I agree with Pete G. Time equals money. Quality equals time, and it definitely is a hell of a lot harder than it looks. I understand why they cost so much after seeing up close the workmanship of a VS at the MSBA show. Very impressive. I do not have a problem with them charging that much. I am sure they have a lot of R+D money to recoup. To my eye it is a beautiful piece of workmanship and engineering but still too expensive for a machinist to afford
.I do think some of the quality aspects of those expensive reels can be adapted and retrofitted to the lesser priced more abundant reels out there now. I guess we will just have to see if it is possible. Good discussion. Paul