Calcutta 250 vs. Okuma Induron 250, which one to buy?

Specs:

berings calcutta - 2+1 induron - 7+1

retreive calcutta - 5.0:1 induron - 5.1:1

weight calcutta - 10oz induron - ???

drag calcutta - dartanium, looks like 2 disk from service diagram induron - six-disk Rulidium and stainless steel line capacity calcutta - 8/230 10/210 14/120 induron - 8/300 10/260 15/150

construction calcutta - forged aluminum induron - machined from solid bar stock

price calcutta - $169 induron - $99

So, is the okuma a far superior reel for less money? I'm totally perplexed.

Thanks! Rob

I have a Calcutta and it's a very nice reel but I admit I don't know a lot about the Okumas. They seem to be targeting Shimano directly and maybe they do have some good reels.

I will weigh in on the bearing thing. I have seen some really lousy reels advertising 10 ball bearings or more. It's meaningless to me. I had a problem once with a Shimano TLD 25 and it cost a whopping $4.00 for a repair at a shop less than 10 miles from me. I'll take reputation, proven durability, and service over price any day.

Dan

On a personal observation, I noticed at ICAST last summer in Las Vegas that the reels in Okuma's booth that were nice and smooth at the beginning of the show were sounding (and feeling) like coffee grinders by the end of the three day show.

My marketing guy has burned up two of their high end spinning reels catching 4 salmon.

I have my doubts about them. But not about Shimano.

IMO, bearings are very overrated in a lot of reels. They are either placed where they do not make a difference or they are much cheaper bearings, thus the manufacturer can put more in but they wear out much sooner. I have 18 Shimano reels including 3 Calcutta 251s, so you could say I'm partial, ut the reason all my reels are Shimano is because they have proven to be the best reel I have ever used.

Brad Coovert Tournament Director, Greenfield Bassmasters http://www.greenfieldbassmasters.com Esox Rods - Hand Made In The USA "For The Toughest Fishing Around"