DC reels are something of an anomaly in the world of casting. Fitted with an electronic chip that controls the drag, they have undergone several iterations, not all of which are equally impressive. Whilst the Antares DC 4×8, with its 32 drag settings, still holds Shimano’s distance record at 118m, Shimano has been working to simplify the use of DC reels with the I-DC+ on the Scorpion DC (the least impressive version), the I-DC4 on the Metanium DC7, the impressive I-DC+ Tune on the Exsence DC, and, in 2015, the I-DC5 on the Metanium DC.
The DC series sits at the top of the Shimano range, and the Metanium is the third most expensive reel in the Japan range, tied with the Antares 12′ and behind the Antares DC and Conquest 10′ DC
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| Model | 2015 Metanium HG |
|---|---|
| Ratio | 7.4:1 |
| Recovery | 74 cm |
| Weight | 190 g |
| Reel weight | 17g |
| Bearings | 9 S A-RB + 1 |
| Crank length | 85 mm |
| Brake | 5 kg |
| Capacity | 14lb-100m |
| Country of manufacture | Japan |
| Retail Price in Japan | 55,000 JPY (excl. VAT) |
| US retail price | ND |
| Publix France Prices | ND |
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Mechanical section
The handle is an 85mm aluminium model. The knobs are the same as those on the Conquest 14/15′ and are distinctive for being hollow.
The aluminium brake star is a Shimano classic.
The control wheel is oversized and features a micro-module design. As with the 13′ model, it is made of aluminium and weighs just 6g; a brass wheel of this size would inevitably have saved a few grams overall. The brake washers are not made of carbon, and curiously, the contact surface between part 33 and washer 123 is not very large – a double mystery…
The guide wire is very standard; it’s a shame there’s no roller or plastic bearing, which would have the advantage of being easy to replace. There’s no scope for improvement here.
Part 167 is lightweight, but unlike the Aldebaran 15', it is well-constructed and has no play.
The bare frame weighs just 25g
The spool is specially designed for DC. Weighing 17g, it offers good performance and is versatile.
And finally, the brain of the Metanium: the I-DC5 unit. Gone are the exposed copper wires of the first system; the unit is perfectly moulded with a rubber section that fits into the coil. Accessing the coil bearing is easy, as you simply need to remove the three screws and the clip.
Mechanical rating: 8.5/10 The Metanium DC is a clone of the Metanium 13'. It therefore shares the qualities of the Metanium 13' HG, as well as its little ""flaws" which, with the rising cost of DC motors, are becoming harder to justify. These include the plastic bearing, the lack of bearings on the line guide, the non-micrometric friction brake knob and the brake washers. That said, in its two years on the market, the reel has proven its worth and the DC motor is a real gem.
Ergonomics:
DCs are known for being heavy. The Metanium models keep the weight down, as they are the only ones in the range to weigh under 200g. The DC HG, at 190g, feels solid without being too heavy, even though it sits in the upper mid-range for all-round reels. On an MH rod this isn’t a problem, but on a really light M rod you start to feel it (though it’s not a major issue).
Slightly larger than an Aldebaran 51 but similar to the Chronarch Ci4+, it feels good in the hand. The new hollow handles are very similar to the Technical Grip (less bulky than the Technical Grip II), so Shimano enthusiasts will feel right at home. The 85mm handle, with its very slight offset, is comfortable in all situations, including power fishing.
The settings can be accessed very quickly and can be adjusted entirely using the scroll wheel
outdoors.
Only the line type requires the sideplate to be opened, so unless you’re switching from nylon to braided line during a fishing session, there’s no need to open the reel. The sideplate isn’t attached to the frame (due to the DC system), but the opening mechanism is secure: to operate the release button, you must first set the DC dial to ‘open’. A welcome safety feature when you consider the cost of a DC chip. Ergonomics rating: 8.5/10
Performance:
The Metanium DC has been tested on several rods:
- Duckett Micro Magic 7'9" MH Crankin
- Kistler LTX MH 7' Fast
- Deps Sidewinder Venom Fang 6'6 XF
Main text:
- YGK WX 8 PE1.2 braided line
- Nogales Dead or Alive 12lb nylon
On paper, the 15' Metanium DC is the most logical and straightforward option. You can finally adjust the line type independently – a factor that radically alters how the drag works, as the spool behaves differently depending on whether you’re using nylon, braided line or fluorocarbon. Another difference compared to previous versions is that Shimano clearly specifies the recommended range for each setting.
- 1: For large crankbaits, lipless lures and jigs weighing between 18 and 30g+.
- 2: For medium-sized lures ranging from 10 to 20g
- 3: For jerkait/minnows and shallow crankbaits weighing 8–12g.
- 4: For weightless lures, such as Senkos and small shads weighing between 5 and 8g.
- A: Automatic mode covering settings 2 to 4, i.e. the 5–20 g lure range.
The modes perform as expected and deliver excellent results. Casting distances are really good across all four specialised settings. The Automatic mode is the least impressive in terms of performance. Changing modes is so easy that it’s better to set it to one of the four optimised settings rather than mode A. During test days on Lake Salagou, where the wind was strong, it was sometimes necessary to move up a notch to avoid the line twisting, but for those familiar with the lake, this comes as no surprise given how powerful the wind can be. In standard conditions, I found myself occasionally looking for a few intermediate settings, but overall the settings do the job well. For pitching, mode 4 is recommended. With this type of cast, the reel didn’t particularly impress me. Casting: 8.5/10
The size of the drive wheel is impressive within the frame. The micro module is a fine feat of machining, and the X-Ship ensures smooth operation. I don’t have much to say on this point; it’s pleasant, although I would have preferred a ball bearing instead of the plain bearing (which, incidentally, is very difficult to access).
Sweetness: 9/10
Performance rating: 8.75/10
Conclusion:
The Metanium DC is a significant improvement on the Metanium 13'. The Digital Control system proves to be effective and very user-friendly. Just as versatile as the classic model, it offers easier and clearer adjustments than the SVS Infinity. The additional cost of 10,000 JPY corresponds to the price of the DC-equipped sideplate; the interior remains unchanged. Apart from the few details mentioned in the mechanical section, there is little to fault with the Metanium DC.
Overall rating: 8.6/10