I've always been a big fan, myself. Quality, uniqueness, function...SC checks off most of the boxes for me, but I notice that there's a love-hate kinda thing out there in the public eye.
Anyone in here NOT a fan? If so, I'd like to hear/read what you don't like about their offerings.
Interesting, can't say I've heard 'hate' with respect to their offerings. Style and aesthetics matter, of course, some look better on certain reels no different than others. Personally, I've been quite fond of their knobs myself.
For me, it is both love and hate. I love the original handles they used to make, RC-SC and RC-DC. They played well with most reels and were widely available and reasonably priced. They looked aesthetically pleasing, had that uncompromising JDM quality and functioned well. Truly an upgrade to any reel. Beautiful to behold and a joy to fish with.
I mostly hate their new stuff. The new handles just look a little too plain to my eyes. I prefer carbon handles to have some kind of design cutout from the middle. I also think the newer knobs are too big, and the knob shafts are longer than stock handles so that makes swappings knobs impossible?? Their product seems a bit too exaggerated IMO.
I do really like the pinstripe designs they offer. That is super cool!
Another product I really loved is the carbon fiber knobs they released last year. They are truly unique and perform well, my only complaint is that they lack end caps.
I only have 3 of the older handles and I will never get rid of them:
For me, it is both love and hate. I love the original handles they used to make, RC-SC and RC-DC. They played well with most reels and were widely available and reasonably priced. They looked aesthetically pleasing, had that uncompromising JDM quality and functioned well. Truly an upgrade to any reel. Beautiful to behold and a joy to fish with.
I mostly hate their new stuff. The new handles just look a little too plain to my eyes. I prefer carbon handles to have some kind of design cutout from the middle. I also think the newer knobs are too big, and the knob shafts are longer than stock handles so that makes swappings knobs impossible?? Their product seems a bit too exaggerated IMO.
I do really like the pinstripe designs they offer. That is super cool!
Another product I really loved is the carbon fiber knobs they released last year. They are truly unique and perform well, my only complaint is that they lack end caps.
I only have 3 of the older handles and I will never get rid of them:
Well said. Some beautiful builds in your lineup, brother. I will say that the handle shafts vary in length depending on the model/version, and that you can swap knobs on many of them, still. They’ve also released a R24XL knob that is now the thinnest of the carbon knob offerings. Another new for 22’ item is the use of matte finish on all the carbon knobs vs the older glossy rubberized coating. Big plus in my eyes.
I got on this train only recently. This is the ID Paradox 86045. Like the model number indicates, it's a healthy 8'6"; it has the standard carbon+rubber grips (that's no EVA); and it's the 1 plus 1/2 piece blank configuration. It's a beast. It has a surprisingly supple tip for how massive it becomes at the butt end. This thing becomes like a lead pipe near the handle. I will primarily use it to throw plugs and NLBN ('no live bait needed') paddle tails+custom jig heads as far as possible into the Gulf of Mexico. It was designed to cast from the bank onto Lake Biwa for bass. To me, it just seems like an unfair piece of artillery to bring against even the biggest of FL bass. Instead I will target snook and perhaps nuclear submarines with this beast.
It's a heavy rod. It feels just right with this old Millionaire V paperweight. I need to find the right reel for it; perhaps a 1520 Ryoga?
@polkfish1 very nice... If you go Ryoga then know 1520 capacity is exaggerated, sorry I don't have reference to actual numbers anymore. I measured accurate, no guessing, true capacity at listed diameter isn't what they tell you. If you throw braid, probably doesn't matter, if not figure I want to say 10% less? Roughly?
Don't get me wrong, love my 1520's, great user, controllable, tough, smooth, but listed capacity is not actual. The box says, or at least it used to say when first released, new version 1520 holds same length diameter as previous version 2020. It does not. Side by side the difference was undeniable.
That's a badass rod! unless you want a faster ratio and more pickup per inch, id keep the Ambassaduer on it 
