[THREEDFLYER]

I recently purchased the new version of the Orvis Battenkill II reel.
I also have the previous model.

I am very surprised at how much smaller the diameter of the new model is.
For a LARGE ARBOR reel, I did not expect such a drastic reduction in diameter.

Anyone else feel the same?

THREEDFLYER

[Davo]

which Battenkill do you have? The large arbors are the BLA and the BBS is the old bar stock regular arbor reels.

[THREEDFLYER]

Davo,

My old reel is inscribed "Battenkill II Large Arbor" and so is the new version.
They made the new reel much lighter and smaller. But it's not nearly as "Large Arbor" as the previous model.

Tom

[flyflingerandy]

Just a guess here, but that is to facilitate more backing capacity on the new model.

[rapman]

i have read where the new battenkills are made overseas (by okuma, possibly). design change with an address change, evidently.

[Joe D]

Originally Posted by rapman

i have read where the new battenkills are made overseas (by okuma, possibly). design change with an address change, evidently.

The old version was also made overseas, originally in England, then in Asia. The new ones are Asian imports, like the Okuma,s, some Ross', Pflueger, Hardy and others. They could even be made in the same factory, but they are not Okuma.

[rapman]

uh, silly me. i talked to a gentleman who owned both reels in the same size and take the spool off of an okuma and placed it on the orvis. said it was a perfect fit. this was related to me verbally, i did not see it. thought i better qualify the statement. as for england vs. asia, i would gather, based on equipment usage over my 50 some years, that the quality of english-made or american-made merchandise is much better, with more stringent quality controls. maybe the reason st. croix is moving their lower end fly rods from china to mexico is the lack of quality. years ago, cabelas moved their fish eagle line of rods from the u.s. to china (didn't drop the price though?) and their was a noticeable difference.

[Joni]

I went through the Okuma/Orvis thing on the Mid Arbors. Tried the Okuma spool on the Orvis reel...close but no cigar, and Vis Versa. I can't say the same for the LA's as I don't know, but I do know from talking to Orvis corp, NO Okuma here.
I don't much care about backing as I fish for Trout, so I really like the old one better. I DOES reel in more line on each turn and I thought that was the idea for a LA. Almost a foot a turn on the III, that is cool when the fish charges AT you.
Lately, I am looking at the Lamson however.
The New AIR FLO off set from England is a killer reel for $100. Plus it looks cool! ;-)