Banax Kaigen 1000
Component Comparisons
Thanks to James Shaw for providing this information.
We here at Roy's Electric Reels don't love this reel because we sell it, we love it because we Fish it. Check this out and you will understand why trip after trip the Banax was the right choice for us.
Captain Roy
Bearing Design
Reel manufacturers always brag about number of bearings in a reel.
Size matters. Strength of a bearing is determined by the contact area
of the raceways and rolling elements (balls). This relationship is not
linear, it is exponential.
The difference in the size of the bearings is staggering. The smallest bearing on the Banax reel is larger than the largest bearing on the competition’s reel.
Want some math?
Data entered to the SKF bearing life calculator...
- Large bearings expected life based on same loads and speeds:
•Banax – 5800 hours
•Competition – 85 hours
- Small bearings expected life based on same loads and speeds:
•Banax – 4260 hours
•Competition – 380 Hours
Competition
Drag Design
The carbon fiber gives a much smoother pull, helping to dampen the hard runs a fish can produce. The drag washers on electric reels in this class are typically retained by "ears" on the drag assembly end plates.
- Banax uses 4 points of engagement.
- The competition uses only 2, much smaller, points of engagement.
Both reels show approximately the same max drag rating on the box.
- Banax uses carbon fiber drag discs, 6 of them. Their combined
surface area is 3294 sq. mm.
- The competition uses MUCH smaller composite washers, 5 of them,
totaling 1400 sq. mm of surface area
Competition
4 points on end plates
2 points on end plates
Competition
Main Gear Design
Banax gearing is really impressive for a reel in this price range
- The face width of the main gear from Banax is 8.5 mm.
- Competition uses a 4.7 mm gear width, 45% narrower.
Banax gearing uses helical angles. This ensures more tooth contact
(strength), smoother operation, and less noise.
Competition
Pinion Design
Banax understands strength.
- Banax utilizes a female receptacle for engagement, interfacing with a steel male extension.
- Competitor does the opposite.
This allows the brass pinion to have a much stronger interface, much less susceptible to wear and breakage.
Competition
If you look closely, you can already see the wear on the right
edge of the competitors pinion male engagement point, the
Banax shows none.
The steel interface is beveled on both reels for easier pinion
engagement and should not be confused for wear.
Competition
Spool Design
The larger spool of the Banax ensures rapid retrieval of tackle from depths. As more line goes out, the spool diameter shrinks, less line is retrieved per revolution. The change in speed on the competitors reel is far more significant as the spool empties.
Much larger diameter spools minimize change in drag at further depths. As the outside diameter of the line on the spool decreases, the leverage against drag decreases, making the line drag increase significantly.
Example – Set drag to 20 lbs when spool is full. When 2/3 of the line is out, the effective drag increases.
- The Banax will now produce 26lbs of drag.
- The competition jumps to 37 lbs of drag.
This rapid change in drag levels could certainly impact tackle failure, creating drag levels that exceed the line rating.
- The Banax spool is 1 piece forged aluminum.
- Unknown if competitors spool is forged aluminum.
Competition
Competition
Level Wind Design
Level wind is CRITICAL to reliable operation of electric reels! Notice the dual through shafts, instead of a single saddle support.
FAR Stronger!
Banax level wind is fitted with a ceramic guide that is less likely to chafe braided line than the competitor's guide.
Competition
Input Shaft Assembly
- 25% larger main shaft on the Banax reel.
- Banax provides a tighter fit on the input bushing internal to the reel
with much more bearing area.
Competition
Competition
Motor Design
- Banax motor is sealed in a cast aluminum housing for water resistance, as well as heat dissipation.
- The Banax motor weighs 50% more.
Which looks like a better idea to you?
Competition
Motor Control
- Banax has invested in a cast aluminum housing for the drive
circuitry of the reel (pictures below).
- Finned for heat dissipation.
- Competition has motor circuitry embedded in an epoxy, not
serviceable, does not appear to dissipate heat as well.
Competition
Spool Release Mechanism
Ever notice how hard it can be to release the spool on other electric reels? (Side note: Always relieve tension on the spool prior to releasing.)
- Banax provides a rotary ramp release, offering much
greater mechanical advantage and smoother
operation (not to mention the difference in
manufacturing cost.)
- These ramps are used to raise the lifter bars,
disengaging the pinion for free spool.
- The lifter bar is far stronger / larger from Banax
Competition
Exterior Advantages
• Uses a stainless steel keeper plate on the reel nut compared to plastic cap that is easily knocked off.
• Dual position handle mount
• Longer handle for higher leverage
• Handle shaft is 25% larger diameter
• Threaded cap on speed lever vs. a plastic pry off cap
• Rubber handle vs. hard plastic
Competition
Competition
Competition
Competition
Power Cord Advantages
• Coated M/F plugs with dielectric grease
• Corrosion coatings at the junction of the power cord / alligator clips
• Strain relief at the alligator clip has far better retention of the protective boot
• Wire measures 20% thicker in diameter
• Marine grade heat shrink to isolate the interior of the cable.
• Larger diameter male plug
Competition
Thanks for your time. I hope this presentation helps with your reel shopping experience!
If you have any questions please call us and we will be glad to help.
You can reach Captain Roy at: