MONOSTRETCHO, who said I was talking about you ?
(not only me mate all ausfishers who buy top end gear)
If you know where you stand on the issue why be so defensive ?
(because you are starting to s#@t me )
Anyway, my point is price does not mean perfection.
Also If we are talking stand up, (8kg - 12kg of drag absolute max)
You don't need to spend a $1000 to get to that.
If you're talking chairs and harnesses, yes you need to spend the money, even the 30,50,80,130W copies are expensive (same factory price as brand names)
But if someone can sell a copy for $350 and make a living, then $1800 is too much, the components come from the same factories (fact)
As far as (alot of stuff being made in the same factories) I know it's true.
Ask yourself how come I can sell a BayPac rod for $300 with $600 of components on it ? and make a living.
((i can buy aftco rollers, aftco alloy uni butt , calstar blank all the threads and hypalon to build the best 24kg rod for $600 all top end gear , your telling porkies arnt you)))
The wholesale price of 2 Baypac butts is more than the cost of my whole rod, from the top 4 rod manufacturers, who incidently make brand rods that are also top shelf price, and I can sell uglystics for $10 and make a living, from the same factory.
I think the point of the original question is Does el-cheapo do the job ?
For 8kg of drag required for stand up (YES)
For stand up rods (YES) as any rod can be broken no matter what price.
Is a Copy Penn international the same quality as a Penn international (YES) they use the same components, and are assembled by the same labourers.
Is a single brand name bent butt on it's own worth $300 (NO)
Is a rod with a blank from the same factory as Shimano or alot of other brands with a lesser known name with $600 (perceived components on it) worth $300
Of course it is.
So is it possible to spend alot less and still have quality, of course it is.
Is it possible to spend less and buy crap, of course it is.
((finaly some truth))
Should you speak without knowledge, No you shouldn't.