Some solid people, inluding the commercial guys, won't use anything but an older Penn when fishing the beaches because they are near indestructible, impervious to sand, and easy to clean & fix.
You'll also find some that do the same with Daiwa and SHimano but Penn has probably the most sturdy reels made over the past 40 years.
As far as the technology bit goes, I like it too but I won't deny how reliable a simple Penn can be. As far as other variables like casting distance and fish fighting - a well balanced spinning rod with a penn is going to cast in the same range as any other similar spinner. Just because some people with Penns can't cast doesn't mean the reel is weak.
I have a few 30+ year old 940 levelwinds that I don't use because I have better & newer reels, but my grandfather used these reels. He probably last cleaned and used them in the late 70s when they were last used a lot. Today, they are still smooth. My ABU 6000 reels that were his cast further and smoother and are more technically advanced but are bit more worn and need more overhaul than the Penns...
So while I fish other reels (although I would like a Penn 965) I won't knock the Penns. For someone that chooses them may be choosing ease of use & durability other than that extra smoothness or sweet roller bearing...
Just my opinion though
I like the Stradic (I have the smaller 4000) and it's overpriced too. So are a lot of the Penn Reels too. Very few reliable bargains out there....
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