I'm sold on minimas 4s How about the 3s Do they have the same reputation as far as durability in heavy salt h2o fishing?

Maryann,
Before using or ordering a bunch of Minima 3's; I suggest that you try a set and evaluate them for your self.

I personally have stopped using them, because I had issues with the single swage construction of these guides causing line fraying.

But your experience may be different.

I may also have received some bad guides.

Good luck
Roger

Why not contact Pac Bay and ask them the difference between the minima 3 and the minima 4 guides? I believe a representative from Pac bay recently discussed this topic on this forum.
Mike Blomme

Mike I did talk to the rep. It was abt 6or 7 months ago. To my recollection the only one he did recommend was the black and gold saying it was very popular in Europe. I dont recall whether he recommended them or any others of the 3's for salt water use. This was the reason for my inquirey.

Maryann, I just looked up a previous discussion of minima guides and found a response by Geoff Stables from Pac Bay where he describes the differences between the two guides. Both minima 3 and Minima 4 guides have double swaging, but I believe the minima 3 has a lighter amount of swaging on one side. If you do a search, he will explain this much better than I can. I did a 90 day search. I hope this helps.
Mike Blomme

Michael,
Here is an exerpt from the Pac Bay 2012 catalog - listing the differences between minima 3 and minima 4 guides:

---------------------------

Ring type Code Description
4X - Hard
minima 4 Chrome4C - TiCH
Double-swaged into guide frame, this SS304 ring offers slim profile and light weight compared with
conventional ceramic rings.



mimima 3
Single-swaged into guide frame, this SS304 ring offers slim profile and light weight compared with
conventional ceramic rings and contrasting ring and frame finishes.


Be safe
Roger

Hi Roger,
I know that is what is stated, but here is the quote that I found:

Below I have listed the difference between the Minima 3 and MInima 4 guide rings. There is not really any functional difference between them. They just have to be made differently depending on whether the ring and frame are the same color. I have made a note to clarify the descriptions in the next catalog version. The price differences between Minimas are largely related to the type of finish applied, not the method of construction. Happy building!

Minima 3: All Minima guides with different ring and frame color are Minima 3. The ring and frame are finished separately and then the ring is swaged into place. BOTH SIDES OF THE RING DO IN FACT RECEIVE SWAGING. This method of construction requires that one side of the ring is swaged slightly less to avoid cracking the ring's finish which has already been applied.

Minima4: All Minima guides with the same ring and frame finish are Minima 4. The ring is swaged into the frame prior to finishing, then both ring and frame are finished at once. This allows an equal swag to be applied to both sides of the ring.

Geoff Staples, Product Manager
Pacific Bay International
www.fishpacbay.com

I guess the difference is somewhat subtle.

I would suggest using the 4s The 3s were said to fray line
Even Roger had said that i also read others

Bill - willierods.com

Michael Blomme How about some input in regard to bill b. comment.

Michael Blomme How about some input in regard to bill b. comment.

Hi Maryann,
I've only built three rods using the minima guides. Two of them were built using the minima 4s and the other using minima 3s. So far I haven't seen any fraying of the line. I think I used the rod about six times last year. Now that Bill mentioned that, I will watch more closely. The rod I built using the minima 3 guides is an ultra light spinning rod and I am using 10 pound braid--i believe this has about the same diameter as 2 pound monofilament.
Mike Blomme

Shoot Roger an email you can find it under Search Minima guides I believe there are others I did not go deeper with the search here is the post - 2 days ago !!!

Maryann,
Before using or ordering a bunch of Minima 3's; I suggest that you try a set and evaluate them for your self.

I personally have stopped using them, because I had issues with the single swage construction of these guides causing line fraying.

But your experience may be different.

I may also have received some bad guides.

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks, Bill.
Mike Blomme