Personally, I think cheap reels are a poor value.  I like the Shimano Curado so well, that nothing else is worth looking at. They really are a great value, and will impress you a bunch...for years to come.

C&R, Steve

Hey Jim

I fish with both the Corado and the Quantum PT, they both have their strengths and weaknesses, but for the money and everyday use neither can be beat.

The basic difference in mine is a dial for setting the magnets and a flipping switch on the PT.  You take the side off the corado to set the magnets and it does not have a flipping switch.  

You can find some decent bargains on both of these reels on Ebay.  Otherwise the the retail price is usually around $100 for the PT and $125  for the corado, (app. $179 for the super free model), but like Faz says, they both can be found for less.

That being said, any of the reels in the same price range are very good these days, the competitioin is too good and none want to completely lose market share, so if you find a good deal on Abu Garcia, Pflueger or Daiwa go for it.

Also try out some of the reels any of us use at the fish-in and see what you like, it can take the guess work out.

BillB

Although I own higher-priced reels (Chronarch, for example), my bread-n-butter reel is the Abu-Garcia 4600.  It's a no-frills solid workhorse that will give you years and years of service.  It's an excellent mid-priced reel.  I think you'll find them around $65 these days.  I own 10 of 'em!

Technology has advanced to the point where most higher end reels are all gonna get the job done extremely well. Sometimes it 's just a matter of preference or name.  I personally like and own only shimano, but I have fished with others who use
ABU, Pflueger, Daiwa.  I think its about what you feel comfortable throwing and how much it costs.  I will have for sale two Curados SF's that are used but recently gone through and lubed with rocket fuel for about half the price of a new ones.  I have found thru researching different internet sites and local store sales or discounts that you can save about 25% to 50% on tackle purchases.  They may not be brand new but usually you can find them in pretty good shape.  For example the Sport's Authority just ran a 25% off anything in the store coupon for President's day weekend.  Anyway just a couple ideas and if your interested in the SF's let me know.

Thanks guys
and I will be hitting you guys up to have a look at those reels at the fish-in

Jim