[burk48237]

Bonefish, While I respect your position, and you have every right as a consumer to make the choice your happy with. I do think a distinction needs to be made. The Hardy Zane, Angel, and Sage sealed drag reals are different animals then the private label reels you are referring too. They are not "me too" copies but unique offerings in their class. I can assure you that Hardy spent megabucks in the design and testing of those reels and I imagine Sage did the same. They also are unique offerings in the big game market. The Avacab drag system that Hardy uses is an advanced fiber used in F1 race car brakes and the drag was tested in fully submerged in Ice Water, 10W40, and Salt Water. Conditions that could easily damage many of their competitors drags. Both the Angel and the Sage offer a fully sealed drag, which is a huge advantage to many Great Lakes Steelheaders who have seen their high dollar cork drag reels hydroplane. Are they better? Not necessarily but they are different and unique offerings in the market. I can't speak to the Orvis Vortek as I am not as familiar with it.

I can guarantee you that Hardy sales increased tremendously last year with the offerings of the Marksman and the Zanes, which offered increased value to their customers. The English exchange rate is almost 2 1/2 to one, and the same Angel that was 895$ last year was not being chosen when customers were looking at Tibor and Abel, so I am perfectly happy with their decision to offer better reels for considerably less money.