Who even buys Quantum reels these days?

[mark poulson]

They should have quit changing after their Smoke Burner. That was the best reel they ever made, period.

[SSS]

The only Quantum reel that was worth it:

Yea back in the early to mid 2000's, Quantum did have a few reels that were good. Same thing with Pflueger. Even up close, the reels looked sharp, with well machined parts, but if you look at both brands nowadays, they look worse than $100 ali reels.

Typically speaking, once an OEM brand has "cornered their market", there is no longer an incentive to provide a quality and compelling product...that's not to say "innovation" and manufacturer specific engineering accomplishments and unique design concepts, were ever a foundation of most OEM reels.

That might be the case with some brands, but i have never seen that being the case with Daiwa and Shimano.

[dragon1]

The only Quantum reel that was worth it:

Yea back in the early to mid 2000's, Quantum did have a few reels that were good. Same thing with Pflueger. Even up close, the reels looked sharp, with well machined parts, but if you look at both brands nowadays, they look worse than $100 ali reels.

Typically speaking, once an OEM brand has "cornered their market", there is no longer an incentive to provide a quality and compelling product...that's not to say "innovation" and manufacturer specific engineering accomplishments and unique design concepts, were ever a foundation of most OEM reels.

That might be the case with some brands, but i have never seen that being the case with Daiwa and Shimano.

Of course not...the Two-Headed Dragons from the Land of The Rising Sun are world leaders in the fishing industry...aside a few of Daiwa's lowest priced offerings, everything that either manufacturers design, engineer, manufacture, is completely independent and relies not at all on OEM rebranding.

Daiwa and Shimano are not rebranded OEM products "made to order", akin to what Doyo, Banax, etc., contracts for the multitude of other rod & reel brands out there.