got one 8'6" med 8-12 lb. busted it fishing in the salt on a fat chum (might have used it in the downrigger at one time or something) it was outside the 1 year warranty period and they still replaced the tip section at no charge. i actually love the thing. slapped my curado on there and can comfortably (and smoothly) cast 3 shot to 8 shot slinkies with no problems. i like it. i also have a 10' $59, shimano convergence i use for a float rod. i like that too. i've heard good things about the rapala drift rods in the $80 range. if i was going to fish 3-4 times a week, or fish for a living, i'd probably plunk down a chunk for a loomis. if i get out 3-4 times a month, i'm lucky, so to spend that kind of money really doesn't make sense for me. that being said, if i was going to plunk down another $100 for a drift rod, i'd scare up the other $30 and go certified pro for the lifetime warranty, if i break the norwest again, i doubt that they'll fix it again on their dime.

willy