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i'm a poor sap and i have a few 500's, but the day i spent 70bucks on a new shimano TLDstar my whole world changed....i was hooked then came the speedmaster IV, and the TLD 15 leverdrags (both under 120 at squidco!!!).
The first time i had to tear them down to clean/lube the bearing and replace the drag washers i knew i would never buy another 500 again, IMO they (the TLD series) are; just as easy to tear down
easier to service (the bearing are open, not shielded)
they weigh less
where else are you going to get a compact leverdrag that can put down 22lbs of pressure for under 150bucks??)
not to mention mechanically superior (larger shafts, gears, dragwashers, bearings, all made out of what looks like a brass/nickle alloy or stainless as opposed to the all brass gears found in most 500's) infact the shafts and gears in the TLD series reels are beafier than the stuff in the torrium reel that i have (was a waste of money IMO)
I also have one sealine on my iron chucker, i havn't opened it up but it feels as rugged as the shimanos but it fee-spools a little better.
BUT, where are you going to get a tried and tru reel (penn500) and a rod for under 70bucks??? that does sound like an awsome deal for a loner rod for the kids or friends that way you can just laugh when they dunk it or loose it at the landing, but if you fish alot you probably better off spending the extra 30 or 50bucks and getting one of the shimanos TLDstars and mathing it to one of the shimano Voltaeus rods (an awsome stick for around 30bucks)
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