My bud has a VS he uses maybe 30 times a year .. Every year he has sent it in for service they change the roller bearing the last three years . He doesn't swim or dunk the reel .. I've never changed a roller bearing on a spinning reel .. Penns with the paint all worn off ,, same roller bearing .. whats up with that ..

They want $$$. It's all about the $$$. I have heard that when you send in your VS for service you also send them your credit card. They will do repairs under a certain amount of $ without your permission but if they are going over an "X" amount of money they will call you. This is info I found reading I do not know by experience with VS. I bought a VB because of this and a few other reasons. One of which is because I am crazy :spin:.

See you tomorrow Tagger I might bring a certain pencil with me. It's late and Mike is making a lot of noise in his garage he must be brewing up a few things up for tomorrow.

it two different ends of the spectrum:shocked:

I've had 3 VS's since 2001, and I never found them to be excessive - and that is through 3-4 different owners. You do not send in a credit card, they would always call me when it was done and ask for my #'s.

In that time I've worn out one roller, actually wore a groove in it because I was tonging them that year. Maybe it is how your bud uses it that he somehow puts stain on the roller? I ordered an extra and keep it in the buggy. There it sits.

Eddie you do not have to send it in every year,
the reels are tough as nails and take serious beating, there are a few parts that they automatically replace, main gear, seals and bearings. I haven't sent mine in for a couple of years now but this year they will go for service.

yea ... heard from another gang member who bought a 275 last year .. wore out the roller half way through thew year .. Might be a regonal thing .. At the canal when you get swept to the sides its customary to burn it in,, so not to hang up on the edges .. Still though ..

Why does the guy have a vs if he only fishes 30x a year and doesnt get it wet???:confused: He probally could go 4 years without sending it in!

It's very simple--a bearing that wears out if it's fished that lightly is a crap bearing to start with.

Bearings come in various grades. If the bearing is easily removeable, have your friend take it to a transmission shop so they can size it and sell him a quality one.

Early VS reels had the bearing held in by an easily removeable snap ring--YMMV with the new ones.

Why does the guy have a vs if he only fishes 30x a year and doesnt get it wet???:confused: He probally could go 4 years without sending it in!

Canal ,,he mainly fishes conventional .. all fishing gear should be field tested there .. my brother in law owns a tranny shop .