What's it gonna be? 22 Stella or 22 Exist

[njbasscat]

I'm torn between which one to get. I have an 18 Exist and love it but the new Stella looks sweet. Is anyone else picking up either one of these. If so, why did you choose one over the other?

[ss30378]

The exist is more expensive so it has to be better right?

In all seriousness the Stella intrigues me more…

[jprice92]

I'm torn between which one to get. I have an 18 Exist and love it but the new Stella looks sweet. Is anyone else picking up either one of these. If so, why did you choose one over the other?

I am torn between the two as well. I’m leaning towards the exist mostly because of how impressed I was with my Luvias airity but I’ve always wanted a Stella. Tough choice

[jprice92]

The exist is more expensive so it has to be better right?

In all seriousness the Stella intrigues me more…

Why does the Stella intrigue you more?

[goldrod]

Both...

I havent brought a spinning reel in a very long time and Im excited about them but I would only pick one.
I just like the looks of the stella

[ss30378]

The exist is more expensive so it has to be better right?

In all seriousness the Stella intrigues me more…

Why does the Stella intrigue you more?

The line management (slow oscillation spool and the anti twist fin) vs the exist locomotion oscillation is what is intriguing to me. This obviously is just paper marketing points so how it translates to real world improvements who knows? I do like the more simplistic design of the exist and I think the exist will probably have less rotational resistance because of that which is also a plus.

[Drakestar]

I like the way the new Stella looks, but it’s even heavier than the last-gen model. Meanwhile, the 22 Exists (2500) weighs 1.1oz less than a comparable Stella, and Daiwa sells a 2000 model (that looks like a 1000 in weight but with more spool capacity) while Shimano doesn’t have a 2000. Hmm

[Cristo]

My obligatory response to this quandry...

Easy decision, none

[Cristo]

This is what happens when I even think about this subject

[bronzefly]

After a long love affair with Stella, I left her in 18 when the first Exist LT came out Stella always has been and should always be a spectacular reel of course, but after how good 18 Exist LT has been to me, plus Executive Service, I'm all in on new 22 Exist.

[Cranky]

Rolls Royce vs Formula 1 car. You’re gonna find lots of fans of either and/or both. My overall opinion on the 2018 versions was that one feels more heavy/solid with lower overall winding inertia and the other is noticeably lighter and more sporty feeling with more winding inertia. I can’t wait to see the 2022 models head to head myself and since Daiwa made a concerted effort to lower the 22 Exist winding inertia I’m not going to claim the 22 models will compare the same way I feel the 18 models did.

22 Exist is mostly an upgrade of the previous model (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing) and 22 Stella is a similar upgrade too but does actually have some slightly different “on the water” features. I’m more interested in trying the new Stella features, specifically the ultra slow line lay and new line retention fin since I’m usually running extremely thin PE/braided lines. I could actually see hating the line retention fin when fishing in cold weather (aka below freezing) but I’m willing to give it an honest shot first.

In true TackleTour fashion I can only recommend buying both.

[jprice92]

After a long love affair with Stella, I left her in 18 when the first Exist LT came out Stella always has been and should always be a spectacular reel of course, but after how good 18 Exist LT has been to me, plus Executive Service, I'm all in on new 22 Exist.

I’m waiting for y’all to put that pre order up on the new Exist!

[mrpao]

If i only had to choose one, it would be the Exist.
I do love the Stella's but in my hand the Exist feels better.
My current Stella's stay at home. My Exist's are usually in the boat with me.
But why just one model. Probably end up getting both reels eventually.

[BRONZEBACK32]

I like the looks of both, I would probably choose the Stella myself, it would balance my 7'6" spinning rods better.

I still love my Stella 18....

[hoohoorjoo]

But why just one model. Probably end up getting both reels eventually.

Here on TT, this is the correct answer.