Avid vs. Crucial

[THEbassmaster]

im looking at the St. Croix Avid AS70MF and the AS70MLF vs the Shimano Crucial CRSDX72MH. my question is, is their a noticable difference between the sensativity? i like the split grip on the Crucial more than the avid. so if their is a big difference between the sensativity i will get the Avid, but if not i will get the Crucial. thanks

aaron

[NBS]

Not much difference in the sensitivity IMHO. Not to mention that Shimano has that wonderful lifetime warranty.

[Cpark]

My choice would be the crucial also.

[Choupique]

I think the Avid is US made and the Crucial is a Chinese product.

[Reel Old Geezer]

I think the Avid is US made and the Crucial is a Chinese product.

Thus the Avid is probably safer for you, your kids, or your dog, to eat.

[Schuler]

I love my avids. I was a big fan of shimano rods but the eyes keep falling out. At least 1 has fallen out on all 3 of my Clarus rods. They are lower end rods than the crucials but I still am disappointed that they keep falling out.

Avid has a lifetime warranty and St. Croix has excellent service.

[bladeduffer]

>>> I think the Avid is US made and the Crucial is a Chinese product. <<<

Possibly more of an issue with the cheaper models Shimano sells but the higher end offerings are a different story. For example, their newer, Chinese made Calcutta inshore rods certainly appear to be better made than their US made predecessors. Personally, I don't care where rods are constructed as long as they perform and have a manufacturer that is willing to stand behind their product like Shimano, as well as St. Croix.

As for quality issues in general, out of the over 2 dozen Shimano rods I've owned since 1985, I only had one develop a loose guide and that was only after I had crushed the tip with a car door.

bd

[Midnightrun1]

Lets see you are pre fishing for a tournament. You snap your Crucial on a fish. Walk into the local bait and tackle or the local chain (bass pro-cabelas-ect) and get a new one for the tournament. Or wait till you get home pack it up and ship it away (St.Croix).

Depends on what you are doing with the rod and what you are looking for. 90% of my rods are shimano rods just for that reason.

Joe

[wingman]

Crucial for me. And, IMHO I don't think it matters where a rod is made nowadays. You could use the argument that the Crucial is made in China, but so is the Steez, except for the compile-x.

[OhioChamp183]

Quality of product: St Croix Avid

Customer Service: St Croix Avid

Sensitivity: St Croix Avid

Length of time for a replacement: Shimano Crucial

Both have great warranties, and only downfall about the Avid is length of time to get another, and it will cost you around $20-25 to get it.

I still would choose the Avid. I can tell you for sure the Avid will weigh "at least" an ounce lighter!

[OhioChamp183]

Lets see you are pre fishing for a tournament. You snap your Crucial on a fish. Walk into the local bait and tackle or the local chain (bass pro-cabelas-ect) and get a new one for the tournament. Or wait till you get home pack it up and ship it away (St.Croix).

Depends on what you are doing with the rod and what you are looking for. 90% of my rods are shimano rods just for that reason.

Joe

Buy Japanese for the convience? Nice "American" Eagle ya got there.

[Midnightrun1]

I have Avids for local fishing and fun fishing on boats. But as a co-angler right now I need the warranty of the Shimano rods. If I break one in prefishing then I am down one rod and do not have the conveincence of reaching in a rod locker and pulling out another rod.

My time is very important on the water and when money is on the line I will take the Shimano rods over the Croix. I like the rods and that is what matters.

And nice Jab at me about buying American.....

[OhioChamp183]

[mhood]

I think the Avid is US made and the Crucial is a Chinese product.

Thus the Avid is probably safer for you, your kids, or your dog, to eat.

Don't tell me you've been feeding them Polly Pockets!?!?!

[Reel Old Geezer]

I was beginning to believe that the comment was too subtle for our members. I guess it was just AARP humor.