Yeah, I've used both and the Remix is WAY nicer IMO. I think the cast Liquid is better than the Ion as well. I got the 7/8 Liquid for $69 off Sierra which is just a ridiculous deal. I don't quite get why there is so much surplus. Either too much production or not enough sales. And if not enough sales, maybe bad marketing? Or bad deals? I know Redington has them beat on advertising by a long shot. The Farbank pockets are much deeper than Waterworks.I have a lamson remix and love it. It's my favorite.
I have an echo ion also, it's ok. I'd take the remix over it any day though.
I think a lot of people buying at the lower end go for Redington or Echo rather than Waterworks-Lamson because of the shop availability and marketing. And it's decent stuff.
IMO, the Lamsons run circles around most of the sub $200 Redington & Echo stuff. And I love my older Redington 5/6 Rise and my 7/8 CDL. The Rise is probably my favorite 4-6 wt reel ever. The CDL is nice, but really heavy. Like truck rotor heavy. Haha! I like it though! So many reels and so little time.

