I have been a dyed-in-the-wool Ambassaduer fan for decades, but have been toying around with the idea of some upgrades. Have been eyeing Calcutta's for years, but always talked myself out of it with, "I still got a half dozen 6500's that work great and for the price of one 400 Calcutta, I could almost buy three 6500's. I've finally decided on an upgrade, but now Shimano has these TE series reels. Damn, life's full of tough choices, isn't it?

Any one out there with hands on experience with the TE's? What convinced you to buy one? Was it worth the extra $$$ over a regular Calcutta? No hype please. Let's hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I've had 4 6500C's over the years and they worked just fine, but last year I got a Calcutta. Can't tell you about the new model, but I can say the regular Calcutta is worth every penny.
The drag is like silk and the difference cannot be overstated. The whole system is as smooth as glass.
No regrets, and I'd be very surprised if you had any, either.
diana

Great reels, but most of the guides will not use them in saltwater.

I've used the 151's / 251's and now the 401's.
I love them all,It's hard to go back to a 5501 or 6501.The drag system is ten times the system on the ambas models.I put the 401 on my meat stick for the bouy ten fishery this past summer,I liked it so much I purchased a nother one for my kwikfish rod.The 5501's and the 6501's are for loaning to others while fishing on one of my boat's.As for any other reel,alway's back the drag off when not in use.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

My reel repair guy says absolutely no salt for the Calcutta's. He said he sees a lot of 400 completely ceased up that have been in the salt. I have a complete set of 700 that I used daily and love them. I have only had two problems so far and that has been with the push button release and the anti reverse bearings are starting to go out.
I don't kow about the TE and the really high end. My reel repair guy says they aren't worth the money and still the most bang for the buck is the 6500.

I don't know I have been thinking the same just for the fun of it. whats held me off is I have two a 5500 and a 6500's that are 30 years old and look like it. Never been in the shop and have caught a pile of fish. Everyone that mentions the high end Shimano's seems to know the phone number of the reel repair shop.

I did buy a couple of curados that I really like.

I've owned four Calcutta's in the last six years and I have one that still works. I got rid of the other three after repairs and reliability problems. The last one I purchased was the 200GT TE. It worked for 2 years and locked-up tight during a B.C. trip this fall.

My advice is stick with an Amassaduer or one of the older Shimano Bantams. There are fewer internal moving parts and they are reliable. [My 1970's Ambassaduer 4500c still works flawlessly.]

I have 3 Calcuttas, the 700,400 and 400 conquest. I have been using Calcutta's for years and find that they are the best I've experienced as for as durability and handling. I did hear of some problems of the smaller one's (150-250's) with salt and corrosion if not rinsed after each use, but not with the larger reels if they are cared for. I have had the 400 and 700 for many years and they still look great. I basically use the 700 for charter or boat fishing and enjoy the larger line capacity. I now Use the 400 as a back up to the Conquest.

My favorite is the 400 Conquest, which is the Japanese equilvalent to the American TE, but a much nicer design and a lot smoother, because it has more ball berring, to reduce friction. The price is about the same, but you have to get them online or from Japan. They can be found on E-Bay or at Japantackle.com.

Before Calcuttas, I was also an Abu Garcia guy. My first reel was a 5000 D. I fell in love with baitcasters because of this reel. Just loved the direct thumb drag. Got many thumb burns, from screeming runs of big steel. Now I am spoiled with the drag systems that Calcutta offers.

Use your current reel, until you are ready to invest in a top of the line Calcutta Conquest. For me it's about the quality of the total experience. The 3 C's of Casting, Cranking and Catching are hi- lighted, along with its power. I also say that it's a beautiful state of the arts piece, of fishing equipment.

If you're looking at the TE, why not go for the Conquest.

I have a couple conquest, and they are way better than the TE; very smooth, sturdy, and have accessible to the side oposite of the handle.

A Conquest 400 is as smooth as the Curado SF.

I've got the TE 400 and TE 300. The 400 has a tough time when fishing heavy water or heavy gear.. The drag wants to slip real slowly to where you have to tighten it down all the way to get it to hold line. May be a issue with the real. But the 300 hasn't seen any heavy stuff so can't say anything bad about it. But as for a drag, you'll have a tough time beating them...
Keith

TE's are worth the price but not a penny more.
I have a 151 and 401 and let me tell you that the good ol' calcuttas are hard to beat especially when it comes to value. I have had the original 400 but sold it after the second trip to John's in Everett to have it repaired. Only years will tell if the TE s will stand up to more abuse than my first calcutta. Expensive to "risk" in the salt but the one's I've used have done fine with regular and correct maint. I have tinidads on my downrigger rods. Same price as the 401TE but I don't like the levelwind for trolling situations. In fact a guide in Florida who specializes in the inshore species uses them as personal reels and he's the one who sold me on them last spring. He had the utmost confidence using them while fishing Kings with me in Neah Bay this last summer.
Money doesn't grow on trees so look at $350 as a test fee for that TE. Ten years and or a thousand fish is worth it to me but I've had both of mine for 9 months. My 401 might be sold in the future too. 151 won't touch even brackish water.
My old man's favorite reel for the salt is a TR; new one goes for $74.99.
Bad luck with curados and most graphite framed reels used for rugged fish. Bass reels are for bass.
If any one is having problem with their drags on a TE, it probably needs to be looked at by a repair professinal. My 401 has touched a 40 inch steelie at least two kings over 40 inches, the time and abuse to find and land these fish (with some luck) and many more, and salt water. Not to mention a 70+ pound halibut. It still functions flawlessly.
Choices, choices.

Originally posted by jaydee:
TE's are worth the price but not a penny more.
I have a 151 and 401 and let me tell you that the good ol' calcuttas are hard to beat especially when it comes to value. I have had the original 400 but sold it after the second trip to John's in Everett to have it repaired. Only years will tell if the TE s will stand up to more abuse than my first calcutta. Expensive to "risk" in the salt but the one's I've used have done fine with regular and correct maint. I have tinidads on my downrigger rods. Same price as the 401TE but I don't like the levelwind for trolling situations. In fact a guide in Florida who specializes in the inshore species uses them as personal reels and he's the one who sold me on them last spring. He had the utmost confidence using them while fishing Kings with me in Neah Bay this last summer.
Money doesn't grow on trees so look at $350 as a test fee for that TE. Ten years and or a thousand fish is worth it to me but I've had both of mine for 9 months. My 401 might be sold in the future too. 151 won't touch even brackish water.
My old man's favorite reel for the salt is a TR; new one goes for $74.99.
Bad luck with curados and most graphite framed reels used for rugged fish. Bass reels are for bass.
If any one is having problem with their drags on a TE, it probably needs to be looked at by a repair professinal. My 401 has touched a 40 inch steelie at least two kings over 40 inches, the time and abuse to find and land these fish (with some luck) and many more, and salt water. Not to mention a 70+ pound halibut. It still functions flawlessly.
Choices, choices.
off to chase winter runs this morning,
jd

as you can see, opinions vary on the same reel. I have a 400 that I use on a Loomis rod and love it for salmon both in the salt and in rivers....no problems at all. The wieght of the whole combo is so low that it makes fishing more fun. For rivers ist seems the Curado is pretty popular. Failures with reels seem to be similar to failures with outboard motors...all brands have problems here and there. I agree with the old Bantams...I have a Bantam 50 that is rugged for sure but a bit heavy. I also recently bought a few old Bantam 100s which are really smooth and very small. Most of what Shimano makes is great. All my rods have Shimano reels..from the Bantam 100 to the TLD 25 for tuna,marlin and halibut.