I got one about 4 months ago because I had brought another surf caster which has a modern / slim blank (similar to a Shimano Surf Leader) and the Okuma Surf 8K I already had felt unbalanced with it.  

Being a 5000 series the Crosscut doesn't take as much line as the 8K (which of course is a 8000) but it is still more then enough for surfcasting.  It has a very smooth operation despite the tall spool and the drag is also good.  Feels very balanced with the new rod.  Casting distance between the 2 is the same as this is as much personal technique then equipment.  Both reels have the long cast spool and very similar features apart from the spool size.

Only con would be that it doesn't have the 8K's "Fast Drag" which allows a couple of turns of the drag knob to go from loose to full drag, the Crosscut is like a normal reel and takes 6-8 turns. 

Wouldn't hesitate getting another Crosscut and would probably get one over the 8K again simply because it doesn't feel as bulky.

Are the crosscast discontinued or something? I can't find any in NZ except the huge 45 one

mejobloggs wrote: Are the crosscast discontinued or something? I can't find any in NZ except the huge 45 one

The 45 is the smallest one.  The 6000 is the larger one.  Their numbering is a bit confusing but the 45 is 4500, as a comparison a small light tackle spinning reei is classed as 2500-4000.  Most surfcasting reels range from 4000 to 8000.

I got my 45 from Marine Deals: 
https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/spinning-reels/daiwa-20-crosscast-45-spinning-surf-reel

Pic of it below on my rod so you can see the size:

Yes the stroke ( how far the spool moves up and down to lay the line ) is very long with this reel.  The reel itself is not large.  

Pic below of the spool at the top of its stroke: