Any body else had a look at one of these?. I got mine today and am listing it on Trade-me tonight Not going to bother putting it on a rod. It is compact and has heaps of drag BUT---- Very VERY noisy, sloppy anti reverse and the two speed changeover button is just way too difficult even when you're not on a big fish. Back to the Alutecnos and Tiagras for me. I was looking forward to something different and special, Got great service from Charkbait but will be a little more wary of advertising in future. Maybe I'm being too crtical though- anybody got some other experiences with these T Rex reels?

Hi Trevor, before you give up on the reel please do take some time with her. The "noise" you mention does seem louder without line on the reel compared to a spooled reel. It does make a differnce. I think you'll also get used to the shift control quickly using your thumb to depress the shifter to change gear and index finger to bounce back up to high speed. They do feel different than an International, Tiagra, Accurate..., but they also do somethings very well in terms of freespool performance and drag potential. Further, if you have any difficulties with the piece the Avet folks are keen on making you happy. They will support you, even in New Zealand, and cover shipping if needed. They want you happy with the purchase.

While I don't own a TrX, I have several Avets and two 50's of theirs. My level of satisfaction, being impressed, grew from fishing them, especially the 50's. Put the reel on a rod and fish it, please.

Hi Mark,
It's good to have some positive response. as background: I bought this reel with a view to heading back to the west coast of the Sth Island of New Zealand to chase Northern Bluefin. Went there last year with some mates and we got spanked by the fish. I tagged a 270kg BF but we lost a couple that would have been close to 350kg. It was at the end of the season and the fish were all bulked up and getting ready to migrate - they did not want to bother wasting time with us and had a total disregard of drag at full sunset on a Tiagra 80w with strike set at 25kg. The fish didnt make long runs so capacity was not the problem. Changing quickly from low speed to high when the B***F*** decided to run straight back under the boat was a real issue.
So , all in all I don't think I'd like to listen to the avet clicking away(it arrived spooled up so the noise is already damped) for another 3hr 42 minutes and I've tried and tried with the gear change system and it just is too stiff. I bought an Alutecnos 80w recently that I can change gear with one finger and not taking my hand of the handle. That's what I was hoping for with the Avet . Never mind, I'm sure it is a fine reel that will suit somebody with different requirements to mine. I just hope I don't drop too much money in the sale. That's why I won't be putting it on a rod - It is better to give it to someone else in a pristine condition.
Thanks for your input - I look forward to doing more business with Charkbait

OK I have to confess! I was wrong about the two speed changeover - maybe it comes from being left-handed but I just couldn't get the knack of it. I gave it to a right handed mate and it is Simple and Easy, (but still noisy)