100% made in the U.S. of A. and a good source over @ the BPS told me how well they perform. Don't know much about longevity yet with it being so new, but I am willing to bet that they stand behind their product. A worker I talked to for a lengthy ammount of time said that the manufacturer came and demonstrated and let them try the XS out. The guy told them all to two-hand it and if they had any backlash at all, it would be very little. The worker said he really whipped it and it went two to three times further than anything he had ever cast with and didn't give him any backlash at all. Sounds like a great reel and feels good too. Not too big or heavy but seemed solid and smooth. I think this will probably be the next reel I buy when I need another. I already have way too many for a person that just started to fish t's. I've been fishin' pretty much since I could walk, but it only takes a few rods & reels to get the job done. I'm 27 and i just about have a rod & reel for every year of my life since I just got some good deals on some Johnny Morris combos and a Chronarch from a friend of mine. Anyway, the Ardent sounds, looks, and feels great and I'm gonna get one sooner or later.