| IMO, you could make a case that the new Allstars (that now use a mercotac for the A- and B-lines, just like the Uhlmanns, with the C-line brough up through the spring and bearing) are worth the extra money. The key functional difference is that Allstar reels use a cast metal case, instead of the plastic case of the Uhlmann, which eliminates the problem of the cable cutting a slot in the case (which in turn can catch and damage the cable). They're also just heavy enought that the don't usually need to be taped or weighted down like the Uhlmanns. They use the same cable as the Uhlmanns, and are easier to open up and work on when something does need to be serviced.
Tim's right that parts availabilty might be an issue, though. Allstars have not been terribly common in the US (the older, non-mercotac version needed to have the contact post cleaned and lubricated regularly and so was not preferable to Uhlmann), so not as many vendors stock all spare parts or are set up to order them as needed.
-Dave | 
Linear Mode
