Piscifun Carbon X Spinning Reels, Light to 5.1oz, Carbon Frame and Rotor, 33LBs Max Drag, 10+1 Shielded BB, 5.2:1/6.2:1 High Speed Gear Ratio, Smooth Powerful Saltwater Freshwater Spinning Reel

Take Home Point: Best of the budget/affordable reels from the online fishing companies (E.G. Kastking, Picifun, etc.).Extremely light weight relatively to size, strong carbon fiber/aluminum design, and solid performance for most people’s needs.BUT really not much internal difference compared to the $30-$60 reels with marginal benefits.Long Review:I received this reel and initially loved it so much that I went and ordered another one. However after using the reel a second time, I decided to return the second unopened one because while I do believe that the Picifun Carbon X is currently the best reel from the budget/affordable online fishing companies; there is not enough benefits compared to the $30-60 reels to justify buying another one. But on the positive notes first.1. Lightweight: because of the carbon fiber on the neck, body, and rotor of the reel, the 4000 size is incredibly light and strong. The aluminum spool is also designed to minimize the amount of aluminum used and thus the weight. I would highly recommend the reel for the anglers constantly casting.2. Smooth: Working the reel feels smooth and solid. I did not feel any slippage or straining in the gear system when reeling, but I cannot say that for larger fish (60+ lbs). Furthermore, as you can see in the pics, the internal is as described with a high gearing ratio plus brass pinion. Nothing seems flimsy or plastic in the internals.3. Gearing and retrieval: Gear ratio simply means that for 1 turn of the handle, the rotor spins x times. In this case, the rotor spins ~6 times for every turn. This is important because when you need to reel in a fish quickly, for example, away from rocks and obstacles, you want speed. Also important for lures since faster retrieval means your lure can spend more time at the top if it’s going fast.4. Screw in handle: both convenient and annoying. Being able to remove and attach the handle simply by spinning the handle is super nice for storing and transporting the reel. However, if you are fighting fish, one might occasionally and accidentally spin the reel in the other direction. This loosens the handle which is annoying in the middle of the action.5. “Sealed” drag system: There is indeed a rubber seal in the reel cap so that less water gets into the top of the drag system. BUT, the entire bottom of the spool and drag washers are quite exposed to water especially if you fish the surf and occasionally dunk the reel. So I don’t quite get what the big deal is given that water will eventually go from the bottom of the drag washers to the top.The drag washers are large carbon fiber ones, and the sound of the drag clicking is also quite nice. Not annoying or uneven.As to the main negative that made me return the extra reelNot really significant improvements for most people to justify the $80 Carbon X over the cheaper Picifun Honor XT or Viper II:The internals of this reel is not that different from the $40 Picifun Viper II. This does makes servicing the reel super easy. But that also means the main function of the reel (to retrieve line) is comparably the same across the fishing reel line up.I would be more excited if Picifun took the external design and applied to a better internal system even if it was more expensive. Two most desired improvements would beA. they could better seal the reel for surf fisherman to prevent sand and saltwater buildup inside the reel.B. Add carbon fiber to the internals and replace the remaining plastic and salt susceptible brass and steel.

Excellent reel especially for the price. Very smooth and sturdy under load.

Spooled with 8 pound mono this reel is a beast. Silky smooth and geared to take on any river fish in my area. Im beginning to see that this reel is trustworthy. The finish is clean and I have no regrets. Already taken down some chunky river carp upto 8 pounds without any complaints from the performance of my reel. I like it and hope it holds up as long as my penn battle 4000.

It was a great quality product, with a light weight design, and great aesthetic, but comparing this to a kastking Spartacus, I don’t see the reason to spend more on this reel.

Light weight and smooth. I cant complain so far, but ive only used them for light line trout fishing so theres not much of a durability test to report. The drag is smooth through the light settings and i have not had any problems. Its worth getting on sale

Works awesome. Smooth and durable

Best reels for the price!! Butter drag with a smooth reel!

I would like to inform Piscifun and other fishermen of my experience with P carbon x 4000. Arrived fast, very light and smooth. The real issue happened when I hook my first fish (drift boat in South FL); immediately after few cranks started to 'skip' the gear and as you are turning the knob it was making a 'broken down cranking noise'; it didn't engage the drag although it was calibrated to do so. We were going for yellow tails and my other set up had penn 4500 so I had to switch to that one. I am REPLACING this unit through Amazon and will give piscifun another try b/c I want to believe it was just a faulty unit. I am using shimano stradic and penn regulary, daiwa bg for heavier setup and this is my first venture outside the 'brand' name reels. Will be happy to update this posting after the second one arrive and we test it little bit more. I do like the enormous drag but it has to perform all around....will keep this post open.8/6/19Updated post.Received the new reel and so far it has been much better than the first one. I did try to use artificial bate in the Golf side FL without luck, the line (Suffix / ghost 25 lb) keep on getting tangled at casting light 1/4 oz lure and it was frustrating. Will not be using it for casting, for that purpose I'm using a smooth Shimano. Will test the reel this week again, live bait deep-sea fishing and update on the drag.UPDATE: 8/17/19Same issue as the first reel. The gear slips and makes a grinding noise. I lost my fish but I'm also returning the reel.I wanted to like this reel and give Piscifun another try and it didn't work. The reel looks great but the performance is poor. Would not recommend due to reliability and performance issues.