Which Abu Ambassadeur 7000 to get? Need help ...

[thtanus]

I had a 20 years old red Abu 7000 which is still going strong. I like to purchase a new Abu 7000 series reel for another bait chunking rod but I am very hesitant to do that again due to poor quality that I and other people in this site had experience .

 

The new Abu 7000 BH7000HS and it broke after my 3rd cast. I had hell lot of trouble trying to return back to retail store that I brought the reel and did not wish to go thru the same hassle again.

 

Any one know what was the last Sweden made 7000 model , I would prefer to have them if they are still possible to get (I think it will be very difficult since production had stopped a few years ago)?

 

Franklym I really don't mind China made Abu reel if the quality holds. May be I an just plainly unluckly, how's other experience with the China made reel. If others could share their experience, we would be able to gauage the quality issue of new 7000 series more fairly. If your experience is good please do post the specific 7000-series reel that you used (i.e 7000 CS Rocket, 7000C3, 7000BG, etc).

 

SurfSlinger had provided some excellent information about the new 7000i for 2007. Have anyone used it and what're their feel about it? I may give it a shot if other can provide some positive feedbacks.

[Ditch Jigger]

This is one of the good ones:

 

http://www.stripersonline.com/surfta...d.php?t=507750

[Surfslinger]

Tht,

 

Yes, finding a new "Made in Sweden" 7000 in stores is going to be very tough, and eBay may be about your best hope. ABU did recently release a Swedish made "7000C3 Tribute", but again it will be a rather hard model to find, and AFAIK this is the last 7000 to be stamped "Made in Sweden". If all parts/assembly are actually 100% Swedish I really can't say with certainty.

 

 

It seems to me that a lot of problems revolve around the Taiwanese made BG 7000HS reels, and not so much with the Taiwanese made 7000C3's. I have several of these Taiwanese 7000C3's, and aside from poor quality spool bearings, the rest of it is pretty well made. Call it blasphemy, but I have one Taiwanese made plain Jane silver 7000C3 in particular that has smoother gears and much better/stronger clicker than my 7500CT's.

 

Like you, I'm looking for some detailed no B.S. users reports to help with my opinion of the reel. SOL member "1014" sent me an internal pic of a 7000iHSN, and thought you might be interested in seeing it:

 

 

Kinda has a Morrum vibe to it, and you will notice the same plastic geared cam type free spool mechanism for the pinion, dual yoke springs for the plastic yoke, and on top of the IAR we get an AR dog. 1014 is from Hawaii, and I hope he can give us a review after he tangles with some of the brutes that swim his waters.

 

Good luck,

SS

[thtanus]

Thanks SurfSlinger,

 

The picture was really helpful.

 

Yike, the 7000i gears do not looks like it going to last like the old stuff. I really wish that Abu makes better 7000, I would have gladly pay more for it.

 

I think I mind just get the 7000C3 and replace the bearing. SurfSlinger, are the gear in C3 plastics or brass. I am plastic shy now ... How about 7000 Pro Rocket, are they better or worst, I still see 7000C3 and Pro Rocket getting advertised.

 

Appreciated your feedback, they are tremendous help!

[Surfslinger]

tht,

 

You're welcome.

 

The 7000i main gear and pinion are brass. The gears I mentioned are for camming the pinion in and out, and am willing to bet long lived in normal use.

 

The previous generation 7000's plastic level wind cog gear in the side plate is no reason for concern. They act as a sacrificial component and will be destroyed before other parts, or if you should get your finger stuck between the line guide and frame. These gears are tough, cheap and easy to replace, and should give you little trouble. About the only fault I give them is noise and a little grumbly feeling. A dab of grease in the area where the gear meshes with the brass gear on the levelwind worm can quiet them a bit. Main gears have always been brass, and are tough as well in this 4.1:1 ratio.

 

Between the Pro rocket and the older C3, I would definitely get the C3. With the C3 you get a nice big 9x17x5 ball bearing on the driveshaft instead of a wimpy plastic bushing installed in the Pro Rocket. The flex allowed from this plastic part can allow the star skirt to drag into the chromed tube on the side plate over time, causing damage as shown in this pic I took:

 

 

Also for me it just feels so much more solid with this bearing in place. Tuned to suit, both will deliver really good distance with very good control. Another reel that you might look for is the 7000SSC3. Nice maroon color, 3 bearings, flat side plate rims w/o nasty decals...

 

 

Good luck with your search!

 

SS

[asbury guy]

I use my c3 5 times a week and don't do any maintinence to it and had it 4 years.Sept,oct,nov and dec,i beat this reel something funny and it works great.

[L-Dog]

SurfSlinger,

Do you have any intel on the new 7000I HSN big game?

[Surfslinger]

SurfSlinger,

Do you have any intel on the new 7000I HSN big game?

 

 

Nope, wish I did.

 

Other than a quick disassembly of a 7000i, and basic function check I know very little about them. Really hoping folks can post a nice users review for this and other 7000's in the series soon.

 

FWIW, the new ABU website is status quo for not having any pics, specs or any other info. ABU IMO really needs to do like the camera and electronics makers do by offering teaser pics/descriptions on the site to build buzz prior to release, then the day of official release have the full specs, pictures, and field tester results ON THE SITE!!! It simply amazes me how sluggish, and reluctant ABU is to promote their own products

 

SS

[Dr. Rob]

Indeed, I too am a little perplexed. I happen to know for example of a new Abu reel coming out soon. Should be big news, but... Nothing. Not from them, or the website, or dealers, or press releases.

(not from me either, since it just isn't my place to speak on their behalf)

 

Maybe they're just so big and been around so long, that they've found it doesn't matter. News does get out eventually anyway, and truth is, that the overwhelming majority of their global customer base doesn't read this website anyway.

[biggstriper]

I have the silver one from last year that they had at Sports Authority and everywhere else. It never failed me and operated smooth as silk all year. I might try to get a second one if I see any more around.

[StormCaster]

Tht,

 

It seems to me that a lot of problems revolve around the Taiwanese made BG 7000HS reels, and not so much with the Taiwanese made 7000C3's. I have several of these Taiwanese 7000C3's, and aside from poor quality spool bearings, the rest of it is pretty well made. Call it blasphemy, but I have one Taiwanese made plain Jane silver 7000C3 in particular that has smoother gears and much better/stronger clicker than my 7500CT's.

SS

 

 

I have one also of those C3's that has a stronger clicker than 7500 configurations except for the 7500C3 reel.

[CanalRat89]

I have been using a C3 Pro Rocket for a year now...i havent had any trouble with it..i upgraded the bearings and it casts like a missile..i would reccomend it to anyone interested in a conventional

[Mangrove Jack]

I have been using a C3 Pro Rocket for a year now...i havent had any trouble with it..i upgraded the bearings and it casts like a missile..i would reccomend it to anyone interested in a conventional

 

 

I have a 7000 Pro Rocket too and even with its stock bearings it casts very well (smooth, silent, nice controlable free spool). I thought that 'Pro Rocket' meant that it came with 'rocket' bearings which were of better quality than the stock bearings in the 7000 series.

 

Can anyone shed any light on this please.

[1014]

Actually SS,

I reside in Northern California now, though I ship gear before every trip home, so eventually this reel will get to see some "moke" style fish. until then it will meet its share of brute fish especially shore/pier sturgeon. well, maybe (a little foreshadowing)....

 

i have fished it only once, and it held up to a nice sized bat ray, but no sturgeon yet. casts real well 8+herring/ghost shrimp/grass shrimp. smooth retrieve which i needed at some rockwalls i fish from. here's what i think of the inside of the reel tho:

 

its nice and feels sturdy. lots of it due to the thicker plates and the heavier feel. nice stock carbon drag. nice bigger handle knob. but this isnt all gravy now. the problem that connected me to surfslinger was the break down wasn't so simple. i finally figured it out and had to compare to my friend's reel to see if i got it correct. the schematics weren't much help. neither was purefishing who no longer returns my emails. the gearing is smaller, so replacing the drag metal washers or upgrading the carbon washers to aftermarket isn't real option. i have some extra 7000 metal washers if anyone wants it lol. and here's the clincher of my now "no" vote for the 7000ihsn. my friend just gave me a ring and told me the screw broke off from his free spool lever. he's maintained his reels for years and this is the first time its happen to him during maintenance! that's what compelled me to search this topic out.

 

sure the body is sturdy but the small parts act rather weak. thumbs down.

[Penn]

Thtanus:

 

The Ambassadeur 7000 series is not like the 4000-6000 series. Not all parts are interchangeable and NONE of the China-made reels stand up to the Swedish-made standard. However, there are some workarounds that are viable. I have rebuilt numerous 7000B and 7000 CS Rockets into the 7000/7500 Swedish standard. The first thing you need to know is that the spools and Pinion gears of the "C" series, the "B" series, and the "CS series are different, so, the spools are not interchangeable. The 3x10x4 axel bearings will interchange with the bushings. The 7500C or 7500 C3 CT 5.3:1 Main Gear and Pinion Gear will interchange with the 4.1:1 gear sets PROVIDED, you replace the 7000B and 7000 CS spool with a 7000C spool. The Chinese made reels have a lot of plastic in them and should be avoided. You should be able to still find standard 7000C reels from Sweden. If you have to, buy old 7000C reels and rebuild them. The parts are still available except for the CT frames. However, line guide replacement kits are sold everywhere. If you have any questions, email me at pennvaughan@aol.com. I have schematics and all of the differing part numbers for any repairs/upgrades/conversions you may want to do. I do this all the time and have modified well over a thousand reels. No charge for the help.