I did a search but didn’t see much out there. Any thoughts in using crb ssr spinning guides and tip tops? I have used the lzr’s before and was happy with them but see the ssr’s are less expensive. Curious on the quality on both the guides and tip tops?
Thanks,
Dave

I just got a set (haven't built the rod yet) and they are perfectly fine. I'm not generally a fan of guides without ceramic rings, but I got this set for a specific reason (fishing below freezing) and I think they will do great. Quality is more than acceptable at their price point. They are cheap enough that the best way to find out if they will work for you is just to buy a set.

The CRB SSR guides are very similar to the PacBay Minima guides, American Tackle Air guides and SeaGuide stainless steel ring guides. They do not have ceramic ring inserts, instead they have a hard chrome plated stainless steel ring, which can be PVD coated. They are lighter than ceramic ring guides and are suitable for lighter powered rods. Nothing wrong with them and they have become very popular with people wanting very light guides. The guides themselves wear very well, the only problem might be with the tip tops which may groove after being used for a long time. To avoid this problem a ceramic tip top can be used to prevent grooving.
Norm

I purchased a set of SSR guides to try out. When comparing them with the Pac bay minima I find the ring flange on the SSR is slightly larger and the swage against the ring doesn't seem as compressed as the minima, also the foot of the SSR is a little shorter. But none of these observations are a deal breaker. The SSR'S are clean and I have every reason that the SSR is a good quality guide.

Thanks for the replies. I will probably use them on the build but will swap out the tip top to a ceramic top.

Unless you are using a really inexpensive blank and other components, the relative savings in going down from the LZR’s isn’t that much as LZR’s are priced pretty well. A terrible building mistake is to save only a little of the build cost and end up with a rod that is much less as a whole. I try to match performance throughout every piece I select for a build.

I do like the LZR’s but supply is limited and backorder has been moved to mid November and who knows if they will be in at that time. I guess I should start keeping them in stock but I don’t do a lot of builds and usually order the guides as needed with the other components.

I usually use Minima guides but I bought a set of the SSRs to try. I mixed them on a rod I built and it looks strange. I've grooved several Minima tip tops so I use ceramic now also.