I've build nearly all of my rods with Struble reel seats and I like them very much and they fit very good to most reel feet.
On the Batson website I´ve seen the Forecast nickel silver reel seats BNS101 and BNS102. They looks nice. Are these reel seats the same good quality like the Strubles? Are they an alternative e.g. for Struble U8? Does they fit to most reel feet, especially Loop reels? Any pro´s and con´s?
Stefan

I don't think so. I put REC, Struble, Bellinger, and Venerri one or two steps up on the quality ladder. Forecast, Pac Bay are pretty well grouped together. Their materials, finish, and wood just don't hold up to the above. You get what you pay for.

i have not built any fly rods yet...i have built around 10 bass rods with forecast reel seats both
casting & spinning...everything i have used from forecast is top quality...i have used forecast
guides on several rods...i am very pleased with forecast products...just my two cents worth...
good luck on your build bryan...

My experience with Forecast reel seats has all been good. I have yet to find a reel among my collection that won't fit. While I respect Spencer's judgement, I don't agree that REC, Struble, etc are better. The fit and finish on every Forecast reel seat I've purchased has been first class. I personally think the aforementioned companies charge way too much for what you get. I have a Sage rod that I built with a Struble reel seat and it doesn't look a bit better than any of the Forecast reel seats I have on other rods.

I agree with Gerry, the Forecast reelseats are right up there with other manufacturers in terms of quality and value. The BNS101and BNS102 with stabilized cherry burl, and the BUL5SKC-LTC hardware with stabilized maple burl or stabilized box elder burl inserts are spectacular-looking reelseats that will compiment any flyrod blank.

I do not agree that you get what you pay for. Batson enterprises has put forth a huge effort to put out a great product at an affordable price. I purchased a struble seat for a customer. At that time I ordered a couple of forecast reel seats with stabalized Cherry. I will never purchase Struble again. IMO you are paying for the name and they are way over priced for what you are getting. The woods are just as good or better.

David Banaka