Lugan,
I'm not high tech, but I'm no Luddite either. I don't know about 50 years ago, but certainly over 40 years ago the Hardy Lightweight series were greeted as great additions to the practical fly fishing line up. Of course, the "progress" included in those reels was limited to lighter aluminum frame construction. The basic materials of stainless steelhead spindle, bronze bushing, and spring and pawl mechanism were carry overs that were already a half century old brought to a new application. The introduction of the CFO was also well received by "old men" because it was an even lighter frame that complimented the introduction of graphite fly rods, light enough that reel weight was losing relevance for rod balancing. In addition, the CFO was machined, with closer tolerances than the traditional Hardy cast aluminum line up. I never heard one single negative comment, other than those who still fished mostly bamboo mentioning that their old reels would continue to see action, but the new CFO would adorn their new lightweight graphite rods.
When I first saw the Ross Colorado I thought this was just what the fly fishing market needed, in part because other high quality spring and pawl reels had been discontinued. I bought two of them and was impressed that if anything, the inherent quality exceeds that of the Hardy lightweight series. Very close tolerances, simplicity in design, and should last an angler's lifetime, and relatively inexpensive.
Comes now the new generation Colorado. My first impression, as stated earlier, is that it looks like gangsta' spinner hubcaps, and gangsta' style is not to my liking. Most notably however, is the price bump from $105 to $285 in a decade that included the recession. What gives? Hence, the real progress will be increased profitability if this reel proves popular. Maybe that's why the original Colorado was discontinued. Not much profit potential in a low priced, high quality reel that lasts forever.
Sg
