Century surf machine elite

[chisler]

The pricing of the SME blank suggests that Century does not support without compensation the custom building of their rods.  We can all agree that buying: a titanium guide train, real seat, grips, butt cap, epoxy etc. ,labor, is just a tad bit more than $211.00

[levari]

2 mins ago, chisler said:

The pricing of the SME blank suggests that Century does not support without compensation the custom building of their rods.  We can all agree that buying: a titanium guide train, real seat, grips, butt cap, epoxy etc. ,labor, is just a tad bit more than $211.00

Where did you hear that the SME elite is equipped with titanium guides? This information is not available on the web site.

 

Also, if you look in the ODM website you can see that the difference in the cost of the frontier blank vs built rod is about $210. In line with the SME elite..

[LowEnd]

9 mins ago, chisler said:

The pricing of the SME blank suggests that Century does not support without compensation the custom building of their rods.  We can all agree that buying: a titanium guide train, real seat, grips, butt cap, epoxy etc. ,labor, is just a tad bit more than $211.00

This^
$900 for a blank is out of control.

When Century first came to the states their blanks were moderately priced.

Now the blanks cost more than most factory built rods.

While 11 oz. for a 11 foot rod is on the light side, costing 2 to 3x’s more to save an ounce or two is cost prohibitive for me.

[Water Dog]

SME factory rods are built with ALPS RPD reel seats and Fuji T itanium SiC guides.

[levari]

23 mins ago, Water Dog said:

You’re very odd in the way you like to nit pick ad nauseam.  Do you think a blank and premium components build themselves?  Get a quote from Lou Caruso or any other reputable rod builder for a ODM Evolution build and get back to me…

 

And I just looked back at my records..  I actually paid $910.  My math is spot on.

 

 

Ok, you paid in the holidays $910 for a factory built rod. The difference is still for without holidays discount ODM rod with the same quality and components is $220.

 

Lou Caruso is one of the most expensive builders and he built custom rods, not factory rods.

 

$210 for components and labor of factory rods is the common price. Not just the difference for ODM Frontier but also black hole Striper special 12’.

 

 

 

 

[levari]

32 mins ago, FalmouthFisher said:

If you want to buy a similar length ODM Evolution with similar components you’ll be in the $900 range. 
 

Century probably discounts the blank when you buy a complete rod from them.  They’re not stacking profit on a complete rod on top of profit on the blank.  

What’s the difference between the components of factory built Century SME elite rod versus factory built Frontier or the black hole Striper special 12’ rod?

The difference between the factory built price versus the blank is the same for all of them.

[R.R. Bridge Fisher]

1 min ago, levari said:

What’s the difference between the components of factory built Century SME elite rod versus factory built Frontier or the black hole Striper special 12’ rod?

The difference between the factory built price versus the blank is the same for all of them.

There's a surf machine Elite elite blank?

[FalmouthFisher]

2 mins ago, levari said:

What’s the difference between the components of factory built Century SME elite rod versus factory built Frontier or the black hole Striper special 12’ rod?

The difference between the factory built price versus the blank is the same for all of them.

I don’t know.  Not actually that familiar with the ODM rods.  But I do know that the SME that I own has a titanium RV stripper guide, for example.  Those can run close to $100 for a single guide. 

[levari]

6 mins ago, FalmouthFisher said:

I don’t know.  Not actually that familiar with the ODM rods.  But I do know that the SME that I own has a titanium RV stripper guide, for example.  Those can run close to $100 for a single guide. 

Is it a factory rod or a custom rod?

Hopefully Water Dog can chime in and let us know if his rod is equipped with titanium guides close to $100 per guide?

[FalmouthFisher]

Just now, levari said:

Is it a factory rod or a custom rod?

Hopefully Water Dog can chime in and let us know if his rod is equipped with titanium guides close to $100 per guide?

Factory

[Water Dog]

Yes, my factory SME rod has a Fuji Titanium SiC RV stripper guide…

 

[striperswiper06437]

I think the build cost on my last custom was $200....parts and labor.  Cost of the blank obviously not included in the $200.  I went Fuji reel seat, first 3 guides as K frames, then simple runners after that.  I see absolutely zero reason to spend money on titanium guides and fancy components.  I don't think it adds any substantial difference to the final product.  I guess if you want to spend for all of those fancy components, more power to you; but it's certainly not necessary.  

[R.R. Bridge Fisher]

1 min ago, striperswiper06437 said:

I think the build cost on my last custom was $200....parts and labor.  Cost of the blank obviously not included in the $200.  I went Fuji reel seat, first 3 guides as K frames, then simple runners after that.  I see absolutely zero reason to spend money on titanium guides and fancy components.  I don't think it adds any substantial difference to the final product.  I guess if you want to spend for all of those fancy components, more power to you; but it's certainly not necessary.  

200 sounds reasonable 

[FalmouthFisher]

1 min ago, striperswiper06437 said:

I think the build cost on my last custom was $200....parts and labor.  Cost of the blank obviously not included in the $200.  I went Fuji reel seat, first 3 guides as K frames, then simple runners after that.  I see absolutely zero reason to spend money on titanium guides and fancy components.  I don't think it adds any substantial difference to the final product.  I guess if you want to spend for all of those fancy components, more power to you; but it's certainly not necessary.  

I’d spring for titanium for corrosion resistance alone. 

[Local24 SSP]

2 hours ago, levari said:

The pure math does not support you.

 

Century SME Elite 11’3” blank $863

Century SME Elite rod -$1074

 

The difference is $211.

 

ODM evolution 11’6” blank $390

 

ODM rod built with the same component as the SME elite:

$390+$211= $601

 

$690 vs $950 far from being same ballpark..

 

 

let me preface the book I wrote by saying I’m not sure if you have been trying to compare the quality and reliability of an Evo to the SME but… 

I don’t own a SME, I owned an evo (I won in a raffle) for all of a week. I don’t keep many friends that fish, maybe 4. Yet I know of at least 6 (confirmed) evos that have broken on guys while fishing out on sand bars. Every ODM salesman/rep on the planet preaches how strong of blank it is, it’s not. I like my 2 NEX1s, they take an absolute beating and still perform. But IMO an evo is nothing but a knock off CTS, without being proven (like a CTS)
ODM’s marketing is impressive, most of their rods however are not. 
I don’t want to have to think about being flawless when landing a fish, and babying the rod, which IMO is EXACTLY what the evo requires. 
An evo maybe a great rod for the average fisherman.. but for guys that beat the brakes off their gear, there is without question far better options on the market... The SM or SME for example 

Edited March 28 by Local24 SSP