I have added Avail magnetic brakes to some of my 12Aldebaran BFS XG's and my Aldebaran MGL30 and I like them a lot. Not sure about the Conquest but I like what I have.
Conquest BFS 2023
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
The main reason is that the round reels have more bearings and smoother gears. I have several Metaniums and a 22 Bantam, they are great reels, fantastic casters and all that. However when I got a Conquest DC 200 I was blown away by how much smoother the round reels are. Then I picked up 2 Conquest DC 100’s and I just love them, they don’t cast any better than the Bantam or Metanium, but just the solid feel and how smooth they are just sold me.2por wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:43 pmCan someone explain the hype for the Conquest BFS reels? From what I understand, the gear, drag, level wind, and break systems are basically the same as the current low-profile reel designs. The only difference I see, really, is the frame shape and material.
In contrast, the older Abu round reels I’ve seen on some of the Japanese stream fishing videos seem to function differently, specifically the level wind moving as the line feeds out on a cast and the way spool gets put into free spool. I’d imagine the breaks and drag function differently as well.
I didn’t grow up fishing round reels so pardon the ignorance. Just going by what videos I see. Is the hype on round reels just due to the old aesthetics?
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Re: Conquest BFS 2023
The forged aluminium must absorb the mechanical resonance in them, other than the cast aluminium frames.
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Most round reels are machined from a single piece of metal... forging is how a something like a sword is made by heating and reheating the metal and pounding it into shape.
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Pretty much. I love round reels, there are no longer any low profile reels in my possession, got rid of them all. Rounds are my preference; the higher quality feel, the beautifully crafted components, and the substantial feel in hand do it for me. They're the Rolexes of fishing reels. The Millionaire, Ryoga, Calcutta Conquest, Morrum, and even the Ambassadeur for as antiquated as it is, showcase the true craftsmanship a manufacturer is capable of. These reels aren't often the most expensive products the manufacturer has to offer, but they are still statement pieces to a degree in that their classic looks remain timeless no matter how many years or even decades have passed. Round reels are a lot like classic cars, in that they have class and character whereas the other stuff looks like an electric shaver. Now from a functionality standpoint, the newer low profile stuff is where cutting edge technologies are introduced like your more advanced spools and braking systems, but that usually works its way to the round reels at some point especially in the case of Daiwa and Shimano.2por wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:43 pmCan someone explain the hype for the Conquest BFS reels? From what I understand, the gear, drag, level wind, and break systems are basically the same as the current low-profile reel designs. The only difference I see, really, is the frame shape and material.
In contrast, the older Abu round reels I’ve seen on some of the Japanese stream fishing videos seem to function differently, specifically the level wind moving as the line feeds out on a cast and the way spool gets put into free spool. I’d imagine the breaks and drag function differently as well.
I didn’t grow up fishing round reels so pardon the ignorance. Just going by what videos I see. Is the hype on round reels just due to the old aesthetics?
As to the small Ambassadeurs, those are my favorites. They use a synchronized level wind to keep line laid evenly on the spool. With the drag, it's the same as any other baitcaster, just carbon, felt, or teflon discs sandwiched between metal washers. This was pioneered by ABU back in 1952 and is still the golden standard in drag design and composition. They also use a pure centrifugal brake which is very effective for all but the very lightest of baits. Both my 2500Cs and my 1600C IAR are way less fussy to cast than my newer stuff. 2 of the smallest brake shoes, zero spool tension, and they will cast from 1/16 up trouble free without any further adjustments whether I'm doing short range pitches or having to put it out there. With my Millionaires and my Calcutta Conquest BFS, I often find myself adjusting the braking according to the conditions, the Abu needs no such adjusting. Set it and forget it. Where most people knock the synchronized level wind is that it does hinder casting distance to a degree, but not a troublesome amount and when river fishing it isn't a concern in the first place.
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Well bad news on the Conquest. Our favorite distance is everything tester on YouTube just posted a video showing the Conquest having aluminum gears. They also are not tier 1 micro module gears. They look like the identical potted gears from the Aldebaran BFS. If I get one now I'd hope for a better price. If not I'd rather have the 2017 model for what I do.
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Re: Conquest BFS 2023
The frame is forged and machined to tolerance, all Calcutta's have been. You know a cast frame in comparison the Cardiff - but even that's good at hiding noise.
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Re: Conquest BFS 2023
That’s interesting… they must forge the bar stock
Oh wait… cold forged… I was thinking hot forged.. carry on
Oh wait… cold forged… I was thinking hot forged.. carry on
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
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Re: Conquest BFS 2023
They must do multiple passes and have some sort of 3D process now. I had a picture of the process of the Calcutta B series from way back when, it was a multi pass system and showed the removal of the inner spool void and stamping etc.
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Yeah… the tooling must be insane… here I was picturing in my head, somebody holding a molten piece of metal trying to hammer it into the shape of a reel
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
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Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Well it's the same process of the main gear in their spinning reels, the aluminium is quiet ductile (for the lack of a better word at 0730am in the morning) when it's being squeezed between two immovable object and it's associated tonnages.
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Re: Conquest BFS 2023
That would make an awesome promo video
IG @hobie_wan_kenobi_fishing
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
The aluminum they machine the reel out of has undergone a process of pressing the molecules of the alloy closer together to make a stronger more dense material than cast through extrusion. Its sort of like a forgeing.
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Yah... we went through that kind of in the follow on comments ... all good
Cal, Managing Editor
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
"fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside"
Re: Conquest BFS 2023
Interesting; cold & hot forging of aluminum:
https://www.artisanmake.com/blog/what-i ... rts-7075t6
I learned something today
https://www.artisanmake.com/blog/what-i ... rts-7075t6
I learned something today