I’m looking to get a 4 piece 4 wt 7’6” to 8’ glass rod on a budget. I’ve checked out Moonlit rods, LL Bean Pocket water and Echo River glass. Unfortunately I don’t have the opportunity to test cast all 3. I have the yellow original Butterstick in a 4 wt, but it’s a 3 piece and I’d like something that will pack down a bit shorter, so I’m checking out 4 piece rods. Has anyone had a real world opportunity to compare theses rods? Are they similar or is there any significant differences?

Blue Halo makes a 4 piece 7'6" 4 weight.

I have an L.L.Bean Pocketwater 7.5’ 4wt. It’s a nice rod at a nice price. It may actually be made for Bean by Echo. I’ve never seen a Moonlit rod in person, so I can’t compare …

I've only seen one Riverglass and I thought the cork was short and narrow. Not trying to steer you away from it, its just something I noticed. I wonder if you could could find a like-new Orvis SFG for your price point.

Of those, I can only comment on the Moonlit, and only because I have their Lunar 2wt. The rod is okay, and for small coastal creek shenanigans it is fine. I did not like their stock hardware much, though.

If you do decide on a Moonlit Lunar, try checking in with Bejuco Flats Fly Co,; the proprietor's name is Pablo and he can build you a custom rod for the same price as a stock rod. He has an eBay storefront too, which makes it easy. Fast USPS shipping from Puerto Rico. I believe he is a member here as well.

I have a 4wt SFG and the packed length is not an issue for me, but if it was, I see Graywolf has a 4-piece 4wt NFC Iconoglass for sale right now...

Have you checked out the Maxcatch glass rods?
They do 4-piece rods, and used to do a 5-piece 4-weight glass rod, which I have, and rate.