There are a lot of features on the VS's that they can change IMHO.
Do away with that fancy folding handle and make it one piece like Zebco did with the Quantum Cabos. The old handle loosens up and is annoying.
What is wrong with a rubba handle? That dinky little knob is anothing thing that could have been changed. Even the Stella and Saltiga have rubba knobs.
Rumor had it that VS spent too much human hand time custom making many of the pieces hence they were never profitable and couldn't survive. Some one else mentioned that those blocks of aluminum they used were offcuts/scraps from another aerospace application so they were enjoying "free" material costs. Now I heard this 2nd hand from folks who mentioned it to me because I told them I was a cnc machinist.
I look at a Van Staal as a machined piece of equipment verses the Stella, or Saltiga (which are very expensice piece of mass produced high end reels). Now what reel would you think I would rather buy?
I have no issues about Zebco being able to "save" money on the VS reels. If the VS stays waterproof and you can fish it like a maniac then that is what it is all about! I wouldn't mind saving $100 on each reel either.
Not every one who buys a VS reel has a six digit salary.