I know that I’m not the only one doing this, so……
Of the spinning rods that I’ve built using Microwave Nonolite Guides (both black and chrome frames), I used Fuji’s smaller/lighter (3.5 mm) running guides. The ring colors of TLSGs, LSGs and BLAGs matched well enough with the Nanolite MWs, but I’m wondering about the ring color of the Duralite rings. I’m building a rod for a guy on a budget and I’m thinking about using the Duralites along with Fuji alum oxide running guides. How does the color differ on the Nanolite vs. the Durolite?

There are other guides out there Fuji is not the only one to use and may not be the Best ???

Bill - willierods.com

If he is on a budget why would you change the guides out. The #5's that come with the Microwave set perform great, there is no reason to change them out.... IMO

______________________________________
Super Tight Lines......Don

Second what don said

Mot's Custom Rods and Reels

The 5mm guides are significantly heavier than 3.5 or 4 mm(…..whether Fuji, Batson or others). Better performance can be had for just a few more bucks.
Question remains, how does the color differ on the Nanolite vs. the Durolite?

Jim,
Just out of curiosity, if you were blind folded and given two different rods, one using 4 mm guides for 6 guides and one using 5 mm guides for 6 guides;
do you really think that you would be able to tell the difference - 10 out of 10 times when handed the rods?

I suspect that you are talking about a 1-2 gram difference in total weight on the rod.

Be safe

Roger,
Not when handed the rods (statically), but when casting….Absolutely! By cutting the weight in half for the running guides (and tip top)….out toward the tip where weight is critical, I would have to be sensorially challenged not to feel the difference.

I remember many years ago ('70's) I purchased a popular "factory" rod that I really liked. I ended up ordering another of the same model and after receiving it, I noticed that it just didn't perform as well as the first one and felt “sluggish”. I noticed the manufacturer had switched from 6mm to 8mm for the last three guides and tip-top, and I couldn't believe that alone could account for the difference. I finally stripped off the 8mm guides and replaced with 6's. Much to my surprise, it performed much the same as the first rod that I liked so much. Granted, back then, guides were generally heavier, but rods were much heavier also, so the percent of mass was probably similar to a guide/rod weight differential of today's rods.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2013 12:38PM by jim spooner.