I always get a kick out of the companies giving the "famous" fishing crowd free stuff and then the "famous" crowd turning around and bragging up the product.

In my opinion, Loomis makes a decent finished rod at an extremely high price.

I fish Rainshadows that Castaway Chris builds me and gave my 7 year old son my mint Loomis GLX 1141. The Loomis handle is too fat, the rod is heavier, and it's twice the price. It's also one of the old, good, snappy, Loomis blanks but it doesn't compare.
It's a constant battle to keep the little fart from grabbing one of mine.

Loomis rods are great if they are free and your picture is in their catalog.