DAIWA LEGALIS is one of global-standard spinning reel from DAIWA that is sold worldwide, and one of most-selling DAIWA product.
And now, new 23 LEGALIS is announced with new, exciting feature AIRDRIVE Design!
Let’s dig in all information together.
AIRDRIVE DESIGN
You may already know this – this new AIRDRIVE Design is firstly featured to 22 EXIST last year, and it’s been featured into new model 23 AIRITY, 23 TATULA and 23 SALTIGA since then. And now a lot more reels are based on this!
AIRDRIVE Design is to target light and smooth spinning with good enough durability for DAIWA spinning reels with 4 different technologies, and 23 LEGALIS has two of them as below.
AIRDRIVE ROTOR
This is the renewed AIR ROTOR, which is smoother and lighter, new round shape rotor.
As we’ve already experienced by those products above, this really is light and smooth in reeling.
The biggest shock we had was actually from 23 SALTIGA.
The model we are under reviewing is #6000-H, which is middle saltwater heavy duty spinning reel, however the spinning is incredibly light, one of my staff actually said it is even lighter than small spinning reel model – 22 STELLA!
That’s really surprising because 23 SALTIGA AIRDRIVE ROTOR is made by aluminium, the metal heavier than ZAION rotor of course. But the saltwater model can be lighter than light and small spinning reel…!
From the catalogue, 23 LEGALIS rotor is made by ZAION V, which is not as hard as ZAION or other metals, but I would say it’s good enough already.
AIRDRIVE BAIL
This AIRDRIVE Bail is advanced feature of Air Bail, that is much thinner tubular bail with new better angle to lead the line to the line roller much easier and quicker.
This also makes the rotor even lighter to boost up its lightness of spinning.
ZAION-V for the Body and Rotor
ZAION-V, (V: versatile) is one of DAIWA’s carbon-based material, which is not as strong and light as ZAION carbon material, but much better than previous plastic materials – DS4 or DS5.
That’s really in between, as ZAION-V is mixed material of ZAION carbon and plastics so it’s lighter and stronger than DS5, but much cheaper than ZAION.
As well as the previous US 20 LEGALIS, this ZAION-V is used to both rotor and body.
One thing, this body is NOT Monocoque body like CALDIA as this is an affordable model.
Japan LEGALIS VS Overseas LEGALIS
As we have already described, this LEGALIS is one of global selling model from DAIWA.
Then, have you heard that DAIWA AUS also has new 23 LEGALIS?
(Actually, US has not announced that yet, but instead, 23 EXCELER and 23 REVLOS are announced)
But interestingly, there are differences in between Japan model and AUS model, despite the name and the look are the same.
One thing is the line-ups – AUS LEGALIS only has Deep spools and normal gear ratio for all sizes, and Japan model hasvariety of P = Power Gear, Normal, High and eXtra High gear ratios.
The only one feature-wise difference is that, Japan model 23 LEGALIS has screw-in handle despite AUS has hex-pin handle like previous models.
This can actually differ reeling feeling, especially when you try to catch information from under water, as the hex-in handle can have mroe noise from its pin.
But interestingly, US and AUS also has new reel – 23 EXCELER, which is actually, exactly the same spec of Japan model 23 LEGALIS, and Japan does not have EXCELER in the market.
AIRDRIVE Design, ZAION-V, same ball bearings, same weight but only silveric cosmetics.
Even DAIWA staff tells officially that the difference of 23 EXCELER and 23 LEGALIS is the handle type, screw-in or hex-pin.
If so, I would think, 23 EXCELER is actually, exactly the same reel of Japan model 23 LEGALIS.
Again, the models are the same as AUS LEGALIS – only has D = Deep spool and normal gear ratio.
Price wise:
Japan 23 LEGALIS LT3000-CXH US$92 (\13,100)
US 23 EXCELER LT3000D-C US$99.99
AUS 23 LEGALIS LT3000D-C US$92 (AUD$139.99)
If you live in area where you can buy 23 EXCELER, and if you like silver cosmetics, we would simply recommend to buy them because Japan model 23 LEGALIS will be more expensive than them with internal shipping costs.
But if you are not, and / or like 23 LEGALIS black cosmetics more, and / or like to have high gear ratio models, then maybe Japan model 23 LEGALIS can be your choice.
Specs and Release Date
Let’s get back to Japan model 23 LEGALIS from now again.
New 23 LEGALIS has starts at #1000 body for light fishing, all up to #6000, which can be used to offshore light jigging with power / normal / high / extra-high gear ratio.
Release date is set to September, 2023 and the prices are in 11,600yen – 15,100 yen (approx. US$82 – US$106).
| Model | Weight (g) | Retrieve Range (cm) | Gear Ratio | Capacity Mono (lb-m) | Capacity Braid (Gou-m) | Handle Length (mm) | Bearing | Max Drag Power (kg) | Price (yen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT1000S | 175 | 64 | 5.2 | 2-120_2.5-100_3-70 | 0.2-210_0.3-200_0.8-70 | 40 | 5/1 | 5.0 | 11,600 |
| LT2000S-P | 175 | 63 | 4.8 | 2.5-200_3-150_4-100 | 0.4-200_0.5-170_0.6-150 | 45 | 5/1 | 5.0 | 11,600 |
| LT2000S-XH | 175 | 81 | 6.2 | 2.5-200_3-150_4-100 | 0.4-200_0.5-170_0.6-150 | 45 | 5/1 | 5.0 | 11,600 |
| LT2500D | 190 | 75 | 5.3 | 8-220_ 10-190_ 12-150 | 1-360_ 1.2-300_ 1.5-230 | 50 | 5/1 | 10 | 12,600 |
| LT2500S-XH | 185 | 87 | 6.2 | 4-150_ 5-120_ 6-100 | 0.6-200_ 0.8-190_ 1.0-140 | 50 | 5/1 | 5.0 | 12,600 |
| LT3000D-C | 195 | 80 | 5.3 | 10-260_ 12-200_ 16-150 | 1.2-430_ 1.5-300_ 2-230 | 50 | 5/1 | 10 | 13,100 |
| LT3000-CXH | 200 | 93 | 6.2 | 8-150_10-120_12-100 | 1-200_1.2-190_1.5-170 | 55 | 5/1 | 10 | 13,100 |
| LT2500S-DH | 200 | 75 | 5.3 | 4-150_5-120_6-100 | 0.6-200_0.8-190_1-140 | 90 | 5/1 | 5.0 | 13,600 |
| LT4000-CXH | 225 | 99 | 6.2 | 10-190_12-150_14-130 | 1.2-310_1.5-200_2-170 | 60 | 5/1 | 12 | 13,600 |
| LT5000-CXH | 245 | 105 | 6.2 | 10-330_14-230_20-150 | 1.5-430_ 2-300_ 2.5-260 | 60 | 5/1 | 12 | 14,100 |
| LT6000D-H | 310 | 101 | 5.7 | 14-310_20-250_30-150 | 2.5-420_3-300_4-220 | 65 | 5/1 | 12 | 15,100 |
* Braided line capacity is based on Japanese size “Gou”. Please refer to Gou and Diameter table to see diameters of each Gou.
