Van Staal RIP OFF

[Back Beach]

In all fairness to VS, if they were $300 and lower maintenance I'd buy one. I don't see the value above that.

Why do some folks buy them? Some people see a pic of a guy in a wetsuit having just "battled the world's most extreme elements" and is holding a big fish.
People then figure hey, its the reel....if I get the reel I'll be just like the guy in the picture.

I think others get em just to look the part....nowadays if you own a VS, wetsuit, or a tricked out canal bike you're considered a highliner, right?

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by slow eddie

i do wonder just what you do get for $800.? paying 200 just for yearly maintence and parts does seam like a little much for such a high end item. i buy old used penns, made in usa. part breaks, strip a reel. good to go.

Shh, you're gonna drive the price up.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

In all fairness to VS, if they were $300 and lower maintenance I'd buy one. I don't see the value above that.

Why do some folks buy them? Some people see a pic of a guy in a wetsuit having just "battled the world's most extreme elements" and is holding a big fish.
People then figure hey, its the reel....if I get the reel I'll be just like the guy in the picture.

I think others get em just to look the part....nowadays if you own a VS, wetsuit, or a tricked out canal bike you're considered a highliner, right?

If it's a status symbol (and I don't agree that for many, it is), what do you think the solution is for people that fish in places that will result in the reels spending a considerable amount of time under water?

Personally, I don't own a VS but have used them. After a full day of casting a bailess VS150 Makai let me use, I feel in love with it - smooth, no wobble on the retrieve and comfortable.

[redlite]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I've had my 200 for over ten years,I have at least ten 40's on it and I have never spent ten cents in maintenance.Never rinsed it after dunking,reel is bombproof.If BB caught fish the washers may be an issue.Ask redlite about his VS, that had no oil in it and still hammered fish nightly,what he thinks.AS FOR DRINKING FROM THE CUP;I guess I'll let you take a sip.In all fairness,the daiwa is a great canal reel.

I get absolutely no endorsement, not even free service from VS, so this is my take on them which I post every time this battle comes up.
I used to think anyone who spent $800+ on a reel was an arsehole, especially if they said they sucked. Back then I wasn't wetsuit fishing and swimming around, so I had no need for a VS. If you're not dunkin the reel all the time, then I agree it is a waste of money. I used to bash them everytime. Then I started the swim thing and the Shimanos weren't cuttin it. Wife bought me a 200 for our wedding 3 years ago (holy SH#t, can't believe she has still stayed with me for this long!!!) and now I wouldn't fish with any other reel.
First year was flawless. 2nd year after having it serviced, I blew a seal right at the start of commercial season. I fished it with 0 oil in it for the whole 2008 season. Never let me down. The insides were so bad that the guys at Rivers End didn't even know how to classify it. Cost me about $100 to get it redone. I have beat the ever living bag out of the thing and NEVER even rinse it off, yet it still keeps going.

As I stated, unless you are swimming with your reel, there are better, more economical options. It is in my opinion a function specific reel, but for me well worth it.

Will update on how much it costs me for this year once I send it back in....

Back beach is a hoot to watch swim a couple of hundred yards holdin his rod out of the water.......

[Adam_777]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

The list is below:

I would have thought for a 4000ish serial number a lot of these would have been 'wear' parts as part of the service charge. If anyone knows from experience these are wear parts, let me know. The only one I can see is the roller is a non-wear.

I already sent a sharply worded email back to them.

1 SERVICE - ANNUAL SERVICE FEE 49.95
1 ORQ2 - O-RING, QUAD CROSS SECTION, BUNA .281 X .070 0.44
1 OSPR2 - CUP SEAL, STEEL CLAD, .375 X .562 X .125 3.60
1 OSPR4 - CUP SEAL, STEEL CLAD, .500 X .750 X .125 2.20
1 ORR5 - O-RING, METRIC, 53MM ID X 1MM CROSS SECTION, BU 1.59
1 ORR6 - O-RING, .864 INCH ID X .070 CROSS SECTION, BUNA 0.12
1 WSLCIT1 - WASHER,LOCK,INTERNALTOOTH,10-32 STAINLESS ST 0.53
1 BGRS3 - BEARING, RADIAL, METAL SHIELDED, METRIC 4.13
1 BGND1 - BEARING, NEEDLE, CAGED OPEN END, METRIC 3.52
1 BGRC1 - BEARING ROLLER CLUTCH 13.48
1 BGRO2 - BEARING,RADIAL,OPEN 3.25
1 90000 - MISCELLANEOUS PART SEE TEXT 0.00
1 SR2039 - SR200/250 SEAL CARRIER 3.28
1 VSB2024P - 200/250 SPOOL RETAINER - PASSIVATED 4.50
1 VSB2040P - 200/250 SPOOL HUB - PASSIVATED 12.93
1 ORR3 - O-RING, METRIC, 9MM ID X 2 MM CROSS SECTION, BU 0.10
1 SR3020 - LINE ROLLER 21.57
2 OSPR3 - CUP SEAL, STEEL CLAD, .750 X 1.00 X .125 4.56
4 SR3038-2 - CARBON FIBER SHEET 1MM THICKNESS 5.84
---------------------------------------------------

Eighty bucks for an overhaul and a service is a good deal if you ask me.Not to be a jackass but the 3 bearings in the side cover can't be replaced all that easy.After a service like that you should be set for a bunch of years.Depending on how long you hold it underwater on each trip.I use marine grease and gear oil in mine.I'll take mine to CT for any major repairs I can't do myself.I'd pay 80 bucks for that service if the reel doesn't need it again for at least five years.I treat mine like a red headed stepchild and it keeps coming back for more.Best reel I've ever owned and hopefully the last saltwater spinner I'll ever buy.

[MAKAI]

What does a high end driver cost ?
I don't know, I hope to make an analogy.
My VS's are under water enough to grow gills.
Only send back for routine every 5 or 6 years.
Was getting expensive replacing the penns and such.

[Bronko]

Absolutley positively love my VS 200. Best piece of fishing equipment I own. Sent in once (by me just for routine mantainence) in 5 years. I fish it all season long and it is a beast. Highly recommend it to anybody.

[Rmarsh]

I like my vs 200 very much. Never had a problem. I can't say that about all the penns and schimanos I have bought that didn't hold up well at all. Spent alot of money on those and they all went into the trash.
Seems like alot of reels out there weren't meant to be exposed to saltwater or sand.

[Thumper]

for you guys doing the self service kit, remember that it doesn't come with anything to service the main seal.

i have no problem coughing up the $50 to $80 bucks every couple years. to me that justifies the time i spent last seasons taking apart and rebuilding the 706z, and cleaning the shimano drags that don't even like rain. i think the funniest part about every single vs & zeebaas bashing thread is that 90% of the people that bash either party have never even held one or fished one for that matter. Why does no one bash the guy who just spent $35k on a boat to just go fishing on a sunday afternoon?

Like Islander said to each his own...

[Mike P]

Saltiga---5 seasons, zero internal maintenence (line roller oiled a few times), no problems. Heavily used the last 4 seasons (I got it midway through the year the first season). The line roller bearing gets noisy when I crank against the Canal current. Probably shot.

VS 250--12 seasons (albeit no real use the last 4), zero internal maintenence, line roller oiled, no problems.

I have a newer 200 with a shot line roller bearing, but all it does is sound like a 706, so I can live with it.

I beat the piss out of the Van Staals when I lived on LI. Never seen the factory, and I wouldn't dare send them back now. If they ever stop turning, I'll open them with a pair of channell locks again and see what's what inside. I took a quick peek once, put grease on the gears to supplement the oil, and cranked them tight again.

I do suspect the factory of unnecessary replacement of some parts, though. I believe you authorize them to perform up to $200 of "necessary" maintenence when you send the reel in--at least that used to be the deal.

[Sea Dangles]

If they open it up for service they have to make them current.Too much trouble if they don't.I don't deny being a VS man,I'll even admit to being let down one time when I was left holding the crank with a 25# in the middle of the ditch.OUCH!!The last two I won which really makes me happy.I even caught a 180# tuna on a VS last year,performed flawlessly.Keep your fag daiwa piece of shiznit and ask yourself why you wasted all that money rather than sticking with $100 40# catching Penns.

[Islander77]

Originally Posted by Thumper

for you guys doing the self service kit, remember that it doesn't come with anything to service the main seal.

i have no problem coughing up the $50 to $80 bucks every couple years. to me that justifies the time i spent last seasons taking apart and rebuilding the 706z, and cleaning the shimano drags that don't even like rain. i think the funniest part about every single vs & zeebaas bashing thread is that 90% of the people that bash either party have never even held one or fished one for that matter. Why does no one bash the guy who just spent $35k on a boat to just go fishing on a sunday afternoon?

Like Islander said to each his own...

You and I have been over this many a time ... I fish what I fish cause well its a convench who cares .. But when you have a person who has limited time to fish like yourself, or I will this year thats when it not effing up matters or NOT having to tear it apart... I think it really is a " to each their own" thing cause in the end if you can justify the cost then you will be happy. And the fact is a sucker is born every minute.. So its not like spending 8-13 hundred on a reel is gonna MAKE you catch 40+ lb fish all the time.. In the end its personal choice/ happiness in what you fish... And Thumper just cause people have money does NOT make them smart we have been over that also...

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Islander77

So its not like spending 8-13 hundred on a reel is gonna MAKE you catch 40+ lb fish all the time.. In the end its personal choice/ happiness in what you fish

dam im returning mine then

[Islander77]

Originally Posted by Thumper

dam im returning mine then

Dont tell her then .. You still at the wives or you able to get back to the house and have power now??

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Islander77

Dont tell her then .. You still at the wives or you able to get back to the house and have power now??

haha no i will never return that thing. ya man still here and no power or way to get to my house. we have been looking at places a little north or here, just glad we didnt pull the trigger as some of thoes places are underwater.

Back on topic tho, i think everyone is going to find something wrong with any reel, unless i guess it was custom built for you or if you built it yourself. it is sadly just like buying anything else these days. hopefully like anything in life the good outways the bad.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

.Keep your fag daiwa piece of shiznit and ask yourself why you wasted all that money rather than sticking with $100 40# catching Penns.

I'm actually in agreement with you. I purchased my saltigas back when they were $450-$500. This was about the same price a VS went for at the time.

I'm not so sure I'd puke up $700-$800 for any reel at this point, regardless of its performance. Been looking to purchase a third spinning reel and can't bring myself to spend the asking price for any or these high performance reels.

With either case, VS will not be on my short list when I get my next reel.....unless I win one or two of them like you did, oh great one...

[piemma]

I think one of the main things it comes down to is "how you fish". If you are on the rocks all the time be it the Ditch, Narragansett, the Block, etc and don't "wetsuit" then you don't NEED an $800 reel. If you are one of the "young guns" who wetsuit and have your reel constantly submerged then you NEED a tank for a reel. Note the operative word here is "NEED".

God know, that in the 70s and 80s there were those of us who experimented with Cracks and Luxors. We almost to a man, either went back to Penn 704s or 706s or Sqidders. Those 3 reels probably have accounted for more Stripers than all the VS reels ever will.

I am not bashing the VS. They are great reels and I fished one for 2 years but I do not wetsuit so my reel stays dry enough so a rinse and drag washer cleaning every so often is all I need to do. if you are afflent enough to be able to afford a VS or Saltiga and just want that luxery, then go for it. It's like owning a Mercedes. You don't NEED one to go grocery shopping but it's a nice car to own.

[NIB]

Originally Posted by eastendlu

And be lucky enough to have this ride it

Now thats funny

[NIB]

Brian,Looks like they did some good things to that reel.Like SD siad to make thm current.They had an issue with some of the spools and drags.The drag would actually loose as line came out.I have watched Steve C do try to get the drag stack out on some older ones it is not easy..They changed the drag configuration in the spool It will be much smoother...They installed a sleeve on the inside with new bearings and washers they replaced the line roller and bearing...Them little parts add up.And you should not have most of that expense in the future.
It will be better with a smoother drag.Ya it cost some but you will be happy..
Me I maintain em myself.Mobil one 50 weight oil.Fells like my Penns did.I love it.
I also lubed the drag stack up with the cal's grease.I jammed like three spoonfulls in there an squeazed out the excess.. smooth as silk.You can also use a yamma lube.stay away from teflon grease with the VS as it will eat the rubber seals.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

what do you think the solution is for people that fish in places that will result in the reels spending a considerable amount of time under water?

Read the last line of Redlite's post...

Its called the marching soldier swim. Its a cross between a one handed dog paddle and a one handed breast stroke

My Saltiga does go under many times and I just rinse it off at the end of the night.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Read the last line of Redlite's post...

Its called the marching soldier swim. Its a cross between a one handed dog paddle and a one handed breast stroke

My Saltiga does go under many times and I just rinse it off at the end of the night.

Makes sense. I sink like a stone in the water, so the concept of swimming with one arm out of the water would never cross my mind.

Last year I used a Stradic that was dunked quite often. It's a great reel, but I know it's just a matter of time before a trip gets cut short due to it seizing.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Last year I used a Stradic that was dunked quite often. It's a great reel, but I know it's just a matter of time before a trip gets cut short due to it seizing.

I use the Stradics also...the issue I ran into was the Handle seizing.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by piemma

I think one of the main things it comes down to is "how you fish". If you are on the rocks all the time be it the Ditch, Narragansett, the Block, etc and don't "wetsuit" then you don't NEED an $800 reel. If you are one of the "young guns" who wetsuit and have your reel constantly submerged then you NEED a tank for a reel. Note the operative word here is "NEED".

.

I disagree slightly. Every hardcore guy needs a dependable tank. The reason I decided to buy a Saltiga (direct from Japan for $550 when the exchange rate was favorable) is because I had a Mitchell Nautill %$%$%$%$ the bed on me with a 25# on in the canal--the spool came detatched from the base, and I had no drag. The fish got around a bridge abutment, got itself hung up, and I had to listen to Slip and Mac crack my nuts about not knowing how to fight a fish for the 20 minutes it took me to somehow get the fish to move off the snag, and then palm the spool the whole time cranking it around the bridge and into the rocks. We had to keep the fish because it couldn't be revived.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

I don't think a VS is just for swimming. If your in the rocks and in the surf its not bad to have one. I will rock hop waist to chest high and not worry about the reel going in the water and can use the rod with the reel submerged to find holes. And when I do fall or set up in heavy surf. I'm more worried about falling and my safety and not concentrating on trying to save my reel. I beat the CRAP out of my 250 last year and had no problems I washed it down maybe 25% of my outings. When I opened it it was clean as a whistle. If it last a couple more years of heavy abuse I would say it was worth the $.

[luds]

I wish Daiwa would bring this reel to the American market. They don't make any decent smaller higher end spinning reels for the salt from what I can tell.

DAIWA SALTIGA GAME 3500

I'd already have one if I had a place to get it serviced.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by luds

I wish Daiwa would bring this reel to the American market. They don't make any decent smaller higher end spinning reels for the salt from what I can tell.

DAIWA SALTIGA GAME 3500

I'd already have one if I had a place to get it serviced.

They'll service it at the San Diego heaquarters, I'm sure. Both of my reels came from a vendor in Japan with japanese instructions and I still have mine serviced in SD. Some folks mentioned they wouldn't service it in the US, but that was BS. If its a Daiwa product they'll service it, I'm sure.

Why don't you sell me your Z and buy the new game 3500? You know you want it and now there's no excuse... Besides, they don't need expensive weekly service...its not a VS, you know...

I'm keeping an eye on the BST forum.

[luds]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

They'll service it at the San Diego heaquarters, I'm sure. Both of my reels came from a vendor in Japan with japanese instructions and I still have mine serviced in SD. Some folks mentioned they wouldn't service it in the US, but that was BS. If its a Daiwa product they'll service it, I'm sure.

Why don't you sell me your Z and buy the new game 3500? You know you want it and now there's no excuse...

It's all about who you talk to like anything else. I called Daiwa myself and they told me no. I'm sure the next person would give me another answer. Maybe I'll send them an e-mail and give it another try. At least that way I could send in the documentation with the reel.

My Z isn't going anywhere. Neither are the VS's. I should have my new gold bling 275 any day.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by luds

My Z isn't going anywhere. Neither are the VS's. I should have my new gold bling 275 any day.

You are a certified reel whore, or a CRW...

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

They'll service it at the San Diego heaquarters, I'm sure. Both of my reels came from a vendor in Japan with japanese instructions and I still have mine serviced in SD. Some folks mentioned they wouldn't service it in the US, but that was BS. If its a Daiwa product they'll service it, I'm sure.

Why don't you sell me your Z and buy the new game 3500? You know you want it and now there's no excuse... Besides, they don't need expensive weekly service...its not a VS, you know...

I'm keeping an eye on the BST forum.

Every Saltiga I ever heard about came with a Japanese language manual. There's no way to tell a US market Saltiga from a JDM Saltiga. The reel graphics are in English, but all the paperwork in the box is in Japanese. If Daiwa sells the reel in the US market, they will service it.

[BassDawg]

and i still haven't found out where

to get my Chinese VS ripoff??? same technology, same alloys
smeared serial ###'s, for about 350 on the black market!!!!

C'MAWWWN China, i thought you were better than that!