LIVE Unboxing of 20 SHIMANO Exsence BB and Comparison with Exsence CI4+

This video was streamed live but i inadvertently showed the addresses on the package. I cut those out and I am reposting the video without any other edits. Let me know if any questions.
Special thanks to Joseph G for providing this reel for review!
email: [e-mail]

[@thewaterox1]

Started fishing a 3000 Ultegra and it’s impressive. Stradic FL is still my fav but the Ultegra gives a lot for the money.

[@williamwright1806]

I bought this a few months ago for bass fishing. Feels good so far!

[@ifishcatfish]

Thats the thing, just because it is not related to the original Exsence it doesnt make it a bad value. The reel is so smooth and so sturdy that its hard to beat at that price for bass fishing.

[@quanloikid1]

The gear is thicker and rated 4000 strength. The resin is more rigid, heavier and rotor is heavier. The reel has X-ship and X- protect . Great Video!!

[@ifishcatfish]

I dont know if u do saltwater, but this is better looking than the FL and just as capable in my opinion.

[@quanloikid1]

@@ifishcatfish I don't fish salt water but I swear by the FL

[@gregbiddle5963]

Hello and thanks for the great review. I have the Exsence magnesium, the CI4 and the Vanford all 3000 size. The Ci4 has less start up pressure as the handle has enough weight to turn the rotor and the Vanford will not although the CI4 is a 5 to 1 to it's advantage. That being said the CI4 does have possibly more handle play but nothing like your example. The CI4 is to me a very very dark gray and matches the new 2020 St. Croix Extreme rod perfectly.

[@ifishcatfish]

yeah, the paint is definitely different.. So is the magnesium much better than the CI4+ in terms of smoothness and gears feel? If you forget about resistance..

[@obsidianzarok2361]

That 2020 BB is amazing value for money and it looks very nice. I have the CI4+ Exsence and they are superb long lasting salt water reels. honestly the more expensive Exsence reels are for show and that's all, someone like me that fishes 99% alone has absolutely no reason to buy them, i can buy them no problem and i did own one of the magnesium ones for a while but i get no advantages whatsoever in actual real time fishing with them over the cheaper Exsence reels.

[@ifishcatfish]

I never owned the magnesium, but i was told it feels better than the CI4+. Is that not true?

[@obsidianzarok2361]

@@ifishcatfish The magnesium 2017 version Exsence is a little bit smoother than the 2018 CI4+ Exsence yes but only when you sit down with it turning the handle over will you notice this. In use when out fishing you can not tell the difference between it and the 2018 CI4+ Exsence believe me there practically the same reel except one of them is priced more than twice as much... Incredibly as well the roller bearing completely failed on my 2017 4000 MXG Exsence after only one month of use where as the CI4+ Exsence has lasted me two and a half years of full on salt water abuse and it's still fine and silent in the roller bearings it's just a bit grindy in the gears that's all, i bought a new one a few months back as i love them such good reels. What a terrible noise the 2017 Exsence used to make so i sent it off and got my money back. I won't buy an expensive reel ever again as there simply just not worth it.

[@fil12x]

Would you still recommend it for freshwater and lake fishing with a 7' medium rod (on the lighter side…)??? Thanks!

[@quanloikid1]

I received the Exsense BB today. It is beautiful. It is incredibly SMOOTH without silent drive and micromesh. The paint is beautiful, and it does look like the same paint as the Vanford. The Hagane gear, X ship, S-ARB bearings, one piece bail...Hard to beat for $144. Only the 2021 Ultegra will give you more for your money with CI4+ body, and 5+1 BB The C3000 BB will way 0.6 oz more,

[@smp2496]

Where'd you buy exsense bb?

[@ifishcatfish]

i ordered the Ultegra... will see. The BB is really hard to beat at 144$

[@quanloikid1]

@@smp2496 at Kingfisher on Ali.....it was $152 minus an $8 promotio On Ebay it's about $181-273 and often comes from the same place. The 2021 Ultegra gives you everything mm and silent drive for $159. I think it may be a better buy.

[@smp2496]

@@ifishcatfish fantastic friend

[@smp2496]

@@quanloikid1 thanks guys

[@ata1421]

Wow I just got one BB delivered and you make this clip. BTW it is really h feels heavy when you carry both of them, but alone but itself, it is not that heavy. Anyways I like this one also because you can save money and get high quality reel.

[@bobjohnson7207]

Like those black reels. As some of my reels are old the new reels are so smooth.

[@ifishcatfish]

Good taste in reels

[@nawinchester]

This is a great video, as I am contemplating the two reels, as well as the non Ci4+ Exsence. That is a comparison I would really like to see. What is the difference between the $500 non Ci4+ reel and the $300 Ci4+ reel?? Thanks for taking the time to share. Happy New Year!

[@ifishcatfish]

i have a video about the new exsence reel, the expensive one. Search for it. I can't type everything in comments

[@cozab5487]

Nice review man👌, I gotta say, if you like this thing you should check out the high end 2021 Exsence, they have finally replaced the 17 model (which was a great reel in its own right) with a thing of absolute beauty! Knowing how much you love the 19 Vanquish, you'll be pleased to hear its essentially the same reel as the 19 Vanquish haha, just dressed in a design i think you'd quite appreciate!

[@ferst5937]

And improved! Love the new exsence. Wanted to get the vanquish but then i found the exsence A.

[@wuquanchi]

I made my research along time ago for the BB series, and wanted to share a small thing :) BB means BloodBrother :)

[@ifishcatfish]

somebody said this but i don't get it. Whose blood brother? This reel has no relationship to the original Exsence whatsoever. I don't know if they share a single part

[@wuquanchi]

@@ifishcatfish But you said the spool is exactly the same :) and handle looks similar too. at least their name is similar :) both are "exsence" and coming from Shimano family. This was a great review for me because I couldn't find any English detailed review of this reel. By the way, the new Ultegra is really made of CI4 body. The Japanese website has also updated its specs. My new budget favourite reel now Ultegra 21. It shares all technologies with Vanford the only back draw is it is 40ish gr heavier. and I don't mind that heaviness. Thanks Victor ! have a great Sunday!

[@ifishcatfish]

Spools are different. I was talking about the rotor, but that's probably different too because its so much heavier. But my exsence has a spool that accepts bearing support. This spool does no accomodate bearings. Clicker is different too. Handle looks same but its not same either. Mine has two bearings in the knob, while this one is bushings. Paint is different too. This really looks like a black painted ultegra to me. Not to knock it down, as it feel REALLY SMOOTH, smoother than my reel that costs twice as much, but they have nothing in common. I'm not arguing.. just pointing out, in case someone else reads this

[@wuquanchi]

@@ifishcatfish it is never aguing of course. we are sharing our opinions here so that anybody can see, learn, add something to it. That's all-purpose.

[@ifishcatfish]

Folks, i have to repost this because in the LIVE Stream i inadverently displayed the addresses on the package. This video has the addresses removed, and no other edits. Once again, many thanks to Joseph G. for providing the reel for the video!

[@jaredwigmore1690]

I've now had a couple of times out with my Presso 6'6"UL and Legalis LT 2000S. I can honestly say I really appreciate your detailed reviews. I may or may not get another Legalis/Exceler for my 7'UL Presso. I see they have newer ones out now. Any plans to review those?

[@ifishcatfish]

Of course. When they are available. That color though... i will probably shift my recommendation to Exceller instead of Legalis just for the color

[@ifishcatfish]

@@jaredwigmore1690 where did u find a 6'6 Presso? That is a miracle..

[@jaredwigmore1690]

@@ifishcatfish both 6'6" and 7'0 were eBay finds (new) I've only tried out the 6'6" so far and it is an amazing rod at the msrp. I paid much less though. These will get a lot of use for sure.

[@jaredwigmore1690]

@@ifishcatfish they seem to already be available in Europe. The 2020 exceler looks beautiful and if it performs anything like the old ones it'll be well worth the pennies

[@AMLuc1320]

Hi mate, I just picked up a 20 Exsence BB quite cheap on clearance from my local store and for the price I payed I’m very happy with it. I’m wondering weather you know what material the body is? It feels like the same metal body as the Stradic Fk, but I can’t find any information to confirm that. Hoping it’s not the plastic body from the 17 Ultegra!

[@ifishcatfish]

It is. It it Ultegra.

[@AMLuc1320]

@@ifishcatfish I could have sworn it’s a metal body reel. Feels strong in hand for a plastic body!

[@ifishcatfish]

its thick and rigid. Thats why its so heavy. If you compare the weight... its not carbon and its not even aluminum

[@andyshin6057]

Should I get the 2024 exense bb for more money than 21 version? Another question is exense bb better than ultregra

[@ifishcatfish]

I think it IS Ultegra, painted in black. The BB is always not a real reel but old reel painted in black.

[@alexandermenningmann5469]

What do you think? Shimano X sense CI 4+ or Shimano 20 twin power both in c3000 MHG size for largemouth bass fishing and other south Florida exotics including peacock bass,Snakehead, clownknife.

[@ifishcatfish]

Twinpower for that

[@alexandermenningmann5469]

@@ifishcatfish I appreciate your reviews. Thanks for the quick reply. I have both the 21 Exsence and the 18 Exsence ci4+. Trying to set some combos set up. The rod i need a reel for is a 6’8” M Expride B. Mostly fishing soft jerkbaits and 1/4 oz jigs. 21 exsence is awesome but i think is a little light for the rod and just a tad tip heavy. The Ci4+ weighs 195 grams compared to 180 in the exsence and pairs nicely. The Ci4 plus works great and is smooth. Just maybe want to upgrade. Im worried the Twinpower might weigh more than i want or is 15 grams negligible? Thanks.

[@ifishcatfish]

twinpower is better for that type of fishing. If your concern is balance, i don't have your rod and can't help u with that, but out of the 2 reels i would prefer the twinpower based on the load

[@nickscud4178]

SO: for me, i would take a vanford over both excense bb AND miravel, however I'm cuious: fore almost the same money, why would you pick a miravel or an excense bb, betwewe two??

[@ifishcatfish]

Yes, Vanford is best. Then ExsenceBB, which i believe is a black Ultegra. Then Miravel which is a Nasci in CI4 body

[@ferst5937]

Bought the new 2021 shimano exsence A the 3000 size. Man what a spinning reel, it's really super good. Using it for both fresh and saltwater. No handle play etc. Super smooth etc. Have you had one of these yet?

[@ifishcatfish]

i have one in the mail but its not mine. Subscriber mailed it just for review

[@ferst5937]

@@ifishcatfish awesome that subscribers do this for you. Curious about the review. Any idea when?

[@ifishcatfish]

i dont know. 2-3 weeks.. i have to fish it a few times

[@ferst5937]

@@ifishcatfish okidoki. I think you will enjoy it. It's superb for finesse type fishing. Was thinking to go daiwa luvias airity, but the handle apparently isn't tight. This one is.

[@hunteryodsing]

The 3000 CI4+ does have a HG version.

[@ifishcatfish]

did i say it doesn't?

[@addiresells7832]

I watched your video from a year ago and was wondering if you would still recommend the Diawa Legalis with that shakespare rod for a budget ultralight setup still?

[@ifishcatfish]

Yes. But Legalis , Exceller and Retal LT are all the same reel, so i would just buy whichever is on sale, or whichever u prefer in terms of colors

[@addiresells7832]

@@ifishcatfish Thanks and I enjoy the content so you have a new sub😁

[@addiresells7832]

@@ifishcatfish and also the 5 gear ratio is better right?

[@ifishcatfish]

For ME, yes. But objectively speaking it is just a tradeoff of speed vs resistance. If you want high speed you will have a lot of resistance when u turn the handle. I like no resistance.

[@addiresells7832]

@@ifishcatfish perfect explanation thanks!

[@sc6802]

the old reel bail is horizontally level to the reel, the new reel is at an off set. why is that?

[@ifishcatfish]

no idea

[@shahmee_]

Are you planning to get the complex xr?

[@ifishcatfish]

Yes. Let me know when u see it available

[@larrylcox]

I would love to know more about the upcoming Complex XR and where it fits in Shimano’s ecosystem. How were the previous Complex models?

[@smp2496]

Where can i get exsence bb? They don't sell anymore?m

[@ifishcatfish]

I dont know. He mailed it to me. He will tell you, i see you found his comment

[@thaikeopanya5282]

Shimano exsence bb or daiwa lexa lt?

[@ifishcatfish]

Daiwa Lexa LT

[@dimitricassando5144]

what is BB means ....?? on shimano reels and rods.. BB means please ....?

[@ifishcatfish]

have no idea

[@gogivunka]

2:28 Saltiga man :D Saltiga

[@ifishcatfish]

is saltiga strong enough for crappie?

[@cdrodsextrasense2986]

How can you be so unscrupulous, can you perhaps be more careful when you deal with other people's goods? You have with the knife the packaging totally scratched! I am totally disappointed!

[@ifishcatfish]

forget about packaging... i displayed the poor guys address... that was actually not OK. But he confirmed he is good. And i am moving out of this state altogether.

[@ИванИванов-г3г6с]

не корректное сравнение ((( эск 18 выше чем 20 бб

[@ifishcatfish]

Horosho

[@liodjonson]

Сделай обзор на русском

[@ifishcatfish]

u vas uje ochen mnogo obzornie kanali