The Abu is so much more cost effective and is great for fishing steelies and salmon alike. I use mostly abu and have not had a problem with them. We have went through a few reels but at $75 to 85 a piece rather than $300 you can afford it. It is a lot like the need for simms rather than one of the other just as good half the price waders/vests out there. The fish dont give a crap if you cast with a shimono, abu or whatever and I doubt the $300 calcutta reel will last as long as 4 $75 adu's at the same price. But on the downside, you wont look as cool as all the other cool guys around without the simms and shimono.