Orvis CFO DISC

Review Date
September 22, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Anonymous User(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year , from Springfield

Summary:
In purchased one two CFO IIID's when they were first introduced many years ago. The reels that I have are the ones that have serial number on them (I think they numbered the first 2000 made).

Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the reel. It is smooth and does what it is supposed to fairly well. Since it is made by Hardy in England, it's fit and finish is pretty good for the most part. One problem that keeps on occuring with my reel is that the spring on the pawl keeps on breaking. If you've ever seen the little spring, the little copper leaf is really suspect.

Only reason I won't give this reel a 3 is that Orvis has been more than happy to replace the broken parts at no charge. I've had the spring replaced 4 times since I've had the reel (this is not my primary reel for my 4 wt. rod) and the last time I lost the pawl when the spring broke off. Orvis replaced them at no charge. I'm giving a 4 because a reel in this price range should be almost bullet proof.

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
Pawl spring.

Customer Service:
Very good.

Similar Products Used:
Abel 0, J. Ryal Jr, Loop, Orvis CFO 3 standard, and many others.

Review Date
August 6, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Anonymous User(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year , from South Hill, VA, USA

Summary:
Good reel for small, not-fast-running, saltwater fish < 20 lbs. Nice price for limited use range. Look out if a bigger and/or faster running fish hits (eg, large blue, permit, amberjack, false albie, mahimahi)...drag system craps out (but can be reset by dismantling reel).

Strengths:
CFO V Saltwater: Handles small to medium (up to 20 lbs) size fish well. Easy to setup, switch spools, etc. Well made, rugged, doesn't foul line. Nice finish.

Weaknesses:
Cannot handle fast running or heavy (>20 lb) fish. If fish suddenly runs then prawl flips out leaving no drag. Had to palm the reel to control fish.

Customer Service:
Haven't used.

Similar Products Used:
Abel, STH, Billy Pate, Battenkill, Vector, Penn

Review Date
March 23, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Tyson K(Unregistered User) ,  40 days a year

Summary:
A good, quality reel that I find a joy to use. Maybe not the best reel for 7x presentations, but I've never been able to blame the reel for a break-off!

Strengths:
This is a beautiful, light real. I like it's low start-up inertia if desired, and it balances beautiful on my Orvis 3-weight

Weaknesses:
It does scratch easy, and I find it hard to adjust very fine amounts at the lower end of the drag settings. (This isn't usually a problem since it's stream rod/reel for me, and I almost always use the same tippet and leave the drag set once it's adjusted.)

Customer Service:
No experience, but ordering was fine.

Similar Products Used:
None in this class

Review Date
March 10, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Andy(Unregistered User) ,  40 days a year

Body of Water:
Great Lakes Tributaries --

Summary:
I like this reel. It is a good, functional piece of fishing gear that also looks great. It's not for you if you like to toss your gear around. It will scratch.

Strengths:
I found the CFO 123 to be an excellant reel for eastern trout fishing. It is lightweight, reliable drag and has a classy look.

Weaknesses:
The finish is a little weak. It scratched easily without a major drop.

Customer Service:
The screw holding the drag knob is threaded opposite to normal screws. I broke the screw while trying to disassemble the reel for cleaning. Orvis fixed it without any charge.

Similar Products Used:
Battenkill 5/6, Pflueger Medalist

Review Date
March 5, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Adam Vigil(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year

Body of Water:
Eastern Sierras --

Favorite City:
Mammoth

Favorite State:
CA

Favorite Country:
 USA

Summary:
This is the reel to have if you want a classical look and feel with your best trout rod. If you are rock hopping when you fish, choose another reel. This one doesnt take accidents well. If you want a truly classical set up and want the top performing reel for trout, this is it.

Strengths:
Traditional style and very light weight. It is the epitome of the classic trout reel.

Weaknesses:
Not a strong reel and its finish scratches easier then other reels.

Customer Service:
Orvis is top notch.

Similar Products Used:
I own many reels of different manufactures. This is the reel that is perfect on my Winston rod.