WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS REEL!? A look inside the new Shimano Nasci 500 ultralight spinning reel

A quick overview of the new Shimano Nasci 500 spinning reel. It promised so much but is it as good as the specs say? We open it up and take a look inside with some surprising results.

[@SketchbookGuitar]

For anyone who is still looking for a review of this specific 500 size. This size specifically does not have Core Protect, Cross Carbon Drag, Silent Drive and X-Ship technologies.

[@Zeuslifestyle]

I love how intensive your reviews are ❤❤❤ please do more reels and rod review

[@youfukerme2]

Was looking forward to purchasing this particular reel model for ice fishing. After this review, I think not. Thank You so much for this in depth review. Much appreciated!

[@mosicnflowmuasyaj9748]

I have the nasci 5000 model and it doesn't reel freely compared to my Stradic FL 5000 but I am very pleased it's still a very smooth reel

[@philliplawson2932]

I have the 500 series Vanford,Soare and just picked the Nasci they all work perfectly & definitely smaller than my 2000 Soare!

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

Thanks for the comment and really nice collection. Glad to hear yours all work well. Interesting to hear you don’t have any issues with resistance on your 500 size reels, in my experience mine tend to be less smooth and have more resistance. I agree the Nasci is smaller than most 1000/2000 reels but in my opinion it’s not particularly noticeable, it’s a shame it doesn’t have all the features as with the 1000/2000 Nasci too.

[@philliplawson2932]

@@thegoldenscalesclub Yeah I noticed they were a little different than my 2000 Soare but the more I used them the better they felt.Shimano tells you all of the 500 series reels do not have the X ship, silent drive or the core protection, Good luck!

[@jrdelfin6279]

I got that two reel and all i can tell is that nasci is more balanced than fuego when you use to cast.. I use my fuego 3 times and i already notice that sandy grinding feeling. For me i would choose nasci than fuego

[@geoffdavies2027]

Hi I have Shimano FX 2000 The six small springs inside need replacing ....can you point me to where I'm might be able to get spare parts for the reel TIA

[@zebwalton979]

What was the final thought on this? Did you use it? Did it loosen up?

[@sandork.9510]

thanks for the vid

[@Henry-xh8ec]

I would add some light oil to the gears and other moving parts. Thats would probably help it spin more freely. Also with usage it should free up some. I had two Vanford 500 reels and was not pleased with then. The 1000 size was way more smooth. Sent the two 500 reels back. I have four older Sahara 500 which have been good reels. I finds shimano reels are easier the work on than Daiwas. My daiwas always seem more finicky and harder to get them operating as smooth as my shimanos.

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

Thanks for the comment. Similar experience here too. I’m yet to find a 500 sized reel that I actually enjoy using. I have a couple of short trout rods (4.5ft) that would suit a nice compact reel but all the ones I’ve tried feel clunky and stiff.

[@damianowens5066]

Great review mate, would a bit of light oil on the bearings help??????

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

Cheers mate. Thats the next move. I think the main issue is that completely unnecessary anti-reverse mechanism.

[@damianowens5066]

@@thegoldenscalesclub good luck with it mate 👍

[@-_-_-....]

​​​​​​@@thegoldenscalesclubThe problem with yours, is none of the internals like you checked, it is the anti reverse, i assume you know the system, but it works centrifugal/spring loaded studs, they loosen (fly freely) when reeling forward, as soon you stop reeling they immediatly lock up causing anti reverse,(lock main shaft) but this one seem to do that when you slightly reel in or slow reel in... it should go like butter if you would turn really fast.. but yes it should not do this when reeling in slow.. it kinda works like a centrifugal brake now causing this stiffness, now you would never add oil in the anti reverse offcourse...but might do the trick causing it to really go as butter forwards... but hopefully those studs are big enough so the anti reverse grabs tight still... you could deep clean it later if it doesnt work. But this is the issue here.. idk how this one looks but on the stradic 1000 fl these things do not happen.. altough im still thinking to buy one, i think i can get it done, since i've did some other crazy sh#t 😂

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

I'd love to have a true, higher end 500 size spinning reel. They make a Vanford 500, but it loses a ton of features that makes the Vanford (Stradic) a good reel. No X-ship, no long stroke spool, different gears, etc. Guess the smaller frame makes it harder to fit key bearings and features?

[@Beesa10]

I can see the appeal but my impression is this size is a bit too small.

[@nathoi]

i have a daiwa fuego 2500 and a shimano nasci 1000.i dont like the fuego because there is a loose in the handle and in the gears.i can feel it everytime i reel up the fuego.but shimano do not have it and its sealed.

[@lovenlife4203]

So I've heard if it doesn't have the shimano seal sticker on the box that it didn't pass quality control.

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

That’s really interesting. I’ll dig the box out and see if there’s any evidence of a seal!

[@lovenlife4203]

@@thegoldenscalesclub well not that it didn't pass it but it didn't go through the final inspection.

[@bajadan2769]

you might need to use it awhile -- put a coyple drops of oil on the shaft where it gous in and out of the reel.

[@Fishingwithyohan]

do you think this reel can be used in saltwater?

[@amounifnd]

Theres till the model before this available online without the anti-reverse if thats important.

[@CHASZYTV]

nice one :)

[@mdgeist472]

Cranking the reel without the rotor will be rough because the pinion needs to be pulled towards the bearing for stability. Yeah oil the bearings and the main shaft? If that doesn't help, check if the seal around the crank is adding friction.

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

Thanks for the comment. Cranking it with the rotor removed was a mistake on my part. It looks like it’s mainly the anti-reverse bearings however I think it’s a combination of things rather than just a single issue. I’d maybe expect it from a £30-£50 reel but not from something that’s £80 rrp. Who knows after a few hours on the bank it might loosen up a bit.

[@danielwutfisho]

wow what is that double oscillation design 🤣 pretty sure the worm gears are usually present in the bigger sizes.

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

Too much going on in there which is what I think explains the resistance?

[@danielwutfisho]

@@thegoldenscalesclub yeah the 500 shimano's are definitely not the way to go.

[@naumanahmadtariq8717]

You wont feel the resistance once you take it to the water. Almost all reels become grindy with use. The only thing matter is the durability. How much beating it can take.

[@firdausmohamad5883]

all shimano 500 anti reverse problem.. put light oil on anti reverse

[@audiomacaudiomac5019]

Have the same reel and the same problem. The turn inertia is horrendous. Doesn't matter how many times I rebuild it with different light grease and oil. The design is bad. The two oscillating gears create a lot of friction and binding. The 500 vanford, soare, nasci size share the same design, comparing from schematics. They do not share the same design as their larger models. Shimano is misleading their customers. The 500 size does not have all the advanced technologies as their larger models but they sell them at the same price. Stay away from the 500 size !

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

Thanks for the comment. Absolutely agree, I can see no reason to pick 500 over 1000 size. It can’t be down to weight, nor dimensions as it’s not even noticeably smaller than my 2000 vanford…

[@amounifnd]

When your trying to catch finicky fish like Black Bream its not a bad this with the bail arm doing it as your only pulling line and lure when you want. If your trying to float a lure down and you happy with how the line is laying, you dont want to be pulling in any more.

[@marcelchaloupka]

Just use it, it will loosen up and move more freely as you use it

[@Tightt88]

What I hate about Shimano is that for a $100 you don’t even get a thick bail wire or aluminum body. Lew’s, Quantum and PFlueger you get thick bail wires and aluminum bodies. The only saving grace of Shimano is that their drag systems sound soooo good but Lew’s drag systems also sound good. PFlueger and Quantum need to catch up in that department.

[@leewgh45]

Wish I saw this video before I ordered both the 500 Nasci and new 500sz Sahara....both are nothing but paper weights so much inertia my cheap Sienna 500 is WAY smoother Shimano should apologize for selling both these reels for $100+.

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

I know right. It’s a shame because they are so well built. Like you say though they aren’t much use as finesse reels. I might keep the Nasci for trout fishing though as it is super smooth.

[@lolthekidison]

Mines trash aswell.

[@reyjohn8426]

Why your nasci have a metal clicker?

[@fazlyfaz0404]

Made in japan I guess. The other one that made in malaysia have plastic clicker

[@DanielLimbirdman]

Shimano 500 size reel has metal clicker. 1000 and beyond is plastic.

[@DanielLimbirdman]

i meant the typical midsize up to 5000 uses plastic.

[@aarahuffaztaha4421]

Yup all the 500 has metal clicker gear. Except those on mid/higher end 500 eg. vanford & soare, has plastic clicker gear.

[@wanzhaf932]

go fish more...i have one in 500 size....i get angry at first wtf shimano feel like abu...after 20 to 30 cast and retrieve...the smoothness come finally from heaven...shimano new factory smoothness only come in stradic tier and above...

[@-ja-8138]

Strange mumbling, thank god, there is no music to ruin the rest of the mumbling.