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Had a fair few ‘top end’ (ie expensive) reels in my time. I also on a whim bought a Penn Affinity 2 Carbon Custom.
In use it was as smooth as an original Shimmy Technium 1000XT albeit without the super slow oscillation, beautiful line lay and actually higher line retrieve. They have carbon drag washers ( I replaced one with ICE washers but made no noticeable difference) so the clutch is quick drag and still smooth.
In use it was as robust as any Daiwa but much more ‘tighter’ (no slop in anti reverse or spool wobble) just felt very well engineered.
I liked it so much I bought another two. My other set of reels are Basia 45 QDX’s costing much, much more and I’d be hard pushed over preference.
The Penn is not as light as the Basia - about 3oz heavier, which if you think about it is similar to draping your lead over the reel handle when you reel in and leave the rods - not a big deal. The only other slight negative is the handles stick out quite a bit, not a problem unless you like your rods very close together.
I mention the Carbon Custom rather than the standard version and that’s purely for aethstetics. I don’t like big black reels covered in white writing everywhere. I think they look cheap and garish. The Carbon Customs are more discreet with carbon accents and any writing is in toned down dark grey which is more pleasing on the eye.
Shop around and you can get them for around £150 per reel. Of course if you can get the standard version for a third less at around £100 each.
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Daiwa 23 emblem 35 for coming from the Xte 14.000, Xtd 5500, tried 1 Okuma obsedian a few times on my 3the rod and sold it for anohter 23 Emblem 35.
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Okuma Obsidian. That is all 
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In reply to Post #41
When I got spare spools for my okuma 8k reels the only place I could get them was Slovakia.
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In reply to Post #43
that was not the case few years ago, not to be found in hole of EU, would not have sold them if they where.
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ive just ordered 2 more obsidams off the tiktok shop from.dereks angling for £203 and cancelled my other 2 i ordered of the tt shop and saved £34
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In reply to Post #41
If you google Okuma T Rex 7000 spare spool they pop straight up, £34.99each.
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In reply to Post #32
Had the okuma T-rex, top reels, but sold them as there where no spare spools to get,
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Agreed shop / online retailer has buying power if anyone can they will get what you need.
We all too often try to go direct and forget about the middle man.
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In reply to Post #32
did you contact the shop where you bought the reels?
when it goes through an official dealer they are serving you with spare parts. Depending on the item it is even for free ;-)
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ive just picked up a couple of obsidans off the tiktok shop for £237, ive been tempted for a while and took the plunge
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I have the Shimano Xte I really rate them and really like using them plus I love the all black look of them aswell never had a problem with them great reel
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In reply to Post #32
Wow! That is absolutely disgusting.
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In reply to Post #33
Handy to know for next time, cheers
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Daiwa Crosscasts are brilliant for the money. They're seem identical to my Emblems with the exception of the handle, and I guess some of the internals. They're very light, line lay is excellent as is the clutch. Don't overlook.
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In reply to Post #32
You can buy that part from Future Reel Servicing on eBay.
There aren’t many spares available by the look of it but there are some if you google ‘Okuma Obsidian spare parts’, all seem to be on eBay.
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In reply to Post #27
Okuma don't seem to do spares.
A couple of weeks after buying Obsidians I lost one of the screws that holds the reel handle onto the body.
Emailed them to ask if they would send a replacement and got a generic email back saying to take it back under warranty 
Luckily I found it a couple of weeks later so all is good again, I was a bit annoyed at the time though
Saying that I still think they are great reels and don't regret buying them
Found it:
Thank you for getting in touch. If you bought a faulty item, warranty applies you need to turn to the place of purchase, and your item will be replaced or refunded. Unfortunately we do not sell spare parts.
Best Regards
Rapala Europe Customer Service
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In reply to Post #30
The xTE line guard should be a firm push-fit onto the spool shaft. If it’s repeatedly popping out of place:
1) Remove the spool and inspect the guard for cracks, distortion, or worn retaining tabs.
2) Check that it is fully seated against the shaft and hasn’t been fitted over any misplaced spool shims.
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In reply to Post #29
Yep, Rapala own both Okuma and Dynamite Baits
Okuma Obsidians do look great for sure, i was torn between them and the Shimano 14000 XTE but ultimately went with Shimano as my 5500's have done me well for a long time.
I don't like the line guard thing on the XTE's to be honest, on more than one occasion i've had to take the spool off to put the line guard back into it's slot
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In reply to Post #28
Isn't Okuma the same company as Dynamite and Rapala?
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In reply to Post #27
Not tried but I’m sure you can. Okuma is a big company.
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In reply to Post #26
Can you get spares for the Okumas?
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Okuma Obsidian. Amazing reels for the money.
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Looking at new reels I would look no further than the Penn Tidal XT 7000 between £130 & £160 a bargain!
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In reply to Post #23
I have seen and used the penn affinity and thought they were a really good reel for the money and the vantage and tidal xt's also look very good and worth a look
The okuma obsidian does look good and is getting a lot of good reviews although i dont like the idea of an aluminium reel shaft but to counter that there are a lot of them in use so must be doing ok
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Thanks guys! A lot to go through. I'm a bit gutted I missed the Daiwa's at around £144 the other day. I think that's nearly as cheap as they were on release by all accounts.
I'll have a look at some of the suggestions in town at next weekend.
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In reply to Post #21
The za's are a very underrated reel and very reliable. I still have a set that i kept in france for years i can remember initially getting 2 for spod and marker use but found them far nicer and smoother to use than the tournys and infinity's id been using as main reels so got a full set of the za's and moved infinitys on
My friend has lived in france for over 20 years doing a lot of public lake fishing with his set of za's and never had a problem with any of them.
The older reels were imo better built my main reels here are xt techs which have also been faultless and which i would never get shut of.
I also have a set of ci4 5500 xtb's for small water use although they feel smooth i dont think they are built as well as the za's
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I’ve still a set of Daiwa Emblem Z 5000As on my distance setup and Shimano ultegra xtbs I bought around 2006 (medium distance) there is nothing worthy of replacing them today imho.
The older reels were much better built.
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In reply to Post #17
Fair point but you’re comparing a £60 reel to a £150 one.
I’ve heard of lots of faults with cheaper Daiwas, i.e. Windcast / Crosscast / Black Widow & plenty with earlier Shimano Ultegra XTC/XTEs.
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In reply to Post #18
Another vote for used Tournament 5000T's you can upgrade them as much as you want. They will last forever.
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In reply to Post #1
My advice would be to do exactly what I did, find yourself some good secondhand Daiwa Tournament 5000T. They should last for many many years and if needed, spares are going to be available long-term. Unlike any of the Shimano offerings.
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Whilst I haven't heard about any specific issues with the Okuma Obsidians, there's always that nagging doubt at the back of my mind about the well publicised issue with their INC 6000 reels. My initial 3 reels which I use on my 10ft set up were sent back and replaced. And now one of the 3 new ones has the same issue.
I'm also led to believe that getting spares for them is a bit of a mare, but this may be an old problem which is now sorted?
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In reply to Post #7
I have the original Penns and they are still running great. Had the Daiwa, lasted less than a season before I sold them and got the Shimano XTE which I think is a much bettwr reel. If I was buying now I would go for the Okuma Obsidians, having had a play with them they feel top draw at a ridiculous price point
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Another vote for Penn Affinity
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In reply to Post #9
2nd vote for the Penn’s Vantage or Tidal XT’s
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Penn affinity reels are definitely worth a look. I have had a few different brands of reels and the Penn's have been the best by far! silky smooth and brilliant line lay.
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Penn, Daiwa or Shimano.
Whilst the okuma obsidians are well liked my only question is their long term durability and that will take some time yet to understand.
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In reply to Post #9
Shimano Ultegra 5500 ci4's are only £190 each. I've been pretty impressed with them and a huge step up from the Penns I was using (which were a third of the price)
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Penn Vantage XT 8000. Take a look at the spec - up there with reels of £400-£500 and made by a very reputable company. Completely bulletproof.
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In reply to Post #1
The okuma obsidians are a brilliant reel for the money.
I went to the big one show earlier in the year to compare them to the big pit Daiwa whiskers and the Shimano Ultegras XR. I honestly didn’t feel either reel offered any more than the obsidian does.
Admittedly I’ve only used the obsidians about 6 times, so cannot give a proper review, but I’m pleased with them so far.
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In reply to Post #1
I have the daiwas that have been mentioned, and I'd pick penn affinity over them every time. You won't get a better reel for the money
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In reply to Post #1
If I was in the market for some new big pits, would definitely go for the Penn Affinity 7000's.
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In reply to Post #3
Second this lovely reels, smooth as silk and great line lay and 2 spools.
Tackle box, Kent, currently have these Daiwa Emblem 45 SCW QD-OT reels for £179.99 each.
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Ultegra XTEs.
Shimano-wise, over the past year or so, I've gone through the Ultegra XTEs, then the XR XTDs and finally the Power Aero XTCs before getting Tournament Basias. The XTEs are functionally as good as any of them. Not quite as refined or smooth and they are slightly heavier, but it's fine margins and they're just as solid and reliable. The Shimano reels below the XTEs, on the other hand, are notably a step down so far as I can "feel" from trying them in shops / other people's reels.
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In reply to Post #1
In that price bracket, I’d go with the 23 Emblem 45 SCW’s. Cracking reels!
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In reply to Post #1
Okuma Obsidians are worth a look, very light & tick all the boxes of high-end reels without the price tag.
I got 3 for £390 so it would save you a chunk of money too.
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Hi guys,
As above. I'm in the market for 3 big pit reels that I can use home and abroad (France).
I've just returned from a trip and for the size of the lake I was on, I felt well under gunned... I've been on Shimano Baitrunners for an aeon.
I'm looking at spending a max of £200 per reel. Early front runner is the Daiwa Emblem? Only seem to here good things about them.
Thoughts?
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Tackle