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Brandon Khoo

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Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 03:46:11 PM
In January this year, I posted a review of the Jigging Master Monster 16000 spool, an aftermarket spool that fits onto the 2008 Stella 10000 and the 2009 Twinpower.  The review an be found at the following link - http://www.gtpopping.com/forum/index.php?topic=4907.0

At that time, I said I would do a review of another aftermarket spool, the Nature Boys RPS after I had gotten a couple of trips under its belt.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Nature Boys RPS system, it is a very innovative system comprising of what they call a base kit and a bobbin that is available in different sizes. A special tool comes with the bobbin permitting you to change the bobbin in a matter of seconds permitting you to simply have one base kit and multiple spools. To me, it is a beautiful piece of equipment with the base kit in polished silver. I understand that the base kit is also available in black and dark metallic blue.

The bobbins are available in an 8000 size, a 10000 size and a 16000 size. I only have the 16000 size bobbins as this is the only spool with an appropriate capacity for PE8 in my view. The 16000 bobbin has a capacity that is line-ball with the SOM and JM spools.

So, how does the Nature Boys system perform? Well, in terms of the system itself and the ease of changing bobbins, I think it is first class. The tolerances are absolutely spot on and the is actually no way one could tell that the there are actually three separable parts to the spool. The parts are well made and it all comes together beautifully. The tool works a dream and I have had no trouble with this at all, even after extensive use.

I was not been able to find anything on the maximum drag claimed for this spool so the only way was to test it out and see. Some of you might remember from my review of the JM  that while I thought that JM had made a very capable spool, making grandiose claims on maximum drag was pointless when it was likely that the reel itself would have been compromised well before that point. 

The spool performed faultlessly on the two trips I tested it. The second trip comprised a relatively long trip of some two weeks so it got a good workout. From a casting perspective, I really cannot tell any difference between this spool and the JM or SOM. I can't tell you what the maximum drag is on this spool but I did test it up to around 15kg and it was very smooth and faultless in its performance. I like to differentiate between what I regard as a useable drag and a maximum drag. To me a useable drag is one which I can easily still adjust up an down. A maximum drag is screwed right down and really can't be adjusted easily during a fight.

If the is a negative, I don't feel its useable drag range is quite as good as the JM or SOM. I am going to want to use the spool for a bit longer before I draw any conclusions here but I feel that once you approach the mid-teens in terms of kgs, it does start to get more difficult adjusting the drag. As I wrote earlier, I do want to test it more because it could be that some water got into the drag system. For those of you who have experienced it, the drag on a SOM No Limits goes to hell once water gets into the drag.   

So there you have it. The Nature Boys RPS is clearly a very viable alternative to both the SOM and JM 16000 spools. I have no hesitation is changing between any of these three spools and if anything, I may even have a very slight preference for the Nature Boys due to the lack of holes in the spool. I still have a residual concern that the number of holes in the SOM and JM increases the chances of water getting into the drag and reel.

The spool was purchased from the Kaiser Proshop at retail price.

As an aside, I would point out that the JM has continued to perform faultlessly.
Last Edit: August 06, 2012, 08:29:59 PM by Brandon Khoo
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Dan Konig

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 06:56:56 PM
Thanks for posting Brandon, good to hear that there is another viable option out there.

A pic or two of it in various states of disassemble would also have been great if you get a chance!

Cheers

Dan

Mark Harris

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 07:29:07 PM
Many thanks Brandon - another great review.

Given you are positive on all 3 of the 16000 options, my money for any new purchase on this front would go to the cheapest - JM!

Charlie Chew

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 08:30:02 PM
Hi Brandon

There is another aftermarket spool that works like nature boy's RPS. I wonder have u guys heard of it, Axis replacement spool 16000.

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 08:41:44 PM
Charlie, I am aware of the Axis Transform spool system but to me, it feels like a knock-off of the Nature Boys product. I really don't like supporting products that are simply exploiting someone else's hard work.
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Antonino Augugliaro

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 09:23:05 PM
Charlie, I am aware of the Axis Transform spool system but to me, it feels like a knock-off of the Nature Boys product. I really don't like supporting products that are simply exploiting someone else's hard work.
Thanks a lot Brandon for these reviews, absolutely helpful for all.
Only to point out that Mitchel realised something  similar to NB system a lot of years ago for fresh water reels, like my old 300x, a small reel for fw, but the system is similar...
Last Edit: August 03, 2012, 09:46:31 PM by Antonino Augugliaro

Jamie Moir

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 09:36:37 PM
Besides, the axis system is different, the spool cut-out pattern is a hexagon and no one else is doing that, right?

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 10:04:58 PM
I hope you're being facetious

Besides, the axis system is different, the spool cut-out pattern is a hexagon and no one else is doing that, right?
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Mark Harris

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 03, 2012, 11:51:55 PM
Never heard of the Axis thingy and precious little info on it around (err... two relevant Google results both from the same tackle store). But from that info it looks like a blatant rip off.

Ladd Yoshimura

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 04, 2012, 04:07:47 AM
Thanks for the review Brandon.  I'm assuming that the RPS has carbon drag washers?  Did you have a chance to remove the stack?

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 04, 2012, 10:08:57 AM
I'll add some photos soon, Ladd
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Charlie Chew

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 04, 2012, 11:04:35 AM
Never heard of the Axis thingy and precious little info on it around (err... two relevant Google results both from the same tackle store). But from that info it looks like a blatant rip off.

Hi Mark, I have not seen it till recently on a local blog. So i want to seek some experts advice

Luke Wyrsta

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 04, 2012, 12:27:23 PM
I believe Axis (Maxel), manufacture reel hardware for JM. Not saying one is better than the other but they are most likely essentially the same thing with slight cosmetic variations (Axis &JM).

And yes, I believe they are modeled (copy, knock-off, whatever) on the Nature Boys RPS (original concept)...
Last Edit: August 04, 2012, 12:29:16 PM by Luke Wyrsta

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 04, 2012, 03:30:31 PM
I haven't taken the drag out but will soon to check it out.
If what Luke is saying is right, I expect that the drag will be up to it. The JM drag is seriously impressive.
There is only one way to find out if it is any good or not.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Nature Boys RPS - review
August 06, 2012, 08:31:24 PM
pictures now added
If it swims; I want to catch it!