| 15° Power Measurment for rods |
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Measurement Procedure Currently rod actions and weight recommendations as stated by manufacturers have one thing in common: They are not based on similar measurements but rely on the subjective judgments of their rod designer. Accordingly different manufactures apply different criteria to rating their rods. Consequently, a rod rated as being a 7 weight by company A might be considered to be a 9 weight by company B. The intent of the 15° power measurement system to provide a straightforward method to to quantify the action and power of rods. This approach uses standard measurement techniques that are uniformly applied for all types of rods. As a result these measurements provide an objective way to compare the characteristics of rods and avoids the ambiguity involved with relying on the subjective standards of different rod making companies.. The 15° approach is meant to provide an objective way to compare the characteristics of different rods, but cannot take the variable preferences or casting styles of different casters into account. The results of the measurements show only what the rod can do, not what a caster can do with a particular rod.
The Principles of the 15°Power Measurement Method The 15° power measurement system is based on the principles Ludwig Reim developed for comparing the dynamic characteristics of rods with his 15° speed measurement system. For those that are interested the details and science behind the Reim method can follow this link to his 1997 article in the magazine "Mit der Fliege" (With the Fly). Athough the Reim approach provided a very accurate way to compare different rods it required the use of sophisticated electronic measurement equipment. As a result the Reim method could not be replicated by most users. The 15° power method was developed to simplify the process used by Reim.
The 15° Power measurement uses the same measuring points as Reim, but does not require the use of complicated equipment to measure speed. Extensive tests have shown the power method produces the same results as Reim’s approach since both methods rely on the same principle of action=reaction. The measuring process is rather simple:
You now divide the higher mass by the lower one the result is the power factor or in other words the multiplier. Normally this factor is over 4 and in some cases even over 5. The higher the power factor is, the more potential the rod has to produce higher tip speeds. I compared past records of the 15° Speed measurements with the results of the 15° Power measurement method and found they produce the same result. Although we no longer measure the speed directly, the factors that illustrate the power and action of the rod are exactly the same.
What are the advantages to quantifying rod performance in practice? A single universally applicable standard for determining rod action simplifies a buyer’s decision making process while comparing the performance of different rods. Rods of different manufacturers could be compared directly because the values were determined using the same measuring principle. Assuming today a majority of rods are sold over the Internet, a uniform classification of action would be more than helpful. Bad surprises due to wrong purchases would be reduced considerably. Using this evaluation method, even local dealers would be able to meet their customer’s needs more completely and be able to provide objective information that is supported by substantiated facts. For example, assume a customer is looking for a new 5 wt rod to use on his favorite trout stream. First he would select a set of rods based on the power information. Then he would selectively test cast a limited number of those rods based on their measured power factor values. Then he would select the rod that matches his casting preferences and make his purchase. Beginners to the sport would gain the most from a common rating system, because it would make the selection of rod a snap. Wrong purchases would be prevented, and buying unsuitable tackle would be relegated to the past. Specialists and experts would also be able to compare and select their preferred tackle much easier as well. Soon it will be possible to match an individual's power-factor preferences to a select group of rods. Test casting a few rods would then find the one that best meets his needs. The introduction of a uniform standard would not be a limitation but rather an enrichment of the selection process. Nobody would be constrained to use a single line class and test casting would still be an important factor in selecting a rod. Casting a rod with different lines and over a range of casting distances would be just as important as now. Such testing represents the ultimate fine-tuning involved in choosing a rod. Because of the different ways manufacturer's describe their rods and/or make recommendations for matching lines it is enormously difficult to make a knowledgeable selection with the current rating system. The 15 ° power measurement method provides a valid standard for all rods and would simplify and shorten the search to make an informed purchase of a rod that would satisfy a particular caster’s preferences.
Measuring - the pros and cons
The 15 ° Power measurement is already highly accepted among fly fishers, but there are some who doubt the utility of using rod measurements. Doubt is entirely appropriate, because not every change is automatically good. Not everything that is new must be better. Doubts about the accuracy of the measurement or the comparison standards are based primarily on the complexity of the project. This page contains all kind of background infomation, please study them and ask questions about anything you do not understand.
Some would like to see that the measurement method should be more oriented to practice. This is not the intention, nor even possible. How could different casting styles, or possible weather conditions (such as wind) be objectively included to characterize a rod’s performance characteristics? Those are changing variables and an objective measurement can only be based on firmly-defined factors. The acceleration of a car is also always measured (in Germany at least) from 0-100 km / h and not in a vehicle from 10-80 km / h and at another from 20-100 km / h. To be useful, the measurement standard needs to be the same for all rods, and not be based on a particular manufacture’s rating system.
The best fly rod or equipment can be found only by test casting. That is true, but test casting refers to the fine-tuning. Why should the pre-selection process be unnecessarily difficult, if it could be made quite simple?
Prospects for rod maker Keep in mind - you can test cast a rod, but you cannot do the same with a blank - only after you built it to a rod. A blank feels different from a rod when you shake it. I use the 15 ° power measurement, of course in all the rods I build, tune and repair. Measurable results provide security and strengthen the confidence of customers. The use of measurement methods cannot replace experience and instinct, but one can very well predict events and actions.
Acceptance and implementation of the idea These remarks were certainly easy to understand and came from numerous discussions at trade shows, meetings and various forums. For this method to be a benefit to the community, it is necessary that it finds the approval and acceptance of manufacturer’s as well. The principle is simple and the cost low. No complicated equipment is needed and the measurement itself is performed within minutes.
Your opinion counts! Can you understand what the 15° power method is all about? Or was something unclear? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers on this subject, I am sure many others support a uniform, clear and verifiable method for the characterization of rod actions. What do you think?
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