THE BASS COLLEGE

I see that the Curado G will be priced lower than the old E series. What exactly did they upgrade? Specs still look the same....same drag, same number of bearings, same spool. Did they add more internal plastic parts to bring the price down? Not even the shimano site lists any "new" features

Not sure if I should buy the new "updated" G series for $139 or the old E series for $109

The G series now offer a InstaGuage Thumbar that lets you flip and pitch and engage the reel right away which they did not have. They are using different manufacturing processes to reduce weight like all the companies are doing in certain models. 

Aluminum Frame

Lightweight Graphite Sideplates

Recessed Reel Foot

High Efficiency Gearing (HEG)

Super Free Bearing Supported Pinion Gear System (SF)

A7075 Aluminum Magnumlite Spool

Dartainium Drag

5 Bearings

4 Shielded Stainless Steel BB

Roller Clutch Bearing

Variable Brake System (VBS) with Reduced Mass Hub

Super Stopper

Assist Stopper

Septon PV Power Grips

1/8 Turn Easy Access Attached Sideplate

Metal Cast Control Knob

Anodized Spool and Handle

Disengaging Levelwind System

Quickfire II Clutch Bar

This is a related post from a Shimano representative, so maybe this will give you some more insight into what I was saying before.

Normally I try to stay out of these debates because my opinion is biased because of my employer. However you guys are not looking at the evolution of the Chronarch line. In 1992 when the first CH100 and CH200 reels were released they had an aluminum frame and graphite side plates with 6 bearings. In 1993/94 the CH100A was released at a much higher price and featured aluminum side plates as well as the frame. Did it boost the performance or feel of the reel? That can be debated.

The significant gains in performance came with the CH100SF. We introduced Super Free and a lighter spool. This changed the performance of the reel and spawned a whole new series of reels. Then we made the CH100MG which made the reel lighter in weight, but still had the performance of the CH100SF. This also started a new avenue for reels: Lightweight.

With the CH100B we added HEG to the other features already established in year prior. Because of the complicated tooling we were not able to offer this model in an MG version. This is why the CH50MG was brought to the market. Small and very light weight. MG frame with graphite side plates. Yes the tooling was based on the CU100B but is that so bad?

The CH100D was based on the Core tooling. We went with aluminum to reduce the cost and we gave the reel more bearings than the Core 100. The bearings were just in the handle paddles, but it made the reel feel smoother. I know how much the TT crowd loves their bearing supported handles The gearing is also brass which makes the reel feel smoother. The material is slightly softer than the aluminum main gear/hardened brass pinion we use in the Core 100MG. The MG material also transmits more noise than aluminum so it may not feel as refined as an aluminum reel will feel. Race car vs daily driver is the best analogy I can think of.

With the Core 50MG7 on the market the Scorpion XT and Curado 50E were born. Aluminum framed version of the Core 50/Aldebran. Aluminum frame instead of MG, and a few less bearings to bring the cost down. The Scorpion/CU50E and CH50E all use the exact same tooling. The only difference between the Scorpion and our US models is the gear material. The Scorpion uses a slightly softer material than our version. This is because the average US anglers fishes harder and heavier line than the Japanese angler. We had to make the gears a little stronger to improve gear durability. Harder material means it will not feel as smooth. We added the larger PV grips to the 50 because they have been requested for just about every reel we offer that did not come with them. Because of this the reel is slightly heavier, but not by much. If .2 ounces bothers you I suggest during some curls to strengthen your arms. We have also shown that the graphite used on the new reel side plates is every bit as rigid as aluminum. There are no performance gains by using aluminum side plates on the 200 and smaller size low profile reels. The reels are only capable of so much drag and cranking power as it is. Aluminum does a good job of deadening some feel and sound from the reels. Now in an offshore type reel or heavy duty freshwater reel it makes sense because of the higher drag pressure the reels see.

Nobody seems to understand the yen to dollar exchange rates. 3 years ago the yen was 100+-1. Today its around 80-1. This makes a HUGE difference in pricing. For example if the new Curado G was made in Japan the MSRP would be around $250 instead of $159. I know the math doesn't seem right but it is. If you haven't noticed everything is getting more expensive. Gas, boats, vehicles, food...unemployment is hovering around 10%, fishing industry as a whole is down. Curado E was going to see a price increase. Would you have been happier to pay $199 for the Curado E? Chronarch was not moving well at $300. We could have just dropped the reel name and moved on. We knew people would get angry, but our hands were tied. Apples to oranges? I hope that after reading all of this you see a name is just a name.

There is no easy solution with the current situation. New models will just come out to be more expensive than the previous model unless we move production to Malaysia. Now for all of you that think Malaysia sucks you are wrong. The factory there is actually more advanced than the one in Japan. The machines are better and capable of tighter tolerances. The engineers are all from Japan. We have QC people from Japan working at the factory now. The workers are being trained at higher levels and the standards are among the best in the country. Yes there have been some growing pains over the years but things have improved substantially.

Shimano has designed the new reel to stand up to the rigors of tournament fishing and in terms of specifications the Curado G has a bearing count from the of 4BB + 1RB and there is a dramatic weight reduction from 7.6oz. on the Curado E 200 to 6.9oz. on the Curado G. The Curado 200 G will be available in three different retrieve ratios, 7.0;1, 6.5:1, and 5.5:1 but noticeably absent is the 50 size, for that anglers will now need to pick up the new Chronarch E.

so the new reels will be a 5 bearing reel vs the E series 7 total bearings?

Yes. bearings have nothing to do with reel performance after you reach 5 in critical areas, and they are the right kind. Look here>> BEARINGS The REEL DEAL <click

Now, another thought is this:

You can easily replace all the bearings in any of the older or even a newer Shimano reel or even another brand, with new Ceramic Boca Bearings, put on a new handle of your choice, with or without grips, and then send the reel into our friend and member here at the site, Paul, of PIZZ CUSTOM BAITS, <(click to view reels,) and he will custom paint the reel after for you. Then you have a custom super tuned reel, that would cost about $500.00 for around $200.00. Theres another option. 

CURADO SPECS <<Click

Steve, is the Curado E series a good reel? I see BPS has it on sale. Thanks.

Yes I have 8 of them. 

In my opinion ,The E Series is a great reel. If you can get it on sale, Thats even better. I bought  most of mine on sale at TackleWarehouse but would of been happy with the reels even at Retail.

I actually have 3 of the Curados in LH. Bought tyhem from TW for 139.99 eacg no tax/shipping . Never opened. Bought them just in case. If anyone ever needs one let me know.

i wish they still sold them i wanna buy a curado  but guess ill just have to get something else considering this 200g is a downgrade

From the specs, it seems that the Chronarch 200E basically replaces the Curado 200E.  Even the Curado 50E has been rebadge as the Chronarch 50E.  It makes sense to buy the Chronarch if the Curado 200G is looking like a let down.

@Robbie  If Shimano tightened the manufacturing specs and lightened the reel then how is it a downgrade?

It is not really a downgrade technically less bearings but not a real downgrade in performance at all. 

They just made them more affordable. Wait for the next line of Curado's to come out.

yeah I was mistaken it doesnt really look like a downgrade I'm just a rookie and I really cant tell, but I looked at the specs and it G has 2 less bearings than the E, but the G has like 2 more features that the E did not have. Check the features: http://www.reelreporter.com/blog/