In reply to Post #42
If you don't know the cost price of the blanks how do you know that the list price is a rip off? Just because a product costs more than you want to spend doesn't mean it's a rip off. Plenty of budget gear available from the likes of Sonik.
It's all relative, £1500 on 3 rods is pocket change to some. There is obviously a market for expensive equipment, just look at the ‘how many' threads where people list £xxxx's of gear they have sitting in a garage.
If you don't know the cost price of the blanks how do you know that the list price is a rip off? Just because a product costs more than you want to spend doesn't mean it's a rip off. Plenty of budget gear available from the likes of Sonik.
It's all relative, £1500 on 3 rods is pocket change to some. There is obviously a market for expensive equipment, just look at the ‘how many' threads where people list £xxxx's of gear they have sitting in a garage.
In reply to Post #46
It is pocket change to some but I would still go the custom route,like I have with my last two sets of distance rods
It is pocket change to some but I would still go the custom route,like I have with my last two sets of distance rods
In reply to Post #47
Custom is ok if there is something specific you want and I've had custom builds in the past but the benefit of off the shelf rods means they are easily replaced should you damage one provided you buy from a manufacturer that doesn't discontinue every year or two. These people saying they bought rods that the reel seat was out of line or not secured I can only assume they bought them mail order which I would never do .
Custom is ok if there is something specific you want and I've had custom builds in the past but the benefit of off the shelf rods means they are easily replaced should you damage one provided you buy from a manufacturer that doesn't discontinue every year or two. These people saying they bought rods that the reel seat was out of line or not secured I can only assume they bought them mail order which I would never do .
In reply to Post #48
You assume wrong one set from a shop 2 hour round trip to take them back what's the quality of rod building a ring whipped on wrong and a seat not fixed to rod got to do with mail order
You assume wrong one set from a shop 2 hour round trip to take them back what's the quality of rod building a ring whipped on wrong and a seat not fixed to rod got to do with mail order
In reply to Post #48
I would never buy a freespirit rod off the shelf,they are **** and so is their customer service.They take no responsibility if there is an issue and put it down to user error,they are that bad a shop I use closed the account and send the rods back
I would never buy a freespirit rod off the shelf,they are **** and so is their customer service.They take no responsibility if there is an issue and put it down to user error,they are that bad a shop I use closed the account and send the rods back
In reply to Post #50
I know a shop who closed there account they said there where to many problems with there rods
I know a shop who closed there account they said there where to many problems with there rods
In reply to Post #49
I think he means if you bought them in person how did you not notice the faults. A decent shop always lets you look the rods over. Mail order they can send you any old tat and hope for the best.
I think he means if you bought them in person how did you not notice the faults. A decent shop always lets you look the rods over. Mail order they can send you any old tat and hope for the best.
In reply to Post #52
Any old tat thought they where top end They where all three layed on the floor and looked over them of course I was looking to see if all 3 rod rings where the same distance apart as a mate had rings at different distances
me and the assistant just didn't notice
without reel on when reel was on put on pod at lake the butt ring was not in line took it back they said been whipped on wrong and gave me another 2hour round trip
Any old tat thought they where top end They where all three layed on the floor and looked over them of course I was looking to see if all 3 rod rings where the same distance apart as a mate had rings at different distances
me and the assistant just didn't notice
without reel on when reel was on put on pod at lake the butt ring was not in line took it back they said been whipped on wrong and gave me another 2hour round trip
In reply to Post #50
I've had a few sets of Hi -S rods over the years and enjoyed using them, but what Tony says is correct. I have seen some shocking off the shelf builds where non of the rods match even with the same serial numbers on them. And good luck if you have an issue with them later on down the line, Freespirit have some of the worst customer service I have ever come across. So much so even a set of custom made ones I had built the rod builder tried putting me off having them as they are that bad to deal with if issues occur.
My advice is stick to Harrison or Century.
I've had a few sets of Hi -S rods over the years and enjoyed using them, but what Tony says is correct. I have seen some shocking off the shelf builds where non of the rods match even with the same serial numbers on them. And good luck if you have an issue with them later on down the line, Freespirit have some of the worst customer service I have ever come across. So much so even a set of custom made ones I had built the rod builder tried putting me off having them as they are that bad to deal with if issues occur.
My advice is stick to Harrison or Century.
I am in the fortunate position to own three sets of Freespirit rods, 13ft Hi-sives, 12.6ft 3.5 Hi-s and 12ft ES 2.75. Two sets were built through Johnson Ross and the 3rd set (ES) I bought off the shelf mail order from the tackle box. Whilst the JR rods were built to specification the ES pretty much stand cork handled build, I have had no issue with any set and expect to get many years service from all three sets of rods. I would suggest all rod manufacturers have some issues reported but my own findings are that FS are a higher end rod that perform well (I have owned century, Harrison and sportex rods in the past 30 years again without issue).
Michael
Michael
The only rod I've ever had a problem with (that wasn't my own doing!) was a Century SP, where I had a tip breakage after a couple of months use. Century were fantastic and not only replaced the section, but asked me to send them the butt section (postage paid) to ensure a perfect match. They were great to deal with and I'd recommend them on that basis (shame I find many of their more recent models a bit too blingy for my taste).
I've had both off the shelf and custom Harrison's, including carp and lure rods, no issues there, and they always feel really robust to me
I'm now two sessions into using my first set of ESP TH's and really like them so far. Time will tell I guess.
480 quid for Korda rods... not for me I'm afraid (or any other company new to rods) until they've got a couple of years under their belt. Korda make good stuff though, so I'm sure they'll be quality.
I've had both off the shelf and custom Harrison's, including carp and lure rods, no issues there, and they always feel really robust to me
I'm now two sessions into using my first set of ESP TH's and really like them so far. Time will tell I guess.
480 quid for Korda rods... not for me I'm afraid (or any other company new to rods) until they've got a couple of years under their belt. Korda make good stuff though, so I'm sure they'll be quality.
In reply to Post #56
Which ones you got be interested in your feedback when used a bit
Which ones you got be interested in your feedback when used a bit
In reply to Post #55
I'm tha same , bought from Johnson Ross and never had issues with them and I've owned Harrison and century and while I think Harrison have made some exceptional rods they have made same I thought were awfull.
I'm tha same , bought from Johnson Ross and never had issues with them and I've owned Harrison and century and while I think Harrison have made some exceptional rods they have made same I thought were awfull.
In reply to Post #57
The ESP's? The newer 12'9" 3.25, I'm a sucker for a flared grip!!!
The ESP's? The newer 12'9" 3.25, I'm a sucker for a flared grip!!!
In reply to Post #44
im a bit of a Drennan/ESP fanboy for my rods .... The Tectrix are my fave carp rods of all time (i have 2.75lb and 3.25lb) and were around £180ea when new .... That seemed a lot at the time but in todays market is considered middle range i guess ..... I also have MK1 Snipers that need a rebuild (nother great rod from ESP imo) .... Funnily enough I wasnt so keen on the MK1 TH 2.9lb .... Found them quite a heavy blank in comparison.
im a bit of a Drennan/ESP fanboy for my rods .... The Tectrix are my fave carp rods of all time (i have 2.75lb and 3.25lb) and were around £180ea when new .... That seemed a lot at the time but in todays market is considered middle range i guess ..... I also have MK1 Snipers that need a rebuild (nother great rod from ESP imo) .... Funnily enough I wasnt so keen on the MK1 TH 2.9lb .... Found them quite a heavy blank in comparison.