Van Staal VM150 - anyone got anything bad to say about them?

[mingle]

Hi guys,

I was THIS close to buying my Fin Nor Offshore OF55 when I came across this amazing looking thing:



Here's a very interesting and detailed report on the reel:

http://www.stripersonline.com/t/818750/ ... and-review

...and another review & pics:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewicast10 ... staal.html

The quality looks very impressive...

It ticks all the boxes spec-wise and the price (at around $300) can't be sneezed at either.

I think this is the ONE!

Does anyone else have one of these or does anyone have any bad things to say about them?

If not, I'm sold...

Cheers,

Mike.

[BIGKEV]

I was going to say something bad and comment on their price, but at $300 you seem to have negated that comment.....

[mingle]

From the research I've done, they seem to be a damn good reel and I'd certainly pick one over the
similarly sized Shimano (Saragosa) and Daiwa (Saltist) offerings.

[mingle]

Just in case the above picture isn't clear enough

[Occy]

Just in case the above picture isn't clear enough

Yeh they are disgraceful, repugnant, filthy and immoral things. As that disgusting photo shows. It's nothing but porn, "reel" porn. So stop it before i go blind.Where are the mods when you need them?

[kayakone]

No way Mike. That can't be waterproof...it's full of holes!

Trevor

[feelfree09]

they definately look "the goods" i'd buy it just coz it looks freakin awesome!

[SharkNett]

I saw this on the dinga site you posted in the other thread and wanted one straight away. Could not find anyone else matching thier price either (not checked postage yet tho). Unfortunately I my work contract will be ending in the next few weeks so can't take advantage unless someone offers me a job before the sale ends. If they do I may celebrate with a purchase.
Maybe PM Sunshiner as I seem to remember he has at least one Van Staal.

Rob

[mingle]

I know, it's one of the very few inanimate objects that I've taken a shine to, based upon appearance alone...

It seems to be perfectly suited to yak-fishing, as it's built to be pretty water-resistant.

Here are another couple of happy customer:

http://www.stripersonline.com/t/798999/ ... taal-vm150

http://215fishspot.blogspot.com.au/2011 ... -hour.html

Cheers,

Mike.

[Marty75]

http://www.motackle.com.au/index.cfm?pr=product&product_id=8164

[SharkNett]

One of the locals just may have caught them out on thier pricing policy and be the reason for that discount

Rob

[mingle]

That'll be me....

I tested their new "10% promise" and it seems like they came good - I got it for $275 shipped!

One of the locals just may have caught them out on thier pricing policy and be the reason for that discount

Rob

[haynsie]

I'd love to read your review of it Mingle, I've been lusting after Van Staal reels after I saw one in the US a few years ago. They are so frick'n sexy it's not funny.

Cheers

Tim

[nezevic]

I'd love to read your review of it Mingle, I've been lusting after Van Staal reels after I saw one in the US a few years ago. They are so frick'n sexy it's not funny.

Cheers

Tim

+1 i'm interested to see what your thoughts on it are too.

[spooled1]

Here's a review I wrote back in June 2011 on the (waterproof) VS150 series: http://www.fishingworld.com.au/news/tes ... taal-vs150

It's now end March 2012 and my VS150 got another walloping today on the yak. In more than 18 months ownership and smashing it with often full saltwater immersion I have NEVER needed to open this reel - not ever. It just get a freshwater rinse after every trip and about every 2 months I spray the outer case with Lanox.

Upsides: Absolutely 100% waterproof internals, really tough, strong drag, good line capacity, loud clicker, defintaly the best yak reel I've owned for reliability without needing maintenance.
Downsides: Weird hourglass line lay (on my reel with 30lb braid), drag knob a bit small and you really need to work it to tighten the drag, in lumpy or very windy seas the line sometimes lifts off the unbailed roller bearing - For the yak I'd choose the bail armed option if I had a choice. Also, the cranking doesn't have that mega smooth feeling of Stellas etc, where the handle keeps spinning. It feels more like a solid workhorse that you keep winding up.

Re: The VM series - It isn't classified as "waterproof" so if I had the $$$ I'd choose the VS series because they are.