I originally purchased this product more as a backup for my then reels of choice ( daiwa regal freespools) than for a replacement and I also purchased a stratos FS 70000e for the specific use on my fox controller rod. Inevitably the smaller reel developed serious faults finally ending up with the occilation system stopping and this took out the freespool mechanism, I also found that the after market service was dire. I wasn't having the same problems with the 10000 but I only use it sparingly but fox used to claim that all the stratos reels were built identically regardless of their size ( 10000, 70000, and 40000) so I am expecting it to go " bang" one day thus I have zero confidence using it. A footnote: a fishing friend purchased the update series of reels - fox Eos 10000 and one of them has failed with the anti reverse packing up whilst playing a carp, contacting fox was a complete waste of time for him. Incidentally my pair of daiwa reels are still going strong, just saying!

I have a lot of Fox gear among my fishing tackle, all of which is good value, well made items with one exception - a pair of Stratos 10000 FS reels. At separate times, both have suffered broken free-spool levers. Neither have been handled roughly and have sustained damage at different times and without just cause. That wouldn't have been so bad if I'd been able to get replacements from Fox, but not only are they unable to supply spares, their Customer Services will not even reply to a polite enquiry about replacements. A big thumbs-down for Fox reels and Fox Customer Services. I wish I'd known in advance how poor the after-sales service was. 

I've been using these reels for around 7 years now, on the first 5 years I thought they were quite good value for money, but then basically everything started going wrong. The clutch on all 3 of my fs10 000 seized, and the anti reverse just broke off. I have tried to get them repaired at FOX on numerous occasions with some sort of excuse each time. The latest being that these reels have been discontinued and they can no longer help me. In the 12 years that I have been specimen angling I have sworn by FOX and would generally only buy FOX products, now I refuse to ever buy anything FOX again.... The least one could expect from the so called "Giants" in specimen products would be good customer service. "Shame on you FOX"

hi guys ,firstly sorry to hear about all your problems with your strattos 10000 ,but i purchased 4 about 8 year ago when they first came out and the only problem ive had was a handle breaking on one, other than that they had a good field test

had a pair of these reels maybe 4 years can not fault them and they have had loads of use. all good

Good looking reels and they look the part! I have purchased 3 of these and 2 are now dead. Free spool lever will not operate on one. another the rachet lever did'nt do anything? made the mistake of taking the latter apart and as with the second - only now good for spares! Third one working Ok and also my FS 12000E is working OK - at the moment! Would i have them again? not if they were given to me!! Shimano all the time!

I have had these reels for four years and they have been back to Fox at least four times(TWICE OF WHICH I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRES). The spools would just pop off while casting, bait runners get stuck on, clucth wouldnt tighten enough. I have fished for 17 years these reels are the worst reels Ive ever owned. Would like to sell them but would feel guilty to whoever bought them. My advice is stick with diawa or shimanno still have reels by both of them from when i started and they all work. !!!!DO NOT BUY FOX!!!!!

Affordable reels with good line lay but awful reliabilty.

Sent them back time and time again, bail arm stayed open after casting, freespool tensioner seized solid, clutch siezed solid, bits fell off them etc, the list went on and on.

There are much more reliable reels on the market for similar money or even less

**AVOID**

I bought two Fox Stratos FS10000's earlier this year. Initially they were a fantastic reel. Smooth, quick retrieve, excellent line lay, beautiful casting, the list goes on. I was exceptionally pleased with them. However after a few weeks use the spools kept coming off of the main shaft, during use. After much complaining and an 8 week wait, I finally received 2 new spools which worked for a few times and then the same problem and also the free spool tensioner just broke off in my hand..!! After sending both reels back to Fox and after a wait of 9 weeks this time and many angry phone calls to them I finally got my money refunded...
To sum up great reels but unreliable and absolutely appalling customer service from Fox, they should be ashamed.. I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy these reels, they have serious quality issues and the customer service is just not good enough.

the fox stratos reel is spot on,cant fault it.

Fox Stratos FS 10000 Fishing Reel is smooth castin ,looks great on the bank cant fault the reel really

The Fox Stratos FS 10000 Fishing Reel is well made. Good line lay. Very smooth

It really is an excellent reel 10 out of 10. The fox stratos 1000 reel is really smooth and the line lay is excellent. Casting is very easy and smooth and can handle big fish as i have caught many cats 40lb plus and the reel has provided me with a lot of help playing the fish. I am always one up on these fish as the bait runner is great and the smoothness of the reel really makes you feel in control i use to use alot of the okuma range until my friend said i should try the fox stratos reel and was he right i will be using the fox range for may years to come now I think that maybe the Fox Strator FS 10000 fishing reel is a bit heavy but you get used to it.

The fox Stratos reel performed extremely well. It was smooth and felt great when casting out and reeling in. I have used many different reels ove rthe years but this one is up there with the best.