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Travel Rod Test

Manufacturer: Snowbee
Model: Diamond II
No of sections: 4
Length: 9'
Line weight: 6/7
Price: £97

Description

Matt black blank with black wraps and oversize American snake guides and tip over butt ferrules. Positive black anodised reel seat. Supplied in nylon rod sack. Five year guarantee, unconditional for the first year against manufacturing faults plus warranty against accidental damage and for years two to five there is an unconditional guarantee against breakage or accidental damage.

Testers' comments

Peter Sutton: This was the cheapest rod we had on test and it certainly showed in the build quality and finish which I felt was very poor. The wraps were huge blobby things and whilst the snake rings were huge throughout the stripping ring was tiny. Whether a rod is low, medium or high priced the most important component is the blank on which it is built and in my opinion the blank used in this rod falls some way short of what I expect even given the rod's low price.

The blank lacked power, didn't give much line speed and would not throw tight enough loops. As a result line shooting ability and overall performance suffered.

I have to say that I did not like this rod, although its low price may well make it attractive to a beginner and a beginner may well find it's performance quite acceptable.

Terry Lawton: I though that this rod had quite a nice feel for an inexpensive rod. It was a good roll caster as well as for long casts. It certainly felt heavy in the hand and even though it shakes a bit when casting, I found that its accuracy was quite good. Fair value for money and ideal for someone who thinks that he will use a travel rod only occasionally.

Summary

Ideal for the angler who will use a travel only occasionally. 6/10

The rods

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