After purchasing my new Curado the guy at the reel counter said he didnt know why Shimano didn't go with a more advanced system like a magnetic braking system(Daiwa and Quantum) I really seem to like the Centrifugal better--kinda like a Ronco cooker--set it and forget it. With my magnetic braking reels it seems like I have to adjust them all the time--anyone else feel this way?

Magnetic for me. I like to be able to make small adjustments quickly if needed. Mainly in windy conditions but also when changing lures.

Without a doubt centrifugal.

centrifugal. It just works better. It always seems with magnets that you don't ever get the braking where you need it in a cast.

And like you, it always seems like you have to make small adjustments.

Quantum uses centrifugal braking. Shimano went to Mag brakes in the early eighties for their top end reels. They went back to centrifugal in 1991 when they completely revamped their line up to what we still see today (updated of course).

Quantum's is an ACS centrigual cast control--I had to mess with mine too much so I finally took it back--not as good as Shimanos to me at least--The Revo Inshore's cast control is like Shimanos and it seems to work really well.

There is a reason Shimano uses mag brakes on their cheapest reels and centrifugal on their higher end models in spite of what the genius behind the counter thinks.

RRaider, The best Shimanos use magnetic control and they outcast any of the "pin" reels with ease.

You have to adjust both of them, it's just a matter of which side. For my Shimanos, I set the pins with 2 out and forget it. But, if I'm throwing on a windy day, I need to regularly adjust the cast control. With my magnetic reels on the same day, I adjust the magnetic control, except for the Revos. I rarely adjust the magnetic control on the Revos and mostly use the cast control. They aren't very adjustable and seem to either be on or off (my only complaint about my Revos).

What's amazing to me is how well both styles cast compared to reels from 10-15 years ago. If I'm throwing into a strong wind with the reel "tight" and turn around and throw with the wind, it cast almost as far as it would "loose". You lose very little casting distance by keeping the reel tight.

What do you consider the best Shimanos? I have a Calias DC and has a digital cast control(dont know if that is magnetic or not but it is AWSOME) Which Revo do you have? The Inshore centrifugal on mine works really well. Reels have come along ways in the past few year for sure!

The best casting Shimanos are the DCs and they both use magnetic control. I haven't tried the Calais DC (too rich for me), but the Calcutta DC will out throw anything I've ever used. It will out cast a regular Calais by 20 feet with a DD22. It's amazing.

I have Revo STXs and Premiers. I think the mag control on the Revos is useless. I never have it set less than 80% and rarely adjust it at all. They still cast a mile, but nearly all my adjusting is done on the cast control side. I mentioned this to my buddy that's a big Pure Fishing Pro Team member and he said they knew it was a problem and were working on it. He thinks the Skeet Reese reel will be a great combination of the Premier and STX with a 6 pin braking system. I just don't like the color combo, not a big fan of Skeet Reese yellow .

Thanks for the info--I found my Calias DC in the bargin cave at Cabelas and I had a discount so it was still expensive but didnt hurt quite as bad.

You can't equate the Shimano DC braking system to other magnetic braking systems. The DC system constantly monitors the braking force and adjusts the amount of braking to the spool rotation. Other magnetic systems are always applying the same force from start to finish of the cast. Centrifugal applies maximum force at the beginning of the cast when rotation is the fastest and lessens the braking as the spool slows until at the end there is no braking.

BTW, the Academy store in Mesquite has the Calcutta DC for $399, $130 off regular price of $529.

SSSSSSSSSHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I didn't equate anything. I corrected that the best casting reels by Shimano were not centrifugal and in fact are magnetic.

I own both magnetic and centrifugal and don't notice that either outcast the other when comparing similarly priced reels. They both require adjusting in the wind. It's just a matter of which side the nob is on you turn.

You seem to have been lost on the point that we were talking about magnetic braking like (Diawa and Quantum). Shimano puts that type of magnetic brake on their $39 reels.

I think you've managed to confuse yourself. Let's review. You claimed the higher end Shimanos are 6 pin, but the fact is, Shimano's best casting reels have magnetic braking systems. You used this misstatement to imply the 6 pin system is better, but you're wrong. The best casting Shimano reels are magnetic.

Furthermore, you can buy a 6 pin reel for $40, but that doesn't have anything to do with the 6 pin system in my 50 MGs. Just as the fact that you can buy a Shimano with magnetic brakes for $40 doesn't have any relevance to my Revo Premiers or the Shimano DCs. Surely you're not equating the magnetic braking system in a $200 Revo or a Daiwa Zillion with the $39 Shimano. That's like claiming a V8 in a $200k Ferrari isn't that good because you can get a V8 in a $25k Mustang. Much different V8s just like there are different 6 pin or magnetic braking systems. You can buy great reels with both 6 pin systems and magnetic brakes.

The original question was which style you prefer? It's ok that you prefer the 6 pin system. I like it also. I disagree that they are set and forget, but I do like them. I don't find one system out cast the other or that one is that much easier to use when comparing similarly priced reels.

Don't some of the BPS reels have both?

Yes Pflugger reels do

Some BPS, Pfluegar and Pinnacle reels all have the Dual braking system. Hmmmm.

I've had both and the centrifical ones I always lose the dang rubber adjustment things on em. The daiwas I have are so much easier to adjust in wind and fine tune to the wight of the lure. Centrifical may be smoother casting and a little bit better performance but they give me way too much headache.