The ABU Garcia Ambassadeur 7000i C3 reel
By Rune | September 18th, 2009 | Category: Reviews | 7 comments
See also: Hunting down the Ambassadeur 7000
I was looking for a new and heavier reel for my shore bait fishing. Already owning a near vintage Ambassadeur 6500 CS Rocket, the choice of another Ambassadeur for my surf rod was pretty much self evident. And it would have to be a 7000 size.
But the choice of models was mind blowing. And not made better when in every online discussion forum, the Chinese made reels from Ambassadeur was blown off as inferior to the “Swedish made” models.
But my budget was very limited. So it would be a question of getting what I can get for my money. And I found some very good offers on both the 7000i Pro Rocket, and the 7000i C3. Continuing my research I found that the two reels are virtually identical, with only cosmetic differences…it was the cosmetics that decided for me. A week or so later my 7000i C3 multiplier reel arrived in the mail.
The specs for this reel should allone blow the “Made in China” sceptics out of the water:
- chemical nickel-coated level wind
- aluminum spool
- Carbon Matrix Drag™
- 2+1 stainless steel bearing system with instant anti-reverse
- 4-pin centrifugal brake
- Power handle
- Bite clicker
And when I can’t find a single negative comment on this reel, other than that it’s made in China. Well, then it was not so hard to dismiss it all.
But one thing is to read about it. Another is to get it home and hold it in my hand. Never having owned such a reel it was massive. Well, with my lady hands it looks ridiculous. Just look at that picture. But the reel itself is a pice of jewelry.
But this was not jewelry. The plan is to use it trough an arctic winter. So off I went to one of my favourite marks around my hometown to test my new purchase.
I was soon baited up and ready to cast. Adjusting the mechanical spool brake was a breeze. Just open the spool release lever, and yes it’s a lever, and let the tackle fall while turning the adjustment know until it almost stops. Ready to cast. Easy, and exactly the same system as on my 15 year old Ambassadeur 6500 CS Rocket reel.
Then it was simply a question of casting out, set the clicker, and wait for the fish to bite. 5 minutes later and RRRR…RR…RRRRR. I grab the rod and start reeling in. A breeze with the power handle. And what I hauled in was a smallish coddling of about 1 kilo. Not much of a fish, but the reel had seen it’s baptizing.
All in all I have just logged 3 fishing trips on this reel. But I am increasingly more impressed with it. The drag performs flawlessly. The 4 pin centrifugal brake is definitely doing it’s job of preventing the worst of the birds nests. And best of all…it still looks like a piece of jewelery it did when it came out of the box.
I will be back with more on this reel in my regulars fishing reports.
Thats’ it
Rune
Rune, How do you still feel about these reels after a bit more time to play around with them. I am looking to buy a pair; have owned and loved 6500 C3s in the past, but need the bigger 7000s for rough ground fishing. cheer Paul
Well,
My confidence in it was a bit diminished once I stripped it down for it’s first cleanup. That said, I think it’s good value for money, and I have not had anything go mechanically wrong with it. It is still performing as out of the box. And I have even used it as a boat reel, but with my bad fishing luck combined with little time to fish, I have not had the chance to test it beyond winching up a 6 kilo cod…
The ground I fish is also very rough, and I’d say it handles it quite well. As for casting ability…I s…. at it, so can’t really give an educated oppinion.
Conclusion…it’s a reel that does what I purchased it to do. If it will perform for you, I would not have a clue.
Thanks Rune, Ive heard some good overall feedback, nothing ecstatic, but sound, no reels are perfect i suppose and i dont need it as a casting tool – 80-100yds max on rough and mixed ground. I need the level wind as i’m crap at creating a smooth spool without. The ratio seems a bit poor compared with others, but i know i can upgrade to 5:3:1 by obtaining the 7000i CS Rocket gears if i’m not happy with the retrieve speed. Just picked up two reels for £160, Bargain? I hope to be happy after i have got used to right hand wind.
cheers Paul
The reel is now starting to show it’s quallity. Or should I say lack of quality. I still use it, and it is usable, but I am now looking for a replacement, and it has really not seen that much use. Yet it is crumbling apart in a way that my Swedish made, Ambassadeur CS 6500 rocket is not even close to. And that is a 15 year old reel, still going like the day it was new.
I am now looking for an old “made in Sweden” reel to replace the 7000I C3 one. But it irritates me that the nay-sayers on this one turns out to be right….
Same here. Bought one of the first Chinese ones in 2006. Thought they might have improved by now..
Felt really good in the beginning. Best fish was a 2ft yellofin tuna trolling. Did cast nice as well. Then broke down and had to go back to the shops twice. Third time it failed was on a boat (levelwind guide slipped out of it’s rail). Thank god a Spanish Mackeral ripped it out of my hands 20 minutes later but I lost a good rod that day. Get an old Swedish one on eBay. Love them. Need to be cleaned regularly but will last forever. Just replace worn components like levelwind pawl, wormgear, dragwashers and perhaps bushes/bearings with aftermarket parts.
Also: doesnt have to have bearings. just a red 7000 will do..
Mine do have bearings. Perhaps thats the “improvement” they have made.
Else thanks for the comment