As of Fishing Festival 2022 – the biggest fishing show in Japan has started and new product information are revealed one after another – and this big news, DAIWA 22 EXIST is announced!
Previous model 18 EXIST was released with big surprise 4 years ago, and here is even more enhanced flag ship spinning reel – let’s check them more together.
New Spinning Reel Design Concept – AIRDRIVE DESIGN
For this new 22 EXIST, DAIWA has revealed new design concept.
This AIRDRIVE DESIGN is based on LT – Light and Tough, but more compact, light but tough, strong and sensitive spinning reel design concept.
AIRDRIVE ROTOR
This is a whole new rotor advanced of Air Rotor.
The lightest, the lowest friction new shape Airdrive Rotor is installed to 22 EXIST, and DAIWA official says this Airdrive Rotor is a core feature of Airdrive Design.
Made by ZAION as well as previous Air Rotor, but the shape is totally different with lots of curving shape, which has the same toughness of 18 EXIST, but even more compact and lighter.
Unlike SHIMANO 22 STELLA, new DAIWA 22 EXIST is created more for light and strong concept.
AIRDRIVE BAIL
DAIWA sais this new bail – Airdrive Bail is especially designed for Airdrive Rotor.
This new bail is advanced version of Air Bail, as well as Airdrive Rotor, strength is kept but even lighter and more compact.
Also bail angle is redesigned so lines can go from bail to line roller smoother, which can prevent line trouble much more.
AIRDRIVE SPOOL
DAIWA says 22EXIST’s spool is also redesigned.
Personally interesting part is the bottom of the new Airdrive Spool, that is called spool skirt, has a little flipped area that can prevent line coming inside the spool.
Spool itself is even thinner at all wall but no hole is made, and drag sound system is even redesigned so nice sound is still clicked but drag spins smoother.
Long Cast ABS is also attached at the spool edge.
AIRDRIVE SHAFT
Linear shaft is DAIWA’s spinning reel technology that keeps main shaft and pinion gear apart so friction is as less as possible.
And DAIWA Official says this Airdrive Shaft is advanced technology of Linear shaft.
Pinion gear and main shaft are apart and not touched each other, and ball bearings are installed to both side of pinion gear so the power from handle directly goes to rotor.
Main shaft is held by specially made bush so reeling noise is reduced as much as possible.
ATD TYPE-L
ATD – Automatic Tournament Drag system is one of quite familiar character of DAIWA spinning reel. Drag power can be changed by how strong the line is dragged, so sudden impact can either be absorbed to prevent line break accident.
This ATD Type-L is smoother than ATD to prevent more line break.
Other Features
- Monocoque Body
- Tough Digigear
- Magsealed – for line roller, main shaft and ball bearing
- Twist Buster III
Spec and Release Date
The new 22 EXIST has size variety from #LT2000 – #LT5000-C, with variety of gear ratio.
Releasing date is differed by size, #LT2000 – #LT2500 set to be the end of March 2022, and larger size #LT3000 – #LT5000-C is set as the end of May 2022.
| Model | Retrieve Range (cm) | Gear Ratio | Weight (g) | MAX Drag Power (kg) | Capacity Mono (lb-m) | Capacity Braid (Gou-m) | Handle Length (mm) | Handle Knob | Bearing | Price (yen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT2000S-P | 64 | 4.9 | 155 | 5 | 3-150 | 0.4-200 | 40 | HG-I Light | 12/1 | 100,000 |
| LT2000S-H | 76 | 5.8 | 155 | 5 | 3-150 | 0.4-200 | 45 | HG-I Light | 12/1 | 100,000 |
| LT2500S | 72 | 5.1 | 160 | 5 | 4-150 | 0.6-200 | 50 | HG-I Light | 12/1 | 101,000 |
| LT2500S-H | 82 | 5.8 | 160 | 5 | 4-150 | 0.6-200 | 50 | HG-I Light | 12/1 | 101,000 |
| LT2500S-XH | 87 | 6.2 | 160 | 5 | 4-150 | 0.6-200 | 50 | HG-I Light | 12/1 | 101,000 |
| LT2500S-DH | 72 | 5.1 | 170 | 5 | 4-150 | 0.6-200 | 90 | HG-I Light | 14/1 | 104,000 |
| PC LT2500 | 73 | 5.2 | 175 | 10 | 6-150 | 0.8-200 | 50 | HG-T | 12/1 | 102,000 |
| LT3000S | 77 | 5.2 | 180 | 10 | 6-150 | 0.8-200 | 55 | HG-T | 12/1 | 103,000 |
| PC LT3000 | 77 | 5.2 | 190 | 10 | 8-150 | 1-200 | 60 | HG-T | 12/1 | 104,000 |
| PC LT3000-XH | 93 | 6.2 | 190 | 10 | 8-150 | 1-200 | 60 | HG-T | 12/1 | 104,000 |
| LT4000 | 82 | 5.2 | 205 | 10 | 12-150 | 1.5-200 | 60 | HG-T Large | 12/1 | 105,000 |
| LT4000-XH | 99 | 6.2 | 205 | 10 | 12-150 | 1.5-200 | 60 | HG-T Large | 12/1 | 105,000 |
| LT5000-C | 87 | 5.2 | 220 | 10 | 20-150 | 2-300 | 60 | Aluminium Round Light | 12/1 | 108,000 |
| LT5000-CXH | 105 | 6.2 | 220 | 10 | 20-150 | 2-300 | 60 | Aluminium Round Light | 12/1 | 108,000 |
* Braided line capacity is based on Japanese size “Gou”. Please refer to Gou and Diameter table to see diameters of each Gou.
* All product information and images are basically from DAIWA official website (Japanese).
