New St. Croix Avid Spinning Reels

Has anyone had the opportunity to try out one of the new St. Croix avid spinning reels? If so, what were your impressions?

[OOC]

Actually,they've been around for three or four years.I've been told that they are the same reel as the Diawa Capricorn without the airbail.I am constantly looking for reels in a 1500-2000 class that fit my requires.For me,regardless of price or brandname, a reel must be relatively light,have a large diameter spool,smooth gearing and no wobble in the bail head.The Avid 1500&2000 series fill those qualifications.I purchased one when first came out.I now have five or six.I like to keep feels uniform for line/spool change purposes.So far,I've had no problems.I keep looking at new reels and have found none I like better.

Thanks for the reply. Have you ever used the capricorn with the air bail? If so how does the avid bail compare with the air bail? Also are the spools for the avid 1500 and 2000 interchangeable? I heard they were basically the same reel except for the spool capacity - could you put a 2000 spool on a 1500 if you wanted more line capacity at some point?

Thanks for the reply. Have you ever used the capricorn with the air bail? If so how does the avid bail compare with the air bail? Also are the spools for the avid 1500 and 2000 interchangeable? I heard they were basically the same reel except for the spool capacity - could you put a 2000 spool on a 1500 if you wanted more line capacity at some point?

I have interchanged the spools with no problem.I originally bought the Capricorn but the Airbail rapped my knuckles upon retrieve.Ed Shirley's Sports in the Chicago area let me exchange it on the Avid.I have seen the Capricorns on closeout as they have been replaced by the Theory,I believe.Cabelas' Prodigy is the same real and I have seen it at closeout prices as well.