The 8500ss was an American manufactured reel, they now build these in Japan and call them the 850SSm. I don't Know if quality or performance has suffered because of this tho', as I bought my 850 just before the change over I'd doubt it as these are Penns staple spinning reel. Someone else may have some info on the new model.

Cheers Daisy
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Happiness is fishy fingers with a stiff rod in my hand

Hi Ian,

The 8500ss is the "old" model the new ones are 850ss and so on. the New models are Chinese made, I have had an 850ss for a couple of years now with no problems at all

Steve

They're first named 850s some decades ago, then gone to 850ss, then the last of the USA built reels 8500ss. The new lot are built in China and are fairly different to the previous models, ie infinite anti reverse, 6bb setup, machine handle and no A/R switches. New ones are called 850ssm.

* Oceanside- Advice, Knowledge, Experience....that's our difference * 

Manager/Tackle Rat @ "Oceanside Tackle & Marine"
364 South Street, O'Connor, Perth Ph# 9337 5682

Made in US..yeah right...From parts made in Korea.

Assembled in the US would of been more accurate. 

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No Orange Hats Allowed

V8 twin turbo diesel....Ohh what a feeling!

ian with the new ssm series is fantasic its the ssg wich was the graphite series that had the problems . the old ss series was actually 1 of the worst reels in reguards to there anti reverse gears and osilation system all having problems. the ssg was an attempt by penn to fix the problems but were complete poo. they now make the ssm wich is a metal body reel with 1 way gearing that will not break and the ossilation system has been changed to make it a "braid friendly" reel and they also improved the bearings to make it super smooth and quiet. in my eyes from personal experience is up there with the spheros as a fantastic bottom rage jig reel that will not let you down.

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The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson. PH:9248 3800

I have an 850ssm and a 650ssm and both are proving to be solid and reliable. Very smooth, and i've had both apart and they look very well built. Still good reels it seems. For comparison, i also have an old 8500ss and its still a cracker. 

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"Guaranteed to catch fish mate, promise!"

Brett Ozanne

I,m sold Albee - it's the 850ssm for me - it's a back up for the 8500ss which has been fine but i'm off to Shark Bay in August and feel safer with a backup.

Cheers, Ian

anyone got a 850 usa forsale?. I want another one for a mate

canprob find 1 for ya mark . what sorta $ you lookin to spend?
prob get 1 for round 150 in imac condition?
brenz

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The Tackle shack, for all your fishing needs
huge range of stock to suit any fisherperson.
PH:9248 3800

If you can get me a USA 850 for $150 i will take is strait out :)

Seen quite a few problems with the newer ssm reels, but the older penns seem a lot stronger.

You can get a Fin Nor Offshore series reel for around $150 .

I have 3 Penn 850 ss with the brass gears , the 8500ss has an aluminium main gear from memory and the older 850ss has a brass main gear all 3 of mine are 850ss models I have 1 that has only been used for 2 weeks spinning at Steep point then I bought it and havn't used it since , the insides look like new.

I have used the Fin Nor offshore's as well and they are one TUFF reel , I'm getting one myself .

This is Cabella's site but you can get them cheaper if you shop around

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat600380&id=0043044121623a&navCount=1&podId=0043044&parentId=cat600380&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat600380&hasJS=true

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 Oatsfishwest member 88 .

 i have sold plenty of these reels and i am yet to recieve any back in fact i hardly get anything back from penn i have seen more returns from other well known brands.