these reels for the next few years and will need access to spare parts. Had to unfortunately learn the hard way 

[slothparade]

On 4/30/2022 at 6:16 AM, Seafarer5 said:

Mate get a stradic fl. They are bullet proof little reels for less than $300. I think the phantom hyper was brought out to rival the stradic but never really took off. Also I have heard plenty of average reviews about the latest ci4 vanford so save the extra dollars and get the fl. I regularly catch 60-65cm GT’s on my little 2500 with 8lb braid and it is still as good as the day I bought it

Alright, will keep an eye out. Im aiming at getting one for $200 or a ci4 for less than $200. Yeah I suspect so, personally I like the look of the phantom hyper better but as you said, never really took off. I personally don't know anyone with them but theyre meant to be alright. It really depends on the price and offers I get will decide between the vanford or the stradic. I don't really have a preference. I preferaby want a 3k size as I need the stopping power for my spot in the harbour but also will use it offshore. 

[slothparade]

On 4/30/2022 at 10:36 AM, Green Hornet said:

I'm another big fan of the Ci4's.

I'm still running a couple of the original F series reels and have only had to swap out line roller bearings and worn out drag washers. The gears are still tight and running as good as new.

Stick with something tried and tested, especially if purchasing second hand.

Thanks very much will be focusing more on the ci4+ 

The F series is pretty old and would be hard to get spare parts im guessing. would prefer a bit newer just so I have access to parts. 

Will be making sure its in good working order before buying, but thanks. 

[Green Hornet]

41 minutes ago, slothparade said:

Thanks very much will be focusing more on the ci4+ 

The F series is pretty old and would be hard to get spare parts im guessing. would prefer a bit newer just so I have access to parts. 

Will be making sure its in good working order before buying, but thanks. 

I wasn’t necessarily saying go with an F series Ci4. The point I was trying to make is all models of Ci4s have stood up to the test of longevity.

You’re right to a degree that some parts on older reels are discontinued and hard to source, though many parts from later models are interchangeable.

If you service a Ci4 regularly, it should last forever before the gears show any sign of wear and things like bearings are easily sourced from a bearing specialist. 

When the drag washers need replacing, you can buy a suitable felt from a craft store like Spotlight and make your own.

 

[PaddyT]

Stradics have always been excellent value for money , ive got a Ci4 3000 that gets abused as a bait and squid reel (as well as spinning for small pelagics, flatties etc etc) that i hooked a small black marlin on while jigging for bait a few years ago. Fight went over the 30 minute mark and the reel was fine-i was however going very hard on the drag and the washers cooked off-but thats an easy fix

[slothparade]

55 minutes ago, Green Hornet said:

I wasn’t necessarily saying go with an F series Ci4. The point I was trying to make is all models of Ci4s have stood up to the test of longevity.

You’re right to a degree that some parts on older reels are discontinued and hard to source, though many parts from later models are interchangeable.

If you service a Ci4 regularly, it should last forever before the gears show any sign of wear and things like bearings are easily sourced from a bearing specialist. 

When the drag washers need replacing, you can buy a suitable felt from a craft store like Spotlight and make your own.

 

Ahh alright thanks. 

yeah Im mostly worried about something major failing or just a small spring or somehing unique to the reel 

I guess thats the same with most decent reels, just look after them though. 

I thought they would have had carbon drags? Im guessing theres aftermarket ones avaliable?

[Green Hornet]

2 minutes ago, slothparade said:

Ahh alright thanks. 

yeah Im mostly worried about something major failing or just a small spring or somehing unique to the reel 

I guess thats the same with most decent reels, just look after them though. 

I thought they would have had carbon drags? Im guessing theres aftermarket ones avaliable?

Being more of a finesse reel that the regular Stradic the Ci4's come with felt washers, at least the 4 that I own do and in my opinion, for light tackle work nothing is smoother than felt.

If you want more drag pressure you can buy aftermarket Carbontex washers to fit, or get Carbontex sheet and cut your own. 

[slothparade]

14 minutes ago, Green Hornet said:

Being more of a finesse reel that the regular Stradic the Ci4's come with felt washers, at least the 4 that I own do and in my opinion, for light tackle work nothing is smoother than felt.

If you want more drag pressure you can buy aftermarket Carbontex washers to fit, or get Carbontex sheet and cut your own. 

is there much difference between felt and carbon for finesse? Obviously won't be using it for heavy stuff as ive seen what can happen when the felt gets hot. Im guessing you have to grease the felt as well?

[Green Hornet]

The "start up" slipping of a felt drag is smoother than Carbontex and with the felt washers being more compressable, the addition of drag pressure is not as aggressive. By this I mean, let's say to add a kilo of drag pressure with Carbontex it takes half a turn of the knob, felt will take a full turn, making it easier to fine tune an adjustment.

I've always just oiled my felt washers with the same oil I use for my reel servicing (Inox MX5) the stuff that comes in a needle nosed bottle, not the spray can. Just apply enough to thoroughly dampen the washer, not soak it.