Calcutta TE vs Calais

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Markanthony404
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Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by Markanthony404 » Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:50 am

So I went out today to test a new reel I bought over the winter, a Calais 200A. I compared it to my older Calcutta TE. The Calais was disappointing because it was much harder to crank when under load from a crank bait. The Calais casts farther and smoother but as far as cranking the Calcutta TE is far superior. Is this because the gear ratio is lower in the TE, and can anything be done to make this reel crank easier? The Calais was bought used on eBay and I took it apart to make sure everything was in order. It seems like it was never used and I can tell the real was never disassembled before.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by Afrayedknot » Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:54 am

I believe the calais 200apv (power version, 5.x:1) gear set will fit. Key washer might be needed too, maybe someone else can confirm this??

Part #'s 3281, 3282

https://fishshop.shimano.com/vip/produc ... 9372101771

EDIT: Apv has a 5.0:1, and the 200a is 6.x:1. The 200te (if that is what you have) is a 5.0:1.
Switching out the gears to a 5.0:1 gearset in the calais will give you a very similar retrieve to what you are getting in the te.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by Markanthony404 » Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:14 am

Thanks, I can't believe that maingear for the calais is under $8. I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by offdahook » Mon Jan 13, 2014 11:22 am

i have swapp out da gears in shimano citicas and cudos going to lower gear will make more power. friend of mine has calais he said da reel waz difficult to take appart needed special tool but i could be wrong,

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by steve1206 » Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:01 pm

I know the Calais are supposed to be a bit more difficult to "service."....but I;n not an expert...I think the difference you feel is simply the IPT difference. I like the 200A for spinnerbaits, but the 100A for cranking. The caveat to the 100A is that, I believe, that you need a longer handle to make them comfortable...The stock handle is 70mm and not great. Add an 85mm aftermarket handle or the 84mm Calais 200 handle, and they are incredible.. The 5.8:1 Calais 100A will give you a similar feel to the Calcutta...

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by Markanthony404 » Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Whats the IPT? The Calais wasn't bad to take apart but I am mechanic by trade. The handles are pretty much the same on both the Callais in TE the only difference is the calais has bearings in the handle knobs.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by dragon1 » Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:42 pm

CL 200A also does not have HEG...CL 100A/Antares AR does.

Here is my Antares AR with a longer handle on an 8'0" custom Seeker CBC 807F with an Exsence DC handle...only wish the IPT was a little higher.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by offdahook » Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:29 pm

dragon1 wrote:CL 200A also does not have HEG...CL 100A/Antares AR does.

Here is my Antares AR with a longer handle on an 8'0" custom Seeker CBC 807F with an Exsence DC handle...only wish the IPT was a little higher.

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damm dose rodz and reel are sick as hell!!!!!

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by dragon1 » Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:31 pm

Visit the Show & Tell Forum...my $h!t is rather tame by comparison. :lol:

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by offdahook » Mon Jan 13, 2014 1:37 pm

dragon1 wrote:Visit the Show & Tell Forum...my $h!t is rather tame by comparison. :lol:
just da right amount of bling :mrgreen:

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by SteveSchmelzle » Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:42 am

I own both reels, and my experience is the same as yours.

My Calais casts further, and is smoother, but really, the TE is a superior reel. its apples to oranges in style of reels.

When using them both with crankbaits, the TE is a smoother reel...especially with DT16's or 20's.
Last edited by SteveSchmelzle on Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by Lexy 123 » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:10 am

The OP just compares orange to apple.
CL200A is NOT a cranking reel at all.
Try CL200-5 (older model) or CL200APV and see how these reels crank. I own both of these.
I also own the Calcutta TE as well.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by steve1206 » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:19 am

IPT is inches per turn. The 200a is 26". The 100a is 23". The 200 APV is ultra slow at 17"...too slow for my taste so I roll with the 100a. Even though the difference in the first 2 mentioned is 3", it feels like a bigger difference.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by Markanthony404 » Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:14 pm

SteveSchmelzle wrote:I own both reels, and my experience is the same as yours.

My Calais casts further, and is smoother, but really, the TE is a superior reel. its apples to oranges in style of reels.

When using them both with crankbaits, the TE is a smoother reel...especially with DT16's or 20's.
Whats the gear ratio your Calais? I am starting to think the gear ratio has noting to do with it. I have an older Pfluger supreme, from around 2001 with a 6.3.1 ratio. I took it out today for a few casts and it cranks easier than the Calais. (EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING) Its not as smooth or refined but it pisses me off that my old Pfluger will out perform the Calais when cranking and it was around 1/8 the price. I might just sell it and buy another TE.
Last edited by Markanthony404 on Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: Calcutta TE vs Calais

Post by dragon1 » Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:24 pm

Markanthony404 wrote:Whats the gear ratio your calais? i I am starting to think the gear ratio has noting to do with it. I have an older pfluger supreme, from around 2001 with a 6.3.1 ratio. I took it out today for a few casts and it cranks easier than the calais. (EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING) Its not as smooth or refined when casting but at least it wont tire me out. I might just sell it and buy another TE.
I read somewhere a while ago that the gears in the CL 200A were not only interchangeable with other Shimano LP reels of the same era, but were essentially the same gears...non-HEG. Those reels were not known for their cranking power either in the 6-something gear ratios.

TE has HEG and lower gear ratio, it will have a definite advantage in cranking power.

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