Was in M&D's and Mike mentioned this thread, I can confirm the gear problems on the 7001's. Picked one up this spring thinking the problems were amongst locals who could fish hard and with me making it down to the Cape maybe 8 weekends a year Id be all right. Boy was I wrong.
Gear lasted maybe 8 hours at most. LIve and learn I guess.
There will be a 7001i in the line, luckily for me Abu is swapping reels since mine is mint and fully under warranty. The hell with the price differential as long as I can trust the reel.