Call me a cheapskate, but I'm rather attached to Sci. Anglers system II reels. I've landed stuff up to a 7' tiger, cudas, yellowfin, albies, jacks, and of course lots of local fish. I've lost fish 'cause I couldn't crank in slack fast enough, and wish the drag startup friction were a bit less. I also keep an eye on the place where the SS axle joins the metal housing, but other than that, these reels have served me wonderfully. I have 2 lamsons, and the drag's a lot
smoother, but other than that, I don't see a large advantage. That said, I realize that fishing's a lot more than winching in fish, and some (many) people enjoy having and using expensive machinery. If Abels make them happy, and that's a part of their fishing (and preparing for fishing) experience I'd be the last person to disagree with their choice of reel.
However, I do get a chuckle whenever I see someone reeling a large-arbor reel with their left hand.