Now they have been around some time what are peoples opinion on them? Had them on my 10ft 2.25tc scopes and they have been OK but always thought a more robust sing leg guide would be better. Over the last two years ish I've been casting several different friends distance rods as I was after a set myself and some had minima guides but I never thought they really suited any of these rods being relatively heavy blanks the lightest probably the 13ft infinity 4.25tc which was great to cast until braid was used and the grating noise on the retrieve put me off the rod. Anyway my distance rods don't have them but looking at a few spod/spomb rods which would likely be used with braid and some seem to come with minima guides which is putting me off buying so may go custom route and kegan guides. I've also seen seval sets of high end custom built rods for sale hardly used or unused with minimal and wondered why anyone would spec a high end custom build with these guides as they are fairly cheap.
In reply to Post #1
I have no personal experience of their use , Goose.
However I requested my rod builder to fit two Minima 4 TV Frame Black Tich 50mm butt rings to a pair of Fox Warrior rods.
One of the rods arrived damaged and the vendor made no attempt to get them collected and I was fully refunded by paypal for both.
I thought it would be very hard to get a match for the damaged butt ring after looking at what was available so decided to get both rods butt rings replaced with something that I thought would be less susceptible to damage by having a stainless insert.
The builder was dead set against fitting them despite having an account with Hopkins stating the finish was awful and it took far too much work flatting the feet and dressing them before whipping. He also said if I wanted durability I would be disappointed as they distorted easily.
He eventually sourced one identical ring from a pal of his who works for Sonik Sports.
I have no personal experience of their use , Goose.
However I requested my rod builder to fit two Minima 4 TV Frame Black Tich 50mm butt rings to a pair of Fox Warrior rods.
One of the rods arrived damaged and the vendor made no attempt to get them collected and I was fully refunded by paypal for both.
I thought it would be very hard to get a match for the damaged butt ring after looking at what was available so decided to get both rods butt rings replaced with something that I thought would be less susceptible to damage by having a stainless insert.
The builder was dead set against fitting them despite having an account with Hopkins stating the finish was awful and it took far too much work flatting the feet and dressing them before whipping. He also said if I wanted durability I would be disappointed as they distorted easily.
He eventually sourced one identical ring from a pal of his who works for Sonik Sports.
In reply to Post #2
That's why I don't want them, just feel they are more suited to lighter rods not distance casting tools and not sure how long they will last on a spod/spomb rod with braid and heavy loads.
That's why I don't want them, just feel they are more suited to lighter rods not distance casting tools and not sure how long they will last on a spod/spomb rod with braid and heavy loads.
In reply to Post #1
I've got them on both sets of rods i have - Cotswold R1 (3.25lb) and R1FTs (3.5lb).
I had a cast with the smae blank made up with 'normal' (ie lined) rings and felt that the weight difference improved the responsiveness of the blank.
Ive had the FTs for about 6 years, and the R1's about 3 and had no issues with damage/longevity/wear etc.
I dont think id go back to lined rings personally.
I've got them on both sets of rods i have - Cotswold R1 (3.25lb) and R1FTs (3.5lb).
I had a cast with the smae blank made up with 'normal' (ie lined) rings and felt that the weight difference improved the responsiveness of the blank.
Ive had the FTs for about 6 years, and the R1's about 3 and had no issues with damage/longevity/wear etc.
I dont think id go back to lined rings personally.
In reply to Post #1
Are these unlined like the Vortex Airs that are all the rage? Rod builders I've been speaking with recently asked whether I was a regular braid user and potentially recommended against if I was - they can wear down / remove the coating over time so assume this is cosmetic damage rather than performance based . . .?
Are these unlined like the Vortex Airs that are all the rage? Rod builders I've been speaking with recently asked whether I was a regular braid user and potentially recommended against if I was - they can wear down / remove the coating over time so assume this is cosmetic damage rather than performance based . . .?
#4#5 like I say I have them on scopes in 2.25tc and like them but it's more for distance rods that may be used with braid to help distance and spod/spomb rods that again will be used with braid. Agree thee lack of weight makes a difference in feel but think its more noticeable on lighter blanks but they definitely are not as robust as other common guides like kegan 3d,slite,fuji k etc.
In reply to Post #1
Hi Goose - I have had them on two sets of rods and didnt like them, 50mm ring sets.
You can get awful noise as line & braid passes over a very small / unlined contact area.
Now my new rods 13' Aviator plus were built with Fuji K series, 40mm ring sets = different class altogether.
Hi Goose - I have had them on two sets of rods and didnt like them, 50mm ring sets.
You can get awful noise as line & braid passes over a very small / unlined contact area.
Now my new rods 13' Aviator plus were built with Fuji K series, 40mm ring sets = different class altogether.
I had a set of Aviators built and was lead away from the vortex/minima type as I pretty much exclusively use braid. Nothing to do with wear/longevity, purely because braid makes a clattering racket being cast though them. I went with 40mm Fuji BKWAG guides in the end and happy with them.
I have minimas on a set of scopes I use for boat fishing and they take far more abuse than the distance casting with the Aviators. Braided line, 10oz leads winched back though big weed beds, chucked in and out of a boat etc and not a sign of wear on the ring.
I have minimas on a set of scopes I use for boat fishing and they take far more abuse than the distance casting with the Aviators. Braided line, 10oz leads winched back though big weed beds, chucked in and out of a boat etc and not a sign of wear on the ring.
In reply to Post #1
I've got minima/vortex rings on two sets of rods, 10ft 3lb and 12ft 3.25lb and had no issues with them at all but I don't use braid.
Ive never bent one but they are both 40mm ring sets and I don't chuck my gear around.
I've got minima/vortex rings on two sets of rods, 10ft 3lb and 12ft 3.25lb and had no issues with them at all but I don't use braid.
Ive never bent one but they are both 40mm ring sets and I don't chuck my gear around.
In reply to Post #7
That's what I didn't like on distance rods I tried with braid the noise.
That's what I didn't like on distance rods I tried with braid the noise.
In reply to Post #8
Interesting because I know someone who does very similar on huge French inland sea but his experience was very different and returned a set of rods after one trip, not scopes so possibly different model minima's.
Interesting because I know someone who does very similar on huge French inland sea but his experience was very different and returned a set of rods after one trip, not scopes so possibly different model minima's.
In reply to Post #1
Have them on every set of rods I own from my barbel and chub rods, to my 13ft 3/5oz distance casting rods. Never had one wear from braid or flurocarbon, never had one break.
I personally prefer them as they make the rod feel a lot lighter, and in turn gives better feedback down the blank on the drop. Also handy for me is the fact that if they bend, you can bend them back without popping or cracking a liner which I regularly used to do.
Understandably they are not for everyone, but I prefer them over most, I've just built a set of distance spod and marker rods with the new vortex air guides, and also re built my cotswold r1's with them so will be interested to see how they fair and if they last as long as my original minimas that come on the r1's nigh on 10 years ago.
Have them on every set of rods I own from my barbel and chub rods, to my 13ft 3/5oz distance casting rods. Never had one wear from braid or flurocarbon, never had one break.
I personally prefer them as they make the rod feel a lot lighter, and in turn gives better feedback down the blank on the drop. Also handy for me is the fact that if they bend, you can bend them back without popping or cracking a liner which I regularly used to do.
Understandably they are not for everyone, but I prefer them over most, I've just built a set of distance spod and marker rods with the new vortex air guides, and also re built my cotswold r1's with them so will be interested to see how they fair and if they last as long as my original minimas that come on the r1's nigh on 10 years ago.
I've got them on a quite a few rods, most used with braid Inc lure rods, no problems except on the rod I use for stalking carp with a centrepin, usually with a thick sinking braid.
That one has noticeable wear on the tip and but rings but isn't fatal yet. I blame the sediment the braid picks up and the way the line is always on the same spot of the butt ring due to the centrepin.
I'd have no problems with them on a distance rods, but I wouldn't spend top dollar on rods if I'm not confident in the components either.
That one has noticeable wear on the tip and but rings but isn't fatal yet. I blame the sediment the braid picks up and the way the line is always on the same spot of the butt ring due to the centrepin.
I'd have no problems with them on a distance rods, but I wouldn't spend top dollar on rods if I'm not confident in the components either.
In reply to Post #12
Two rod builders I've spoken too advised against those vortex especially if using braid.
Two rod builders I've spoken too advised against those vortex especially if using braid.
In reply to Post #12
" For me is the fact that if they bend, you can bend them back without popping or cracking a liner"
That's what I wanted them or...but rod builder he say no !
" For me is the fact that if they bend, you can bend them back without popping or cracking a liner"
That's what I wanted them or...but rod builder he say no !
In reply to Post #11
Or ‘minima style' like some brands quote. What rods were they?
Or ‘minima style' like some brands quote. What rods were they?
I've nigh on worn through multiple steel liners and snapped a few single leg frames.
To be fair none were carp fishing and probably my fault for using light to medium duty guides when I shouldn't, everything I did exactly the same with Bkwag and kt guides caused no wear or damage at all to my eye. I'm coming round to them on carp rods again but would use between 20 and 30mm k series given the choice on a custom
To be fair none were carp fishing and probably my fault for using light to medium duty guides when I shouldn't, everything I did exactly the same with Bkwag and kt guides caused no wear or damage at all to my eye. I'm coming round to them on carp rods again but would use between 20 and 30mm k series given the choice on a custom
I've got wearing on my vortex air guides after about 3 months using 18lb syncro line only, spoke to the tackle box who built them and they said they'd be happy to sort out.
Had minimas on a set of free spirits for about 4 years absolutely no issue with them at all.
Had minimas on a set of free spirits for about 4 years absolutely no issue with them at all.
In reply to Post #18
I must admit i have the black finish coming off on the centre's on my year old torrix tes that are rung with minimas and have been used with braid and mono oddly enough my scopes have minimas and have been used a lot more than the torrix with the same lines and i have no finish loss at all so maybe they're not particularly consistent. I think i will eventually get them rebuilt with kigan 3ds or possibly fujis though just for peace of mind though.
I must admit i have the black finish coming off on the centre's on my year old torrix tes that are rung with minimas and have been used with braid and mono oddly enough my scopes have minimas and have been used a lot more than the torrix with the same lines and i have no finish loss at all so maybe they're not particularly consistent. I think i will eventually get them rebuilt with kigan 3ds or possibly fujis though just for peace of mind though.
In reply to Post #19
My original 2.25tc scopes were battered and had some Cork missing, paint chips on reel seat hoods but still performed great and I only replaced them after breaking one which was my own fault. Looking at the replacements thought I'd check spec and these new ones have vortex guides so hope they last.
My original 2.25tc scopes were battered and had some Cork missing, paint chips on reel seat hoods but still performed great and I only replaced them after breaking one which was my own fault. Looking at the replacements thought I'd check spec and these new ones have vortex guides so hope they last.
on my scopes its "reverse" minima ringing, no idea what the advantage is to that
In reply to Post #21
Maybe they start off worn and get better mozzi
Maybe they start off worn and get better mozzi
In reply to Post #21
That was T.E.s input, apparently the tournament casters found they were better used the 'wrong' way round
That was T.E.s input, apparently the tournament casters found they were better used the 'wrong' way round
In reply to Post #23
That's definitely how Nash marketed it, although supposedly after waiting ages for the rods to turn up rung the wrong way they would say that.
That's definitely how Nash marketed it, although supposedly after waiting ages for the rods to turn up rung the wrong way they would say that.
Assume these vortex guides on mk2 scopes are cheaper than minima?
In reply to Post #25
I was told that the price is exactly the same but the vortex don't need prepping or reshaping unlike minimas
I was told that the price is exactly the same but the vortex don't need prepping or reshaping unlike minimas
I was always warned off minimas from rod builders when i had customs built in the past, cant remember why they told me to avoid them as it was years ago since i last had some rods built. I always ended up going with kigan 3d's and ive never had a single issue with the kigans, they have been bullet proof.
In reply to Post #26
all guides need a little prep to some extent - Some more than others.
all guides need a little prep to some extent - Some more than others.
In reply to Post #28
Cant comment on minima guides but 3 lads on my syndi had FS hi sives built with vortex air guides and all had line groove marks in them after use.. They were told it was a bad batch??? All 3 sent their rods back and had free spirits normal rings put on at FS cost.
Put me off ever getting them bad batch or not.
Been looking at the new fox spomb rod, the minima guides put me off as I know they are noisey.
Cant comment on minima guides but 3 lads on my syndi had FS hi sives built with vortex air guides and all had line groove marks in them after use.. They were told it was a bad batch??? All 3 sent their rods back and had free spirits normal rings put on at FS cost.
Put me off ever getting them bad batch or not.
Been looking at the new fox spomb rod, the minima guides put me off as I know they are noisey.
I've had Minima's fitted to my last two sets of rods (Hi's I've's, I've Er's) and had no issues at all..
In reply to Post #29
Noisy? Can't say I've noticed that with mine
Noisy? Can't say I've noticed that with mine
In reply to Post #29
Yeah I noticed the noise when used with braid.
Yeah I noticed the noise when used with braid.
In reply to Post #32
I see Fox have put Minima guides on their new Spomb rods.
I see Fox have put Minima guides on their new Spomb rods.
In reply to Post #33
I've got the fox LR spomb rod, great bit of kit
I've got the fox LR spomb rod, great bit of kit
In reply to Post #34
Twelve or thirteen foot flavour.
Twelve or thirteen foot flavour.
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