The Abu Garcia Revo SX Gen 4
is an eye catcher to say the least. A matte black frame, gloss black sideplates and anodized red accents make this one of the most distinguishable reels in the industry. Clocking in at $160 this makes it an affordable option for those craving a reel on the slightly higher end without breaking the bank. The 7.8 ounce workhorse features 10 ball bearings; 9 stainless steel and 1 roller. To go along with this, we have a carbon matrix drag to bring in an impressive 24lbs of pulling force to rip fish out of cover. Spool wise we can fit up to 140 yards of 30lb braid. The Revo SX comes in two separate gear ratios to give it a little flexibility; a 6.6:1 (27IPT) and a 7.3:1 (30IPT).
The braking system is a combination of both centrifugal pins and a magnetic dial. To access the pins there is a small level on the bottom of the reel which is conveniently labeled “open” with an arrow. Simply flip it to open and the sideplate will fall straight off. Similar to other reels, it does not have a mechanism to hold it on so be careful. After we take the sideplate off there are 6 pins on the side of the spool that we can adjust. The magnetic brake is located in the outside of the spool which consist of 28 different positions. Between the magnetic brakes and the pins, this reel will allow you to throw your lure with ease in any condition.
In regards to the smoothness of this reel, it is generally what you would expect for $150. No signs of grittiness and the spin time on the spool is fairly decent. After two seasons without any cleanings, it still feels and sounds similar to the day it was bought. How does it compare to other reels? In my personal opinion I would rank it at a slightly higher level than the Revo S (to be expected since the SX is the more expensive version), but considerably lower than the Zata. As a result I believe in the future I would probably go for the cheaper Revo S or dish out a few more dollars for the Zata or another comparable reel. There is one major plus to the reel though, its killer looks.
BFA’s score: 9/10. For the price, I believe there may be slightly better options out there… but, then again you can NEVER go wrong with a Revo or Abu Garcia product. It has performed flawlessly over the years.
Check out the Revo SX here:
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