Battle of the Abumatic 170's-Old vs New

[@1stgenbirdNH]

I have a. Abumatic 170 I've used since the 60s and it's my favorite and I fish with it often. I expect the old ones are built with better quality parts than the 170s of today. Thanks for the fun video.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

To be Honest the only thing I really noticed was the lack of lubricant in the new 170. It still works and cast pretty well and I use it quite often but I still give the old 170 a higher score on function. They old ones were Swiss made, the new ones are Chinese ☹️. But I have two new ones that go out with me on a regular basis. 👍🏻😉

[@KVcrna1]

With an occasional cleaning and lubrication, my 45+ year old 170 will surely last another 45+ years. As mentioned below, that 1/4 handle reverse drag function has saved me countless lost fish who weren’t quite ready to leave the water.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Strangely enough, the older 170’s are hard to find. I used this particular one a lot and it’s never let me down. However, even the new 170, though it’s made in china, works really well and They’re easy to maintain. I’d take either one anywhere.. Thanks for watching!! Willie

[@peterturner5618]

A friend gave me a Model 120 & thanks to you, I was able to take it apart, cleaned it, and lube it. Now once the weather clears up, it's a fishing we'll go!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

😃Man that’s awesome, what a great friend!! but I’ll bet ya Big Mac combo, you could’ve done it without me😉. I’m just glad it’s gonna be back out there doing what it was meant to do!! I know only too well about the weather. The last few days, Mother Nature has been a bit sporadic. Good luck with that 120, let me know how it goes!! Maybe I’ll have to do another 120 video in the future😉. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!! I appreciate it very much!! Willie

[@peterturner5618]

@@TheGraytOutdoors As an old-timer myself (76) I appreciate vintage, well made stuff.

[@peterturner5618]

What weight line would you recommend? I"m thinking of 6lb mono.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@peterturner5618 6lb mono👍🏻That’s exactly what I would use. Suffix or Trout Magnet SOS or whatever suits you. Those are my two…

[@peterturner5618]

@@TheGraytOutdoors Yep, love the trout magnet. I'll send pictures if/when I catch a trout.

[@bobsmoot2392]

My modern 170 kept self tighten the drag as I cranked the reel. It was me. I got the tiny slotted washers out of sequence when reassembling after cleaning. Found an exploded view parts diagram online. Got them right. Fixed the problem. Love this real! Oscillating spool makes for smooth casting with zero line problems.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Happens to me all the time.. I have to go back and watch my own videos sometimes just to remember how it came apart,😂.

[@matter3232]

It took an hour or so but got it lubed the anti reverse was stuck open so it was a full teardown . Thanks for the update. It was the 2020 version .

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

I have three of the more modern 2015 and up versions and I love using them.. but all three needed grease and oil brand new right out of the box.. they worked perfectly after that.. thanks for watching!! 🤠

[@Deecor2]

New one is advertised as 12 lbs vs your 6 lbs at 2022 new price 36.00 For me it a great reel to to teach the grandkids to fishing and builds up their confidence in casting.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Wait? So the price has dropped?!😳 Man, I might have to get another one! Cause that usually means, their gonna stop making them, at last that’s how it usually pans out for me when I like something. It’s perfect for kids, hek, it’s great for all ages. I love using it as a matter of fact, just had it out a couple weeks ago catching big bluegill and crappie… they’re great reels.

[@Deecor2]

@@TheGraytOutdoors watched your video today bought it at Amazon today for 36.00 plus tax same day delivery It will be on the water tomorrow with the grandkid thxs for your video.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@Deecor2 That’s awesome!! It might need a little extra grease. Mine was definitely lacking. I down sized that line and it made a huge difference. I truly hope you enjoy it!! Let me know how it goes!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!

[@lionsfan80]

Thanks for the comparison Would love to see both reels taken apart and compared Cheers

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Good Day!! That’s a very good idea and I can tell you that there were differences internally. Though the new 170 had it’s issues, after I got home, I did disassemble it and figured out one of the main issues with it. (Little, to no, grease in the housing on the gears😳) I also dropped the line size down to 8 pound and it’s a totally different reel now. I’ll be using it again in an upcoming episode to let everyone see the outcome, along with ANOTHER reel I just purchased for Christmas. The Abumatic ProMax. Stay turned, thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@lionsfan80]

@@TheGraytOutdoors Hello New reels sometimes come very dry inside and could do with a lighter line sometimes I'm glad you got it performing better I have the original 170 but the handle got broken and a few other issues I was considering buying another old one but I think I'll get the new model instead Thanks for the reply and take care😀

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@lionsfan80 A little dry was certainly an understatement 😃, must have been assembled on a late Friday afternoon😉, however, it truly does hold up to the “Abumatic” name now, works great! As far as your original reel, there’s a place in “Wisconsin” - Mat’s Reel Repair Service 1930 Pinewood Dr. Eagle River, WI 54521 715-337-2337 These guys have really surprised me with what they have literally “on the shelf” for my vintage stuff. Give them a shout! Thanks again!!

[@randywilson6869]

@@TheGraytOutdoors do u think he has parts for a Garcia abu 505

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@randywilson6869 Hey there! Definitely doesn’t hurt to give him a try. When it comes to older reels, a lot of it is just hoping someone has kept the old “busted up beyond repair” ones around just for that “one person or two” that may need something. So far Mat has only “not had” one part I’ve asked about. They have a contact spot (email) on there website, tell him what you have and what you need. He usually gets back to me in a couple days or so with an answer. 🤞🏻 hopefully he will.

[@Corkstercam]

I was wondering if the new reel still has the feature where you turn the reel handle 1/4 turn back to release the line. As I understand that is only on certain models of the 170. It is for the occasion you get a big fish on and have the drag too tight you can reverse reel turn 1/4 to free the line off and let the fish run without breaking line while you adjust drag. My older 170's do this but I've been told the stopped doing that at some point.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hey there! Honestly, I don’t remember any of my 170’s doing that🤔. I know the 120 has a reverse 1/4 turn that adjusted the drag. I’ve only owned 120’s and a several 170’s.. a couple 275u’s… I’ve seen a lot of other Abumatic style reels I would’ve loved to had bought but you just don’t find them as often and they definitely are more expensive then most other spin cast reels. But I always keep my eyes open and if there is such a beast out there, I hope I come across one soon, thanks for the info!! 🤠 Thanks for watching and commenting!! Willie

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Great stuff ! Nice to have a bit of humour thrown in. Some people really take this stuff TOO seriously. From viewer in UK.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Thank you!! It means a great deal to me that you watched and enjoyed it, plus took the time to comment. I feel Points can be made just as sincerely with a laugh or two along the way as with a straight face and straight facts. I hope to get better as I go along🤞🏻since I just started last summer. So I’ve still got a lot to learn. Thanks once again, it DOES mean a lot!! Keep watching!😉

[@LazyRetroGamer]

You can tell the age under the reel fot on any Abu and Abu Garcia reel

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

You’re right😃 As long as the number plate is there, which mine are not☹️I’ve seen that a lot on the Abumatics.. The reels outlive the glue😄

[@LazyRetroGamer]

@@TheGraytOutdoors its not glued its printed into the metal

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@LazyRetroGamer there’s definitely a place there for numbers, but there aren’t any there unfortunately. Looks just like a spot where a plate would be. I just assumed that it fell off. Unfortunately, none of my Abumatics have any numbers there. Very strange.

[@LazyRetroGamer]

@@TheGraytOutdoors Very strange indeed all my old Abu (Svängsta)and Abu Garcia are printed under the fot (Cardinal-Abumatic-Record-Delta-ambassadeur) Maybe they did not do it outside Scandinavia and Europe ? (all my reels are Scandinavian sold)

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@LazyRetroGamer I have two 170s, two 120s, and a 60 and unfortunately none of them are numbered.. I did a little homework a few months ago on trying to date these reels and read the same thing on where to look for the numbers.. sadly I’m not the only person with missing numbers from what I read.. not sure why but I know this, I love the Abumatics. Actually I love most Abu Garcia reels.. I recently found an Ambassaduer 1000 and am looking forward to using it, even though I’m a terrible with a bait caster😂

[@65FullMoon83]

Good review! I may have to get one of those & try it out. 🙂👍

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Thanks!! No matter which one you get, old or new, they’re fun to use and work pretty well. I just used the new 170 yesterday and it had been a while. Caught several crappie and a couple bass. I had several people walk up and ask what it was. It always gets the attention, lol. Thanks again for watching and commenting!!

[@bobsmoot2392]

Great review. Make more. Subscribed.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Soon as the weather permits, I’ll be taking a few of these old reels to some new and uncharted territories.. 🤠👍

[@whitehouse429]

just bught one today, hope I will have a great fun with it fishing!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Congratulations!! I love them, they’re a lot of fun when you combine it with the right rod!! Let me know how it goes!! 👍🏻👍🏻 Willie

[@whitehouse429]

@@TheGraytOutdoors thats my next question, I would love to combine this reel with the right rod but I dont know which one! Do you have any suggestions? Vintage or new, what model, brand?

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@whitehouse429 That’s always a good question. For me, I like putting modern rods with the vintage reels. The modern rods have more hook setting power and are definitely much easier to come by. Most vintage rods are very flimsy and hard to come by one that’s in good shape. Now, they’re fun to use, to see how it use to be but I switch to a modern rod afterwards. What would I use? Well, that’s gonna be different for everyone. I’m not a rich man so I go with affordable. I used a Berkley Lightning Rod. Around the $40 range, have a good grip, great hook sets, and very light. However, there’s “a lot” out there to chose from. Wish I could to tell you more but that’s the only one I’ve used😁.

[@whitehouse429]

@@TheGraytOutdoors I am still searching for the rod, bought another ABU in mint condition, ths time the 35 model. its a nice little toy!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

@@whitehouse429 That’s COOL!! I went to a flea-market a couple days ago but most everything they had was modern cheap junk or reels that were in such bad shape they couldn’t be fixed. I’m always looking…. 👁 👁

[@FishingWithJawad]

Thank you so much for this video! I am trying to hunt same vintage reel on ebay. Would love to watch you comparing internal parts of both reels. Tight lines, Fish On!!!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

I’ve been asked that a few times. Honestly I didn’t believe anyone would really care “how” they differed or resembled each other internally, guess I was wro....I guess I was wwwwwrrrr..... ok, I got this.... I was..... unsure? Lol Anyway, I’ll keep my eyes open. They’re out there, sadly they’re hard to find in decent condition. But I see a definite comparison video coming up, especially since I’ve worked on the new one. (And it’s great by the way) Thanks for watching and commenting!! Willie, over and out!!

[@FishingWithJawad]

@@TheGraytOutdoors Will be waiting for the video :))))

[@dangdang8106]

I use an abumatic in my bow fishing set up

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Now THAT would be an interesting video😃. I love the Abumatic. I usually have one with me whenever I go out. Basically if I take two combos, one of them is the 170. Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@CostaAzulFishingDanielGarza]

Another great video! 💪💪💪💪

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Thanks man!! This is my highest viewed!! Never would’ve guessed, I thought I was the only person that liked these old relics!! Haha

[@wolfgangemmerich7552]

I have some ,,Lefty`s" ABUMATIC , the 41 & 141 in use! Someone else who own or use ABUMATIC Lefty`s here?

[@CostaAzulFishingDanielGarza]

Hey man another cool video! 💪💪💪💪💪

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Thanks my friend!! I truly appreciate it!!

[@bobsmoot2392]

Try the new real after 40 yrs of use. Bet it smooths up too.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

I actually own 3 of those new 170 reels.. they’re great. I use at one of them on every trip. They’re made in china but they seem to be well made. I’ve taken all 3 of them all apart and cleaned them out and they work flawlessly… Great reels..

[@csimpson7035]

Sweden vs China..Swedish Craftsman ship...No comparison!!

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

I was actually surprised how well the Chinese version worked but I truly believe if the Swedish versions were still being made, the quality, fit and finish, would definitely be better. I have a couple of Abumatic 120s that are just incredibly good reels but I struggle to find the old 170s. Always got my eyes open though! 😳

[@ernestosuavecito]

To bad we can’t hear you.

[@TheGraytOutdoors]

Hi there, Not sure I understand, is there a volume issue? I just watched it and can hear it just fine… just wanna make sure if there’s something wrong that I can fix it. Thanks