I must be one the "Big Spenders". The Chronarch is so much better then my Curado. The only drawback is the hefty price.

My main bait casting reel is a Chronarch. I use the Curado 100B on my float rod.

I too am in the process of buying a "backup" reel. I'll probably go to the Curado 200BSF, as I just can't afford/justify another Chronarch.

If I had the cash laying around, I'd get another Chronarch in a hear beat!

Also, consider the gear ratio. I'm a big fan of the 6:1 ratios. I personally think the 5:1 sucks.

I looked at the Calcuttas, and they are all 5:1 reels, and not 6:1. Not gonna buy another 5:1 reel ever again.

So, after all this rambling, yeah, I'd agree with everyone that a good, basic, beginner reel is the Curado.