Rt the Diff between the av-30 has 7 bearings and the epix-30 has 10 ball-bearing and the handles are different.
The AV has a metal knob style (cold)and the epix has a smaller rubber grip.
I heard Okuma has a 12 ball bearing spinning reel also...just a rumor.
I also own an 2000# spirex,I use my okuma now much smoother and I love the smooooth drag.

Like Dan said the Okuma 30 series falls between the 2000 and 4000 series shimanos,which is perfect becuase one is too small the other is too big......balance is perfect......just my .02....Os

[ 10-10-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]
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[/b]The less I give a [Bleeeeep!] the happier I am[/b]