Penn's new sealed reel, any opinions?

[captnemo]

I like the fact they are being made in the US. I think that makes a bold statement about their committment to manufacturing here. Everything else with a Penn name on it is now being made in China.

[dogfish]

Everything else with a Penn name on it is now being made in China.

And so are the VS's for those that care.

[jigfreak]

It used to be to keep the warranty, you had to get the VS serviced at the factory. Now they sell self-service kits. I wonder if Penn will do the same or say you have to send the reels in.

[Jackbass]

And so are the VS's for those that care.

Exactly! Penn's High End American Made gear is still some of the best you can get. I hope this new line of Spinning reels does well and is well made.

[Stripercoast1]

I own a bunch of old 700 series Penns from when they were the best and one of the more expensive reels of their time. they were purchased when guys that fished for a living knew they needed the best, so they bought the best.
When they dropped the 700 series, moved production to China, I no longer recognized Penn as even a good product.
I looked at VS as a potential for ownership, then they moved production to China when they litterally sold out the company.
I own a Zee, first generation, and absolutely love it. Maybe I'm lucky or some others are unlucky, and have had NONE of the issues I have heard complaints about. I had 1 problem with it, contacted wendy, drove the hour and a half to the plant. They fixed the problem by swapping the old clutch with the new one, serviced the reel, including replacement of all the gaskets and O rings, even though it was not necessary, and walked out with all the money I walked in with. They treated Jake equally as well.
If Penn does it right, backs up the reel with customer service, and its all it says it will be, I will take a good look at it. My wife will not allow me to buy her a Zee, or even gold jewelry or diamonds, but this new Penn might be the thing for her as she gets in the water with me.
They need to get rid of that color or offer a differant, more subdued color before I would get one however, the thing looks like it belongs on a gold chain around a rappers neck.

[Jackbass]

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