Page 1 of 7

Kistler rods?

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:25 am
by bronzebacks
Did kistler change the blanks on the new helium3 or just the recommended weight rating?

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:08 am
by Thunderblack1984
I'm not 100% sure but I think the blank is the same. Kistler has good service so I'm sure an email to them would get answered quickly.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2020 3:26 pm
by Dman
Same blank! I just ordered a Helium 3.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:29 pm
by Hobie-Wan Kenobi
bronzebacks wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:25 am
Did kistler change the blanks on the new helium3 or just the recommended weight rating?
I saw some changes when their prices went up too. I wonder if the M.O.D changed. I like mine but, would prefer a slightly less powered rod.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 2:55 pm
by DavidSA
contacting Kistler the best approach by far

I like my Helium and zbone but from year to year hard to tell what did or did not change

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2020 5:22 am
by falcon
I decided to not purchase anymore kistler but I really liked the helium’s I had. 2 broke when they shouldn’t and each year it seems they change descriptions and model availability. Then you add the crazy price increases it’s just not for me. They do offer many sales. You’d think they just price them right and be done with it.

Lastly the cork is substandard for the price

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:19 am
by Thunderblack1984
falcon wrote:
Sun Dec 13, 2020 5:22 am
I decided to not purchase anymore kistler but I really liked the helium’s I had. 2 broke when they shouldn’t and each year it seems they change descriptions and model availability. Then you add the crazy price increases it’s just not for me. They do offer many sales. You’d think they just price them right and be done with it.

Lastly the cork is substandard for the price

I would agree with this but in their defense. Several rod manufactures brought prices up this yr. Loomis did this across the board as well.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:39 am
by DavidSA
the price not a factor to me as they typically prompt me into buying when they run a sale

Overall though, I'm a fan of the Helium 3 and the zbone. I fished the zbones for my primary rods during a 10 day trip to Florida back in Nov. The more bites and the more fish landed the more my confidence grew.

still the guessing on the action of a rod from year to year is an irritant and the information listed on the website is pretty low value. the only sure fire input is from a fellow angler but only within the same model year

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 7:07 am
by RMCatchNrelease
I want to love Kistler as an American company. Here is my major problem:
IMG_20201226_30697.jpg
IMG_20201226_30697.jpg (13.21 KiB) Viewed 6954 times
Here is what they compete against at $100 less in some cases:
IMG_20201226_56916.jpg
IMG_20201226_56916.jpg (21.44 KiB) Viewed 6954 times
Kistler can't even put a winding check on $300+ rods? A $50 Lews Laser has better cosmetics and a $120 St. Croix BassX has far better cork.

They source efx carbon grips from NFC but want to sell you a $600 custom to get it. I shouldn't have to to shrink wrap a $300-500 Helium and Zbones to cover poor quality cork.

I'd love to support Trey and his team of USA workers. I know that it cost more to pay USA labor and I'm willing to do so.

Not the much!!! $429 for a KLX?
20201226_082522.jpg
20201226_082522.jpg (7.51 KiB) Viewed 6949 times
I'd just like to see them spend more that $15 dollars on handle components. Hell, I can buy those carbon grips for $7 with no bulk discount. With the price increases I'd have like to see improved handle construction.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 7:48 am
by hoohoorjoo
Agreed on the pricing....but I'm old-school when it comes to reel seats, so the Kistler is appealing to me because of the ECS seat. It still fits me better than any other seat that I've tried. Cork is a different story, because I dont care for cork at all and I have a choice of either the Graphite series entry-level rod, or going custom at $380 minimum to get an EVA grip, and EVA costs next to nothing. That's been my biggest complaint with Kistler for the last few years.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 7:49 pm
by reason162
Their spinning rod seats/locknuts look like Kmart specials. No thanks.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 8:23 pm
by Hobie-Wan Kenobi
I was thinking of replacing the cork grips (maybe reel seat too) on my Helium M.O.D. I would probably use carbon for the grip and maybe a American Tackle CCT Razor or Fuji PMTS reel seat.

The reel seat to the butt is pretty drab...and that says a lot because the rods I build are minimalist as possible.

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2020 5:05 am
by RMCatchNrelease
I had messages Trey on FB my exact thoughts I posted here. I kept it polite but firm and mentioned I'd love to support him more.

I appreciate an owner replied and he said changes are comming.
IMG_20201227_59852.jpg
IMG_20201227_59852.jpg (30.71 KiB) Viewed 6857 times

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2020 10:30 am
by Thunderblack1984
Only reason I bought a Kistler is because they don't look like a destroyer, poison ,(owned several) ect…..I like the simple cork design but realize its not for everyone. They run good sales so having to pay $350 or a Helium is not the norm. Last few years I've noticed reel seats and rod handles become more and more uncomfortable with more parts that can break or not stay glued. Or locking nuts not staying tight when fishing. I want simple and comfortable and don't care about looks anymore :D

Re: Kistler rods?

Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:59 pm
by hoohoorjoo
Thunderblack1984 wrote:
Mon Dec 28, 2020 10:30 am
Only reason I bought a Kistler is because they don't look like a destroyer, poison ,(owned several) ect…..I like the simple cork design but realize its not for everyone. They run good sales so having to pay $350 or a Helium is not the norm. Last few years I've noticed reel seats and rod handles become more and more uncomfortable with more parts that can break or not stay glued. Or locking nuts not staying tight when fishing. I want simple and comfortable and don't care about looks anymore :D
I'm more function over form, as well, but I dont want to spend a lot of cash on something totally vanilla, either.