About the issue on the front side of the reel frame:
In my opinion, this may be user related error.
What I picture from the photos is the user solving a bird nest by taking a lot of line out of the reel.
To reel the line tight, the user grabs the rod in front of the reel and hold the line between the index and thumb fingers.
This will cause the line to rub under tension and also would explain why the lower cut has a thinner section evolving to a cone pattern on the top. The fingers hold the line in place withe the level wind moved side to side opening the cut.
If the cut was due to the position of the guide that is two foot up in the rod, you would see not one but several cuts with a horizontal pattern and not vertically.
Also, this has been also discussed before in the forum.
A user complained about he same but he added that he didn't fish the reel, just put the line in.
PS: Do you know how I got to know all this? I just phone CSI.
Lets see what the long term says about this reel.
Finally:
Earlier this year, I gave the Abu Garcia MGX a pass because I was using it under conditions for which it was not intended. A lot of people did not agree with my assessment and interpreted the situation a lot more black and white. That's their prerogative. The T3 Ballistic doesn't get a pass.
I just wonder why some get a pass and discussion topic locked. For sure, PureFishing was less unhappy.
Again, in my opinion, no reel, brand or manufacturer should get a pass. This just corrupts the system of evaluation.
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