Everyone has thier preferences and deservedly have the right to show preference to certain brands I like using my penn and shimano reels but I will honestly say the penn always gets put on my rod and the wife gets the shimano. and I have no problem getting out a decent distance with the 850 I do not know exactly how many meters I confidently cast but all I know is I can get over the back with it when having a good hair day. The penn sargus appears to have a long cast spool but sadly not available over here eventhough I wish they were.