So here is the long awaited Review of the new Saltiga range of Multiplier reels.
Service and Maintenance Tutorial SALTIGA 50HA
This the usual blab from the Manufacturers...
- Precision machined aluminum one-piece frame and side plate
- Digigear™ digital gear design
- Machined Aluminum Free Floating Spool
- Soft Touch custom Handle Knob
- 9 Bearing System (8CRBB+1RB)
- Machined Aluminum Rod Clamp
- Water proof Carbon ATD
- Centriflex Casting brake
- Spool Click
- Speed shaft
- Free floating spool
In short,
this reel is one of the finest pieces of machinery I've ever had the pleasure of playing around with!
Machined from Aircraft grade Alumium, it just feels so... SOLID!
Looks and feels like a Rolls Royce, which is what we've come to expect from Saltiga! A really, really impressive work of art, completely redesigned from the older models, and featuring a Centrifugal braking system that makes it the best casting reel I've ever used.
So below follows a Photgraphic tutorial... let's go...
I was always hesitant to get involved with these new generation multipliers that boast a 1 piece frame, like the Trinidad A range, because they're an absolute pain in the butt to service. The Shimano has to have the entire Gearbox dismantled in order to get to the spool. There's no such thing as a Quick lube with the Shimano's.
Not so with these new Daiwa's! The Side plate has the Gearbox built into it, so all you need to do is remove 4 screws and you're in! Can remove the spool, do quick maintenance in a jiffy! Fantastic Innovation!
Let's take it apart.
Always comforting to know that a Reel is put together by people who have High Quality control standards. Previous Saltiga's were assembled in Japan. Korea is good, as is Malaysia.
Sublime design, curves and that SOLID Saltiga feel...
Stainless steel Drive shaft and CRBB Bearings throughout. (Corrosion resistant)
So this particular reel was fished hard with casting from the Surf and being splashed about 14 months ago. Was chucked in it's bag and left until now.
I expected some corrosion and damage inside, but was shocked that the reel was still brand spanking new inside! Some deft placing of O-Rings has made this reel pretty watertight, without foregoing smoothness at all. In fact is easily the smoothest Multiplier I've ever used.
Torx screw heads have been used, which stay in place once unscrewed so you can't lose them.!
Once the set plate is unscrewed, the Gearbox is opened up.
Take note of the Top Drive shaft bearing that might pop out when you remove the Set Plate...
Finely machined Drive gear accounts for the smoothness. The Main gear teeth are much finer than before, less depth between the teeth and more slanted.
Comparing the new with the old...
HA on the left compared to the old HYPER/SA version. Notice the fine teeth in the new.
The Ratchet plate Drag washer is a thick 1.5mm Carbontex Washer
Some really simple and innovative design features like this make the reel easy to maintain.
So the Pinion gear is supported fully with bearings either side, making the spool a true Free floating spool. The Pinion gear never comes into contact with the spool spindle.
Makes for Loooong Free spool!
Many of the bearings are partnered with Teflon collars for protection of the bearing and better waterproofing.
Washers and O-rings again help with water intrusion.
On the inside, you find the Cast Control bearing...
Features one of the easiest removable AR bearings. Piece of cake!
Also a phenomenal Drag system. On lock down that spool doesn't budge! Proper Carbontex.
Another O-ring for waterproofing the drag. Simple.
One thing I did notice about the reel is that it has 4 large drainage holes that would affect wading direct access to the inside... not ideal.
The handle knob is the big oval rugby ball rubber and is comfortable. It is also serviceable with 2 ball bearings.
So the Free floating spool is a great feature to have, but in most reels it's useless (Penn Fathom, Trini A), because the spool spins so fast that it's uncontrollable unless you're a Pro that fishes every week. No point having this feature in a reel if you can't cast the thing without magging it. Enter Daiwa's new CENTRIFLEX braking system. Short spindles with large brake blocks, somehow makes this reel reasonably easy to control in the cast. I cast this reel out the box a few times and was amazed at the distances achieved without even practicing!
So I don't work for Daiwa, nor do I get any royalties from them. But this reel is simply a masterpiece, a work of art. Simplicity with the fundamentals, using the finest materials... The BEST multiplier I have ever seen and used. Magnificent.
Big thanks to Brendan for the use of his reel!!
