DAiWA US80XD Reel

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The new "favorite" spincast in my repertoire, purchased used off ebay.
This is a trigger actuated spincast, or "triggerspin" as its called. It is like new, and appears to have been used only a few times. It represents the breed very well.
This format is possibly the most natural to use in my entire line up. It is a sort of "point and shoot concept" and really works well.

I've put 6#, hi-viz Vicious Panfish line in it and mounted it on my 6' South Bend 'test bed' rod.
The reel has typical spinning reel balance, wegith below. I have several of these same rods and so they offer a consistent medium with which to test new reels. This reel casts a 1/32 ounce Beetle Spin pretty well, sending it about 40'-50'. A longer, whippier rod would probably do a bit better.

One of the things I immediately liked about the reel is the line makes a satisfying whizzing sound as it comes off the spool. It is a very businesslike thing, giving the impression of a serious piece of machinery. I know it is intangible, but this immediate audible feedback on each cast grows on you.
The drag is smooth, washer-disc type, with the "click" feature I like.

Right now, I cannot comment on its reliability, so Im gonna work with this one through the season. But it is Daiwa, which usually means good quality. And, if it is anything like the smaller 40X Daiwa trigger spin I already own, my guess is there will be more of these in my future.

Retail cost, new: $25-$30
Ebay used price: $6 + $5.50 shipping
Value: Excellent, out of the box.

[John Sheehan]

One of the reasons I buy Daiwa more often now is because a local shop will fix Daiwa reels and Penns and I can find parts easily .I like the Daiwa company! Great price on this reel David !Have fun with it!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Daiwa
You make an excellent point, John.
The need for service and parts does arise, now and then. Getting parts for no-name equipment can be dicey, and there is a lot of it out there. I own plenty of it, and I consider most of it throw away. Sometimes its repairable, but often not.
But stuff like these "underspins," as Daiwa calls them, welk, they've been around for decades. Parts and information are both out there and not hard to come by.

I've learned that most of the makers today contract out their manufacturing, usually to China and Asia. Its just an unpleasant part of the business. Common families within products exist, and parts are often common as well. Shoot, whole systems, like reels are, too. The makers just slap their own name on stuff within a manufacturers common range and there you go.

So I tend to look within PRICE POINTS for equipment and find the $25-50 dollar range adequate. Most tasks I put tackle to doesn't require more, especially when panfishing.

[Leo Nguyen]

Ooo..very nice. Looks like it's pretty much brand new. Did you polished it up?  Keep us posted on the functionality.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Leo, I haven't touched it.
What you see is the way I received Jr.

Functionally, it is flawless. It has a nice tight feel. Last season, one of my favorite
reels was the little brother to this one, the 40X model. Early use suggests this one may very
well follow suit.

We shall see.