In reply to Post #5
Thanks all, interesting you have both bivvy's, is there much difference in time or faf to put 'em up and back down?

Looking to move on from my sonik sktek 60 brolly which has been a good servant but am 6ft 4 and fed up with the crouching and feelin a bit squashed in it, especially when in a downpour and all the kit I take but dont use is being kept dry alsojavascript:addSmile('10'); , so my wish list has led me to shortlist the above 3, mainly due to headroom.

Each have pro's and cons but driven by:

- I'm very much a day session angler with a very occasional overnighter due to family constraints
- so, normally fishing with my fox TT recliner rather than a full bedchair (like a bit of comfort!)
- Generally would use the bivvy in shelter mode
- I always use a groundsheet, no need for wrap or inner dome at this stage although option to upgrade in the future would be good
- Needs to be quick and easy to put up in the dark and when it's peeing down as usually arrive before sunrise and dont have the luxury of time as to when to tackle up/down
- I use a barrow so weight not so critical
- Price is flexible but would be wheezing a bit at c. £400 new.

I'm currently leaning toward the fox as the tallest, real life experience though much appreciated, I've read some posts c.2019 questioning the fox bivvy quality, not sure if its improved at all, although tbf, all makes seem to have their fair share of issues.

I know the quest bivvy is currently not in stock but could wait if required... headroom of fox is 1.65m vs 1.5 for the quest and asx

Would welcome thoughts and recommendations as never had a proper bivvy before...

In reply to Post #7
I guess 3 ounces is not to be sniffed at although not sure just over 10% how noticeable it would be for the price premium. Interesting the ci4 version has 2 more bearings though, I hadn't realised that. 👍

In reply to Post #5
Just checked out the emblem br 25 which has a shorter stroke (25mm) than my current okumas so unless a much bigger diameter spool, would actually shorten casting distance.

Nice looking reel though 😊

In reply to Post #3
Thanks for the clarity. The weight difference between standard and ci4 is not as big as I thought being about 80g, I had thought it was 200g, nevertheless, it's the same as my 8k reel which is 720g and is a bit of a lump.

I also recall some other comments rating the xta better than the xtb, not sure why, is it materials/reliability or something else different?

Rod hutchinson extendable dream maker 42" carbon landing net

Hi all, I've currently fishing with Okuma 6k freespool baitrunner reels recently bought which are great but am just feeling the cushion of a bigger spool helps for distance casting.
I bought the okumas after getting an 8k reel for spodding which is a brilliant (if a little heavier than I'd like) reel with lovely line lay too but doesn't have a baitrunner option (much prefer the rear B/R and not messing with a front drag).
So, having been brought up on shimano's which I love, am thinking of going for longcast big baitrunners (maybe ci4 if I can get them for reduced weight,) but just wondering if the spool length and stroke of these are bigger than the medium size version, or is the spool just deeper for higher line capacity?
I'm thinking it's a daft question but maybe the Xmas booze is affecting rationale thought! 🥴
I couldn't find any stroke lengths on line for the two versions...

The longcast xtb version...

In reply to Post #14
No decent 5 years old is doing manual work in China anymore, they've either completed their PhD's in nano technology by the time they're four, or are cybersecurity hackers determining who wins foreign elections

I just had a look at the welding on my U shape and let's just say it wasn't done by a robot!

In reply to Post #8
I've only got the grand sniper rod pod from Cygnet so can't comment really in general on their equipment its probably 2 or 3 years old I guess and is great for adjustability.

Unfortunately, the central extending bar locknut no longer locks the 'inner bar' at whatever length you want it so is useless and not fixed. There seems to be a bit that's detached from the locknut and so I asked Cygnet if I can buy a replacement spare and also some replacement small screws for the buzzer bars which have corroded and oxidised badly (normally pennies).

Cygnet's response is they don't carry spares of either of these items.... sorry!

First and last item of equipment I buy from Cygnet.

I will somehow work out a way to frig a solution around it and try and find replacement screws from elsewhere but I shouldn't have to.

They're still making these rod pods so clearly have parts for them.

I hope this isn't typical of Cygnet but they've just lost me as a customer for anything else. If you cant trust the back up support for any spares or accidental damage to stuff, you are really stuffed if out of warranty.

Hope Cygnet read this and realise their support is well below the standard of other suppliers in this instance.

Also worth noting the resources (help, spares, manual downloads) on the Cygnet website is also very poor or non-existent. It's actually difficult to contact them, they just advise to 'contact your retailer if any problem' - brilliant!