Abu Garcia 1600 Black Max Ambassadeur Reel

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the previous help; much appreciated.

Have a 20+ year old Abu Garcia Black Max 1600 Ambassadeur bait casting reel.
Really like it a lot. Fine Product. But, time for someting new.

From their site, it seems that their C3 series is the closest that they
now offer. True ?
But, from the pix, it does seem a bit "different" from what I have now.

As I will have to order from a catalog without actually seeing one, I am
wondering if anyone has one, and might answer the following:

- is the C3 actually the closest now to my old 1600 ? Have they given
up the black color ?

- what is the push-lever on the flange for ?
my 1600 does not have this.

is it to replace the thumb push-bar on my 1600 that allows the
spool to free-spool when depressed on casting ?

- on these new models, like their new C3, does the level wind bail now
follow the line during casting (unlike my reel, where it stays
stationary on casting) ?

- is there still a knob on the flange faceplate (the pix on their site
doesn't seem to show one) for adjusting the reel "drag" DURING the
cast to minimize backlash ?

Thanks,
Bob

On Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:32:34 -0400, Bob wrote:

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the previous help; much appreciated.

Have a 20+ year old Abu Garcia Black Max 1600 Ambassadeur bait casting reel.
Really like it a lot. Fine Product. But, time for someting new.

From their site, it seems that their C3 series is the closest that they
now offer. True ?
But, from the pix, it does seem a bit "different" from what I have now.

As I will have to order from a catalog without actually seeing one, I am
wondering if anyone has one, and might answer the following:

- is the C3 actually the closest now to my old 1600 ? Have they given
up the black color ?

- what is the push-lever on the flange for ?
my 1600 does not have this.

is it to replace the thumb push-bar on my 1600 that allows the
spool to free-spool when depressed on casting ?

- on these new models, like their new C3, does the level wind bail now
follow the line during casting (unlike my reel, where it stays
stationary on casting) ?

- is there still a knob on the flange faceplate (the pix on their site
doesn't seem to show one) for adjusting the reel "drag" DURING the
cast to minimize backlash ?

Thanks,
Bob


How bout moving up to a Shimano Curado?
Not sure if these are the best prices, but I like mine!
I've got the older models, pretty much the same.

Dan

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shima...page-SCUG.html

"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the previous help; much appreciated.

Have a 20+ year old Abu Garcia Black Max 1600 Ambassadeur bait casting
reel.
Really like it a lot. Fine Product. But, time for someting new.

From their site, it seems that their C3 series is the closest that they
now offer. True ?
But, from the pix, it does seem a bit "different" from what I have now.

As I will have to order from a catalog without actually seeing one, I am
wondering if anyone has one, and might answer the following:

- is the C3 actually the closest now to my old 1600 ? Have they given
up the black color ?

- what is the push-lever on the flange for ?
my 1600 does not have this.

is it to replace the thumb push-bar on my 1600 that allows the
spool to free-spool when depressed on casting ?

- on these new models, like their new C3, does the level wind bail now
follow the line during casting (unlike my reel, where it stays
stationary on casting) ?

- is there still a knob on the flange faceplate (the pix on their site
doesn't seem to show one) for adjusting the reel "drag" DURING the
cast to minimize backlash ?

Thanks,
Bob

I do not own a Black Max, but I have heard from two different people that
they have downgraded the quality on them since they first came out. Take
that for what it is worth.

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the previous help; much appreciated.

Have a 20+ year old Abu Garcia Black Max 1600 Ambassadeur bait casting
reel.
Really like it a lot. Fine Product. But, time for someting new.

From their site, it seems that their C3 series is the closest that they
now offer. True ?
But, from the pix, it does seem a bit "different" from what I have now.

As I will have to order from a catalog without actually seeing one, I am
wondering if anyone has one, and might answer the following:

- is the C3 actually the closest now to my old 1600 ? Have they given
up the black color ?

- what is the push-lever on the flange for ?
my 1600 does not have this.

is it to replace the thumb push-bar on my 1600 that allows the
spool to free-spool when depressed on casting ?

- on these new models, like their new C3, does the level wind bail now
follow the line during casting (unlike my reel, where it stays
stationary on casting) ?

- is there still a knob on the flange faceplate (the pix on their site
doesn't seem to show one) for adjusting the reel "drag" DURING the
cast to minimize backlash ?

Thanks,
Bob

I do not own a Black Max, but I have heard from two different people that
they have downgraded the quality on them since they first came out. Take
that for what it is worth.

Also, in my opinion Shimano has downgraded the Curado as well. I definitely
do not feel the Chinese G model is anywhere near as good as the previous
Japanese models B D or E. E was one of the best, but I have Gs less than a
year old making noise, and I have one sitting on the shelf as a parts reel
because it locked up. The Quantum Smoke reels are a good alternative, but
they cost a bit more.