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Post by Gillaroo on Apr 25, 2006 9:46:16 GMT -5
Don't know if my Loomis experience was just bad luck but having owned Sage's for 15 years, I felt like a change nearly a year ago after casting a GLX-D.
After several problems over a 9 month period, inc. 3 replacements (from curved blanks to seriously worn rings after 4 trips!!), Fishtec did the right thing and replaced the Loomis for an XP plus made up the difference with lines.
The finish on the XP is far superior (should have noticed the filler in the Loomis handle pics) and although it doesn't have the raw power of the Loomis it is a far nicer rod to use.
I cannot now recommend Loomis to anyone and wondered if these problems have been there since Shimano bought them? Any thoughts?
Happy XP owner
Gillaroo
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Post by Countryboy on Apr 25, 2006 12:31:13 GMT -5
I have a Loomis Anti Gravity which I think is post Shimano. No probs . Love the rod ;D C.B  |
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Post by rrw35 on Apr 25, 2006 13:05:21 GMT -5
Loomis build quality has gone down hill badly. I personally saw a GLX-D with a 1cm piece of filler in the handle. The Streamdance range (in my opinion) were very disappointing. Poor actions, erratic whippings and varnishing, poor quality cork. Some of them looked like they had been built by David Blunkett.  I have also heard of other ones with warped blanks. The old GLX classic range of years ago were fantastic rods. They now can no longer compete with the quality of Sage, Winston, Hardy, T & T and others in the top price range. There are plenty of better finished rods at half the price than a loomis, with Scierra, Guideline, Greys all snapping at the heels of the big names.  Its a shame, because i was always a die hard Loomis user... Not any more. |
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Post by goldfish on Apr 25, 2006 14:19:17 GMT -5
I have both Loomis and Sage rods, imported direct from USA, no problems.
All are at least a year old, has the quality dropped since loomis became a Shimano puppet?
"with Scierra, Guideline, Greys all snapping at the heels " snapping being the key word as far as Greys and me go!!!
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Post by jrt on Apr 25, 2006 15:04:42 GMT -5
Yep, the old GLX is still an awesome rod and one of the most popular ranges of all time.
I've only seen the GLX Distance rods in the UK. Completely different blank and fittings.
If you want to try something different, how about a Winston?
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Post by edenangler on Apr 25, 2006 16:14:30 GMT -5
Recent conversations with an aquaintance in Vancouver revealed that over there, Loomis are regarded by many as absolute trash for the price and us Brits are viewed as being a bit strange for being willing to pay the prices we do for them.
That said, the quality of cork on my SLT isn't exactly awe-inspiring either!
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Post by The Famous Grouse on Apr 25, 2006 16:33:01 GMT -5
Recent conversations with an aquaintance in Vancouver revealed that over there, Loomis are regarded by many as absolute trash for the price and us Brits are viewed as being a bit strange for being willing to pay the prices we do for them. That said, the quality of cork on my SLT isn't exactly awe-inspiring either! Really agree with these thoughts, Eden. It seems like all conversations about top-tier trout rods in the UK stop after Sage and Loomis are mentioned. Everything else seems to be lumped in the also-ran category. If you don't like the Loomis, Gill, how about something from the other top makers? Setting aside those that think price automatically equals performance and the label-lovers, have you considered rods from: - Thomas & Thomas - Winston - Gatti - St. Croix - Orvis While Sage is certainly a popular and fashionable brand name in rods, they hardly have the top ranking all to themselves. Grouse |
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Post by 3lbgrayling on Apr 25, 2006 16:53:43 GMT -5
and guideline really are the dogs doo dahs. ;D
jim
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Post by edenangler on Apr 25, 2006 17:01:07 GMT -5
Recent conversations with an aquaintance in Vancouver revealed that over there, Loomis are regarded by many as absolute trash for the price and us Brits are viewed as being a bit strange for being willing to pay the prices we do for them. That said, the quality of cork on my SLT isn't exactly awe-inspiring either! Really agree with these thoughts, Eden. It seems like all conversations about top-tier trout rods in the UK stop after Sage and Loomis are mentioned. Everything else seems to be lumped in the also-ran category. If you don't like the Loomis, Gill, how about something from the other top makers? Setting aside those that think price automatically equals performance and the label-lovers, have you considered rods from: - Thomas & Thomas - Winston - Gatti - St. Croix - Orvis While Sage is certainly a popular and fashionable brand name in rods, they hardly have the top ranking all to themselves. Grouse Grouse Gatti is a name that interests me (Italian aren't they?). You very rarely hear of them over here. Have you any experience of their gear? Matt |
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Post by Daver on Apr 25, 2006 17:24:25 GMT -5
sage ever time for me im afraid, tried the glx and imx model just did not like them and the distance has to be one of the most lifeless rods I have ever used IMHO
Rgds...Dave
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Post by The Famous Grouse on Apr 25, 2006 18:17:24 GMT -5
Really agree with these thoughts, Eden. It seems like all conversations about top-tier trout rods in the UK stop after Sage and Loomis are mentioned. Everything else seems to be lumped in the also-ran category. If you don't like the Loomis, Gill, how about something from the other top makers? Setting aside those that think price automatically equals performance and the label-lovers, have you considered rods from: - Thomas & Thomas - Winston - Gatti - St. Croix - Orvis While Sage is certainly a popular and fashionable brand name in rods, they hardly have the top ranking all to themselves. Grouse Grouse Gatti is a name that interests me (Italian aren't they?). You very rarely hear of them over here. Have you any experience of their gear? Matt Never cast one, Matt. Plenty of reviews on the American sites. Ironic? You might think that. Especially considerint the currency disadvantage we have when buying anything from Europe. I just find it odd that despite the whopping over-the-odds prices of Sage over there, there's almost no discussion of the other top brands. FlyBri's observation from fishing with me last weekend was despite the number of seriously kitted out anglers we passed on the river, he didn't see one Sage. Grouse |
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Post by jan on Apr 26, 2006 1:58:58 GMT -5
i think you are missing the retained value out of the equation - the simple fact is that you can buy any sage you like, fish it as long as you want, and invariably get back most of what you paid - so its the cheapest rod option there is - even in the uk - if you are smart you can pick up a new or nearly new sage on ebay, fish for a year or two and sell for what you paid - thats cheap fishing and you get to use the best - i have tried, st croix, t&t, orvis and others, and even though the rods were okay the value for resale plummets - if you are buying to keep for ever that doesnt matter but if you think a change might be nice in a year or two then Sage is the cheapest option per day, even at UK ebay prices.
if you add on the fact that even without a warranty card you can get a replacement section for less than £30, as cheap as rods like greys and airflo, and the value becomes obvious - you cant loose.
When push comes to shove, are you going to spend £300 on a st croix or an orvis which can be really difficult to sell on in the UK (i speak from personal experience here), despite their quality, or £300 for a new sage in the knowledge that even if you dont like it you can turn it straight over and not loose a penny - thats a win win situation.
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Post by The Handsome Stick on Apr 26, 2006 4:02:52 GMT -5
i think you are missing the retained value out of the equation - the simple fact is that you can buy any sage you like, fish it as long as you want, and invariably get back most of what you paid - so its the cheapest rod option there is - even in the uk - if you are smart you can pick up a new or nearly new sage on ebay, fish for a year or two and sell for what you paid - thats cheap fishing and you get to use the best - i have tried, st croix, t&t, orvis and others, and even though the rods were okay the value for resale plummets - if you are buying to keep for ever that doesnt matter but if you think a change might be nice in a year or two then Sage is the cheapest option per day, even at UK ebay prices. if you add on the fact that even without a warranty card you can get a replacement section for less than £30, as cheap as rods like greys and airflo, and the value becomes obvious - you cant loose. When push comes to shove, are you going to spend £300 on a st croix or an orvis which can be really difficult to sell on in the UK (i speak from personal experience here), despite their quality, or £300 for a new sage in the knowledge that even if you dont like it you can turn it straight over and not loose a penny - thats a win win situation. I've never heard this rationale before. It's absolutely true. Pure genius. I'll let the wife know  Where did I put the credit card? |
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birdsnest
Full Member
********Roy and Friend******* What an ugly old trout....the fish isn't much better
Posts: 108
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Post by birdsnest on Apr 26, 2006 4:08:58 GMT -5
I am a Hardy fan, Have cast sage much prefer the Hardy's though. However recently bought a Michael Evans "all rounder" #6-7. Can really cast with this baby, at half the price too. (No, I don't work for Michael Evans). Birdsnest
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Post by cranswallow on Apr 26, 2006 4:30:13 GMT -5
You are paying for the name SAGE,HARDY ETC.
Try a bloke rod.
I have an XL50 9ft 4piece #6 and what a rod this is,The Hardy ,Sage,Loomis is not a patch on it.
I have tried and owned all the above mentioned rods and I would not swap the Bloke for any of them.
The Gem,Ultralite,TCR, have all gone on ebay but I am going to add to my bloke collection.
Cran
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Where did I put the credit card?