Are the Shimano 5500 Xtd really that bad as many claim or is it more of a lack of maintenance?

Have a few more days to return my Xtd set, only 2 reels I really want to replace are:
Daiwa 20 Whisker 25QD or Cast'izm 25BR, but this will cost me minus 280 extra compared to the Xtd set.

Daiwa vs shimano

In reply to Post #1
Nope I think they are a good reels for the money never had any problems with my ones alswyas been a fan of the ultegra 5500 model reels

In reply to Post #1
I haven't used the xtd model but have used the non ci4 xtb 5500's and still use the 5500 ci4 xtb's on my softer rods there was a big difference in quality between the two the ci4's were a lot smoother and felt like a completely different reel.

If there is still the same differences between the later ci4's and xtd's then if i was going to buy them i would go for the ci4 version personally

Have seen the 5500 Ci4 not my thing and prefer the XTD over ir.

In reply to Post #4
They look the same ? Don't understand that.

Can get XTD in 5500 or 14000 and in the Ci4 model also which is the upgraded version.

In reply to Post #5
No they don't look the same, + am not a fan of the quick drag on the ci4 5500.

The XTD's are bang on never had an issue with mine

Keep Xtd and use the money for something else, need a new pod also dont like the Chub lite one

Have mates that use them and they far from look after their gear and they still are going strong. That's being used for carping and piking during the winter months..

Utter junk just like the 14000xtd,would not use one if it was given to me f.o.c.**** spool clickers,crap flimsy plastic line guard that does not work and the drag is about as responsive as roadkill

In reply to Post #10
I wouldn't go as far as what your saying mate,they're at a price point that is relevant and I've got a set of 5500 xtd and 1400,neither has missed a beat tbh...only reason I'm selling the 1400 is the wife bought me a set of gold emblems for xmas but I would be more than happy to keep on using the 1400 xtd.

I had some for a few months and the line kept getting caught under the spool which I think is a problem a lot of people have. Also the handles clunked a bit, so I sold them, was talking to a guy that had 14000 and he has the same problem and hates them.

In reply to Post #11
I have got mates that have them in both sizes and I have had a try of them,imo they are awful.You can argue about price point but you can get better reels for less money but because they don't say shimano on them people won't buy them.I think with shimano you are just paying for the name now as the quality is just not there anymore which is a shame I used to only buy shimano

The brand name doesn't bother me, but I also looked at the Penn's (all heavy) Okuma CB, 8K, T-Rex 7000, Ls-6K sorry but these are of quality even worse than Shimano imo, fished last summer with the Daiwa Black widow 25A and Emcast 25A fished, BW was low level the Emcast was good but totally not my style.

Problem with Daiwa what I have that everything under 300 is not suitable for me and is too heavy (Scw seems a nice range but no way i gonne use a 600 gram reel (not even on a 12ft rod)
Also had the 20 CROSSCAST 35 SCW QD returned this one: heavy and terrible Drag

Last Shimano reel i used was the Titanos 5500 XSA, if the Xtd can be compared with that one I am happy.

My friend has 3 of the 14000 xtd, in hes own words they are s**t, hes gutted he brought them, and not in a position to just replace them, line behind the spool and becoming stiff/feeling rough main issues, there are others.