Only used a duel reel once, a 50w with 80lb braid for puka fishing. The ability to chage back and forth between low and high gear so easily was a really nice feature.

The 2-speed system is so much easier to use in a duel than in any otehr reel I reckon. If you have the $$$, and you will need plenty, then yes, by all means, they are a great reel.
Their drag system is not ideal however for trying to drop livies to the bottom for kingfish etc, as it never really pops into free-spool perfectly, and you have to strip line off the reel to feed out a jack mack for kings, however, as a trolling reel, mate, they are superb.
Whether the extra price overthe Penn/Shims is justifiable, well, that is up to you, but certainly, the 2 speed, forward/backards system on the duel is the smoothest, easiest to use I have yet seen.

You can adjust the free spool and drag setup very much the same way the old everols were done, by adding or removing the springs in the drag mechanism.

Yep, got kilwell to dickey with the little springs, and it is OK now, but still not a free as a lever drag... but good enough. It just means that if livie-ing with smaller jackmacks, I use a penn, but for a larger fish, or lures, the duel is the one.
Seen some folks using the reel as a winch... putting the rod across the transom, and rocking the handle backwards and forwards thru about 90degrees... that line comes in then! :-) Not terribly sporting perhaps, but when a double header of bluenose is kicking up down deep, it just keeps pulling that line in.

Reel Affair, if you are after a 9/0 Duel their is one on trademe with a rod http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Fishing/Big-game/Reels/auction-350103698.htm This would be a good buy at this price, if you did not want the Chair Rod I am sure you could sell the rod on trade me and buy a good stand up rod.

mate i have a couple of 9/0 duels orsome reels ..the two speed system is great ..especialy with virgin fishos ..

If they have a duel for under 900, buy it, buy it QUICK!!! Indeed, buy them both, those prices are way way below wholesale.
Just looked on their on-line site, no mention of any duels... think I will give them a call tomorrow actually....

I don't see why they would ever be banned??? First I have heard of this....

Capt Asparagus wrote: If they have a duel for under 900, buy it, buy it QUICK!!! Indeed, buy them both, those prices are way way below wholesale. Just looked on their on-line site, no mention of any duels... think I will give them a call tomorrow actually....

 

gees Capt you missed 4 of them on T/M with CD rods belonged to marty johansen 2x 80s and 2 x 50 went for about $750 each mate, I know of two of the big ones went down to greymouth on a well known charter boat,1st trip out burnt out the drags big time.