I've known a few people that have owned Fox rods and I've only heard 2nd hand of a problem. He has 3 Warriors that get used heavily for years and one broke on a cast last year. That's the only facts I know, without inquiring further.

This really doesn't change my mind that Fox produces some great equipment. Sounds more like a fluke to me.

I love Shimano's, some day I might own some more. I had the 6500 in the early 90's if I'm not mistaken and used them with Big Water Uglys. Line lay wasn't that great but that doesn't seem to be a problem in todays Shimanos. I saw some Daiwa Carp Reels that were $800+ ea., I'll buy a set, if I ever hit the lottery.

The Solar was one I really considered and it was in stock but it kind of put me off that the bars were extra. Kinda like selling a car with the wheels sold separately. I would completely understand if Solar offered many choices of bars, therefore giving you an option vs forcing you to buy the standard bar. But that's not even the case. An example would be Fox's 3 bar vs 4 bar. So I opted out for Solar.

I have owned a solar Sod pod, a solar world wide pod and a solar globetrotter best pod on the market...Fox alarms are some of the best no doubt....I have blown up 4 Fox Rods over the years a couple of range master II's a Fox Spod Rocket and a Fox Fronteer...Solar has 3 differant kinds of buzzbars the The standard, the Pozi-lock and the pozi-lock screwless each of these come in 2,3,4 rod options with different widths to accomidate the size of reel you use...the other advantage of solar is the ability to use there quick goal post set up converstions that allow you to fish this set up with your buzzer bars and the legs off your pod...

Don the Diawas you are talking about are the basia's and they are amazing.

I know you've made your mind up about the alarms Don, and it wasn't a bad choice. Fox RX are quality, no doubt, and probably the best alarm Fox does, hints why they brought them back. Now, is it the best? Depends who you ask, but I'm also a big fan of Delkims (only the older MK1's, not the newer Pluses), which are a sought after buzzer. I can't comment on them freezing as I don't think I've used them in those conditions before, but they have been spot on in my experience. Bottom line is, Fox RX, DELKS MK1s and Steve Nevilles are all quality buzzers IMO, you decide which is best for YOU. The only thing I didn't like about the Nevs is they are very sensitive, even with 2 mag wheels.

when i got the solar pod i was shocked that it came without bars, but then i talked to dave and he told me why, i have shimano techiums big pit reels and i need a 15 inch buzz bar, most are 12inches i believe, so i got 2 of those, also to me the pod was to short, i like the first eye of the rod to sit facing the alarm, thats why i got the global conversion but at another 200$ but it was worth it.