Having recently won a pair of RS2 9/10 reels on ebay, I decided to compare the two side by side, and frankly was quite surprised and unhappy with what I found. The two reels were purchased at different times, about a month apart, and from different vendors. I have made the following observations about these reels:
1. Handle material is different; the "older" reel has a wooden handle, while the newer one has the same plastic handle as the Orvis Battenkil LA reels. Automatically, I wonder if this newer reel is the "Orvis" edition I have seen mentioned in print.
2. Drag components appear to be significantly different between the two reels, with the older reel having what appears to be a larger drag plate and more sophisticated drag, in general. Perhaps this is inconsequential; perhaps the difference in appearance has nothing to do with the actual drag performance. Perhaps Bill Clinton really did only breathe in second-hand pot smoke. So, by default, the internal components of these two reels are essentially incompatible with each other. The housings themselves are the same. I have the feeling that the "older reel" is in reality a newer version of this model, particularly since the drag on the reel with the plastic handle is identical to that on my AL 11/12, which is now discontinued.
3. Spools are different in appearance, though overall dimensions are, to the best of my scrutiny, the same. Regardless, the main shaft dimensions are different, and that fact combined with difference in drag components means that the spools are not interchangeable. Well, that's a bummer. I would have liked to be able to use both spools for the same reel, and had the second main body for a back-up. Guess that was wishful thinking.
I fished with the "older" RS2 this month in the Keys and was pleased with the performance; hopefully the second reel is as good. I realize that these are inexpensive reels compared to some, but even so I would hope that the designs were consistent if they're marketed under the same model name. It would have made sense for them to release the upgrade as the RS3 or something similar if there's a significant difference in drag performance.
One other thing that troubles me is that Redington has been slowly but surely gaining a reputation for goofy products. I've been into several fly shops, and have spoken with fly shops in various areas of the country, that either have a very low regard for Redington products in general or have had insurmountable trouble with their customer service (interestingly, I've heard the same about Orvis). While I've been pleased with their reels in general, and have a pair of their rods, I wonder if there's a better alternative as far as reels are concerned in roughly the same price range, or maybe $50 more. If there's one thing I dislike, it's product inconsistency. Get it right the first time, or release future models as a revision or totally different model, but don't call it all the same thing.
Anyone have any comments or feedback?
1. Handle material is different; the "older" reel has a wooden handle, while the newer one has the same plastic handle as the Orvis Battenkil LA reels. Automatically, I wonder if this newer reel is the "Orvis" edition I have seen mentioned in print.
2. Drag components appear to be significantly different between the two reels, with the older reel having what appears to be a larger drag plate and more sophisticated drag, in general. Perhaps this is inconsequential; perhaps the difference in appearance has nothing to do with the actual drag performance. Perhaps Bill Clinton really did only breathe in second-hand pot smoke. So, by default, the internal components of these two reels are essentially incompatible with each other. The housings themselves are the same. I have the feeling that the "older reel" is in reality a newer version of this model, particularly since the drag on the reel with the plastic handle is identical to that on my AL 11/12, which is now discontinued.
3. Spools are different in appearance, though overall dimensions are, to the best of my scrutiny, the same. Regardless, the main shaft dimensions are different, and that fact combined with difference in drag components means that the spools are not interchangeable. Well, that's a bummer. I would have liked to be able to use both spools for the same reel, and had the second main body for a back-up. Guess that was wishful thinking.
I fished with the "older" RS2 this month in the Keys and was pleased with the performance; hopefully the second reel is as good. I realize that these are inexpensive reels compared to some, but even so I would hope that the designs were consistent if they're marketed under the same model name. It would have made sense for them to release the upgrade as the RS3 or something similar if there's a significant difference in drag performance.
One other thing that troubles me is that Redington has been slowly but surely gaining a reputation for goofy products. I've been into several fly shops, and have spoken with fly shops in various areas of the country, that either have a very low regard for Redington products in general or have had insurmountable trouble with their customer service (interestingly, I've heard the same about Orvis). While I've been pleased with their reels in general, and have a pair of their rods, I wonder if there's a better alternative as far as reels are concerned in roughly the same price range, or maybe $50 more. If there's one thing I dislike, it's product inconsistency. Get it right the first time, or release future models as a revision or totally different model, but don't call it all the same thing.
Anyone have any comments or feedback?