GLoomis rod weights, what gives?

[Rapaleye]

OK, I am about to admit that I have an anal retentive problem. Yes my tackle box is organized by crankbait depth. But here is my current dilema.
I went out and bought my first G Loomis rod (based on feedback from this board) It is a SJR721 IMX . The rod looks great but to me felt a little heavier than one of my St. Croix rods. I happen to own an electronic scale from days when I used to reload shells. That scale says the rod weighs 3.75 oz. The Loomis Catalog says it should weigh 2.85 oz. I expect that there would be variability but the GL2 rod of the same model is only supposed to weigh 3.25 oz.
Are the rod weights in the catalog supposed to be weights for the blank only? Or is Loomis trying to pull a fast one here?
I know this board will have the answer, thanks in advance.
Jim

[WAeyes]

I would try it on another scale before jumping to conclusions. Not to say yours isn't accurate but just as a double check on things. Maybe your local post office will weigh it for you. I can't imagine a company with the reputation of G-Loomis trying to get away with something like that.

[Rapaleye]

WAeyes, that was my first thought too. But I checked my scale accuracy by weighing a calibration weight that came with it. It is accurate to +/- .01 oz. The St. Croix rod I have weighs exactly what the St. Croix catalog says for its rod weight.
Still stumped
Jim

[WAeyes]

Me too.

[REW]

If yours a standard factory rod??
Are you sure that you don't have a mis marked GL2 - blank?

If you check a couple of other blanks - that you are absolutely sure are IMX blanks - do they have the same action??

The weight that you quoted at the weight of the rod - listed in the GLoomis catalog - is the correct weight of the rod.

Is there a chance that a rod balancing weight has been added to the rod?

All of these are variables and are possibilities.

In general - if you comapre the bare blank of a G Loomis IMX blank - will be a bit less than the similar weight of a Premier St. Croix blank and about the same weight as a St. Croix Avid blank.

The imx blank is a bit heavier than a Legend St. Croix blank or a G Loomis GLX blank.

Now if you put different guides, different handles, different length handles - different kinds of tips on these blanks - add balancing kits to the blanks - then the weights can vary greatly.

Take care
REW

[Rapaleye]

REW, I was hoping you would join this thread.
This is a production rod not just the blank. It is a Loomis production rod straight off the rack at Cableas. It says right on the rod SJR721 IMX. That is why I can't figure out why it weighs 3.75 oz. Do you think I got a factory second somehow?
I e-mailed Loomis tonight and will see how they answer the question. I hope they haven't thickened up the rods in hopes of preventing breakage but forgot to change the catalog.
Jim

PS. I did check and the rod doesn't have a balancing kit that I can see, unless it is glued under the but cap. Would they come that way straight off the rack?

[REW]

I just went over to the St. Croix web page and picked up a few weights.
Typically the 6-m avid blank = 1.45 oz - rod weighs - 3.5 oz
6'3"mxf blank = 1.5 oz = rod weighs - 3.55 oz
6'6" mf blank = 1.75 oz - rod weighs - 3.8 oz.

6'm - Legend elite - blank = 1.15 oz - rod = 2.75 oz
6'6" - Legend elite - blank = 1.2 oz - rod = 3.75 oz
6'3" - Legend elite blamk = 1.2 oz - rod = 3.1 oz.

You have indicated that your IMX sjrod weighs 3.75 oz.
Based on my experience on the Loomis rods and blanks - and the fact that they normally weigh in a bit between the St. Croix Avid and Legend blanks would tend to imply that the blank itself should weigh about - 1.3 oz.
Depending on components - as you can see from the ratios of the avid blanks, which use slightly heavier components - compared to the Legend components which use the silicon carbide components that are a bit lighter - you gain between 1.6 and and 2 ozs.

Lets supposed that your actual IMX blank weigh in at 1.3 oz, then if we split the difference and say that the handle and components on the GLoomis built up rod weigh in at 1.75 oz - that will make the completed rod weigh in at 3.05 oz. That is roughly 3/4 of an oz lighter than your measured weight.

It is possible that you might simply have gotten one of the factory variations as far as well thickness in the blank - a slightly heavier build up in either the handle lay up - a bit of extra epoxy lodged somewhere in the blank ???

I do have to agree with your measurements - and It seems reasonable that you have an accurate scale - that you have a rod that is about 3/4 oz heavier than it should be.

--
Now - lets go fishing - put on your "standard" 8-12 oz reel - that you will probably be using - do you really think that you will actually feel the difference in this 3/4 oz - in a days fishing - with the weight of the 8-12 oz reel on top of the rod in your hand all day??

I doubt it. You have a spectacular rod - that in this form and custom form has caught literally thousands of walleys in waters from over the world since its inception. Enjoy this great rod, and catch a bunch of Walleyes.

p.s.
It might be interesting to go to the store with your scale - and weigh a dozen different rods of the same model - and see if you find any manufacturing weight variations. If you don't - and if you can happen to measure a couple models that might be carry over from a year or so ago - it would be interesting to see if there has been any process changes which would result in any weight difference.


At any rate - you have a super rod - enjoy it.

Take care
REW

[Rapaleye]

Thanks for all the info REW. I agree with you and I am sure it will be a great rod. It balances perfectly with my Diawa Emblem reel. What I was most concerned with was whether Loomis has thickened the blanks and thereby lowered the sensitivity. I hope not. Quite possibly they have found that the rods are so light that they are difficult to balance and they just made the handle section a little heavier. When the water opens up I will get the chance to put it to the test.
I don't think I have the guts to walk into Cabelas with my electronic balance and start weighing rods, although it would be an interesting test.
Lets hope for open water soon.

[Jawjerker]

What difference does it make? can you "feel" the difference from one weight to the other?????????

[Otter]

I don't have a 2002 GLoomis catalog (reduces the temptation), but in my 2001 catalog an SJR 721 IMX is listed at 3.82 ounces, which would approximate what you have. Even the GLX is listed higher than 2.85 (3.28 ounces). After you have heard from GLoomis and this is resolved, please post, as I am sure a lot of us are interested.

[Rapaleye]

Otter, that is some good information. I was going from the information in the 2000 catalog. I also went to their web site and in both those spots the SJR721 IMX is 2.85 oz. If the 2001 catalog lists it as 3.85 oz., I wonder where the extra oz. came from. The handle style didn't change. I did talk to someone at Loomis today. He said he would check all 4 models of the 721 (GL2, GL3, IMX and GLX) to see what the average weights are.
Jaw jerker, I don't want to sound like I am not grateful for having such a nice rod, it is just that I bought it because the IMX rods are known to have very light, sensitive blanks. If Loomis has thickened up the blanks I might have chosen to go with the St. Croix. I have to admit when I was at Cabelas I didn't spend any time comparing the GL2,3 because I had already decided to buy an IMX.
I'll let you know what I hear from Loomis.

[sensitive guy]

Not sure about others, but I have both top of the line, and middle of the road Loomis AND St. Croix rods and have used the same reels on all. I, for one, can definately tell the difference. My Avid rods, as nice as they are, are not in the same league as my GLX, IMX, or Elite rods. I will say this however. I think rod balancing is the huge difference in the feel of a rod/reel combo overall. A middle of the road rod can feel just as comfortable as a higher end rod when balanced out correctly. At the end of a long day on the water my wrists and forearms don't lie.......

[Otter]

Rapalaeye,
I went to the GLoomis site, and it had 2.85 oz. for the SJR 721IMX, as you indicated. I wonder how my 2001 catalog (page 64 if anyone wants to check me) had 3.82 oz. Obviously something is amuck somewhere.
Otter