Powercast X30T
The Powercast X30T is a casting reel without drag, and the casting sibling to the Emblem X-T series. Sold exclusively in Japan, it remains little known today. It stands out with its full metallic grey finish, including its handle, while sharing the gold rear cover with the Emblem Z and Z-T models. It was offered alongside the lower-specced S30T as an entry-level casting reel, sitting below the premium Z35T, Z45T and Z45T-PE models. Due to its less appealing looks and the fact that it requires conversion, relatively few are found in Europe today.
History
The Powercast X30H was an entry-level casting reel without drag, positioned alongside the S30H. It was introduced in 1993. The Powercast X30T is its successor.
The X30T was released in Japan in 1995 together with the lower specced S30T. The new models featured Twistbuster, a TiN-coated line roller designed to reduce line twist, along with a new look. Another notable change was a plastic worm shaft gear replacing the brass one. First appearing in the 1996 catalogue, it carried the tagline: “A dedicated casting model featuring Twistbuster and Gyrospin.” It further mentions: “Combats problems caused by line twist with Twistbuster, while providing a smooth, satisfying retrieve. It comes with a standard spool for No. 3 line and a spare spool for No. 5 line, giving you greater versatility in your choice of fishing locations and target species.” Compared with the S30T, the X30H was technically more advanced, featuring an extra ball bearing on the drive gear and one in the line roller. It also came with both a PE3 and PE5 spool, unlike the S30T.
The X30T was discontinued after 1999. The Surf X-35A can be considered its range successor, although it was a more expensive reel with a longer stroke.
Japanese Daiwa catalogue (1999)
Releases
The X30T was released in 1995, only to be sold in Japan. Like its predecessor, it was produced in a single size. It was the smallest of the four sizes in the Emblem series, alongside the S30T and Emblem 4500. The spool dimensions are ⌀62/68 mm × 32 mm, matching those of the Emblem 4500, though without a drag system. Just like its predecessor, it came in a box containing two tapered graphite spools; a PE3 spool for long casting with light lines, and a PE5 spool for using heavier lines. Both are equipped with a line clip.
The early models feature the familiar bail kicker design with a coloured stripe. Like the Powercast S30T and most other Twistbuster equipped Emblems, later models feature a different bail kicker without the stripe. All models, however, were made in Japan.
Model comparison
Compared with other Twistbuster equipped models in this family, the X30T stands out visually thanks to its full metallic grey finish, including its handle. The bail kicker has no roller and is dark grey with a red stripe, like all others except the Z series. The handle has a hard plastic handle knob.
Technically, the X30T sits in the middle of the updated T-Emblem series. It features three ball bearings, placed on the pinion gear, drive gear, and line roller, just like the Emblem X-T/PT series. Internally, this reel is identical to the smaller Emblem X-T models and the S30T, although the S30T has two fewer ball bearings. The high-speed gear ratio is identical to the S30T and the smaller sizes within the Emblem S-T and X-T series. As a powercast model, it features no drag system.
Collectability
The X30T is not particularly sought-after. As a JDM model with limited demand in Europe, it is relatively rare on the European market. It needs to be converted before it can be used for carp fishing, using parts from the Longbeam 2000, PM2600H or Emblem 4500. Its low price also makes it a useful source of parts for repairs and upgrades to other Emblems. In particular, its Twistbuster line roller with bearing makes it well suited to upgrading original Emblem 4500 models, such as the S4500H and X4500H, although the plastic components differ in colour. Its rear cover is also identical to those of the smaller Emblem Z and Z-T models, making it a useful replacement for a damaged cover.
Specifications
All models in this group are very similar in terms of technical design. Click the button ‘Emblem series’ for general technical information, or further info on certain subjects below.
General specifications
- Model: Powercast X30T
- Country of manufacture: Japan
- Production period: 1995 till 1999
- Catalogue weight: 545 g
Body & rotor
- Body material: Carbon
- Rotor material: Carbon
- Balanced rotor: Yes
Internal mechanics
- Drive gear: Hex, aluminium alloy
- Pinion gear: Brass
- Worm shaft gear: Plastic
- Worm shaft: Brass, plated
- Gear ratio: 5.1 : 1
- Osc. type: Worm gear oscillation
- Main shaft: Steel, Ø6 mm
- Anti-reverse: Ratchet, inside body
- Ball bearings: 3 (Thailand)
- – Pinion gear: 1 BB (10x20x5 mm)
- – Drive gear: 1 BB (9x17x4 mm)
- – Line roller: 1 BB (5x8x2,5 mm)
Spool & bail system
- Spool design: Skirtless spool
- Stroke: 30 mm
- Spool type: Long cast
- Spool material: Graphite
- Spool lip: Graphite
- Line capacity (mm/m):
- – PE3 version: 0.235-300, 0.285-200
- – PE5 version: 0.37-200, 0.405-160
- Retrieve speed: ± 103 cm/turn
- Bail type: Two-piece
- Line roller: TiN Twistbuster (with ball bearing)
Drag system
- Drag type: No drag
- Drag washers: N/A
- Clicker sound: N/A
Handle assembly
- Handle type: Power, foldable
- Handle shaft: Black hex
- Handle length: 85 mm
- Handle knob: T-shape, hard plastic
- Ambidextrous: Yes
Schematics
See the schematic below. While the exploded view is an original Daiwa drawing, the parts list has been added separately. Some original part numbers may have been replaced with newer compatible part numbers.
Other original Emblems:
Other updated T-Emblems: