ged Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) I have had an interest in buying this reel for a while. I have known this reel as the Trydent SeaProof, the Blue Marlin BMT, The 3-Tand Submariner, The RK-Sports Sub Aqua and now it bears the name Van Staal VR150. I want to mention that Van Staal has been good to me over the years. This is the 15th Van Staal I have owned (If I remember them all). I have owned every size and version except for the 300 size and the new X series. I have received exceptional customer service buying replacement parts directly from Tulsa and through River's End. More than once I was given "upgraded" parts without charge. I currenlty own 3 Van Staal including the new VR. I am also a very happy customer of ZeeBaaS. I have owned 3 and currenlty own 2. ZB has delivered exceptional customer service and support. I am excited I have some new aluminum bumpers on their way to me to replace my fugly plastic bumpers. I will post these when I receive them. I ordered the reel from River's End 1/25. They don't currently do web sales, but I think they will soon. I called them and ordered this the old fashion way. They processed my order and I received the reel today 1/26 - about 24 hours turn around. Pretty good people over there. They do have a few more reels in stock for those that are looking. In addition, they are a Van Staal repair center so they can repair your reel if for some reason you have issues. Their repair guy "Q" is very good. Back to the VR : Lets Compare it to a ZeeBaaS27 - Van Staal VSB150 - Van Staal 150N Lets get inside Deeper Even Deeper VS150 Bail - VR150 Bail VS150 Gear - VR 150 Main Gear ZB Body - VR Body ZB Pinion - VR Pinion ZB - VR Rotor Cup "thingamombobber" So what are my first impressions? 1) Don't sell your reels yet, this reel is not at the same level as the ZeeBaaS or Van Staal VSB/VS 2) There is a distinct "knock at top and bottom of shaft travel and slight wobble in the rotor (worse than VSB but better than VS150N) 3) The reel is NOT smoother than ZeeeBaaS or VSB, but is smoother than the VS150N 4) The main shaft on the VR has much more deflection under pressure than the ZB, VSB or VS 5) The finish on VR is inferior (even without scratches direct from factory) The Bad: Lubricant leaking from the main body/rotor cup "thingamombobber" O-Ring to seal body Scratches brand new in box: The ZeeBaaS and Van Staal VSB/VS series are not water proof. Both are very water resistant and require maintenance to prevent damage. I cannot see this current design being superior to ZB in any way. Due to poor pinion removal design on VSB/VS service is easier on the VR then the other VS reels. I will add a video of the noise my VR makes when reeling. Edited January 27, 2016 by ged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Now it is time to read the owners manual Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) Forgot to mention: The Delrin handle (also found on 3-Tand Fly Reels) feels cheap and I hate it The drag even when loose never allows the spool to spin freely like the VS/VSB reels The drag clicker is quiet, but mounted internally - I remove my drag clickers and haven't gone inside the drag yet Edited January 27, 2016 by ged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 The sound of the new reelIMG_2764.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) VSB150 - VR150 Main Gear and Gear Covers Edited January 27, 2016 by ged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) Main shaft keeps coming out with new lubricant even though I have wiped it off at least 10 times. Edited January 27, 2016 by ged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 When my ZB and VS piss lube onto the main shaft that means water can get in. It is possible that there is just too much lube in my pinion assembly and that is the source of the lube on the main shaft. Only one way to find out if it leaks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
levari Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) PM if you need a recommendation for a good bodyguards agency.. Edited January 27, 2016 by levari Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 UPDATE: Found owners manual, learned nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChasingTales Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Ged how is that upper seal on the shaft usually on my ZB if the oring is worn more lube comes out. In this case is it a tight seal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recoil Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 ged, Do me a favor, while you have everything torn apart can you let me know if the VS and ZB power knobs will fit the VR. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 I use Rheolube on my pinion gear and 90W gear lube as well. I get oil leaking. I fish heavy current (CCC) and I believe when the spool (main shaft) is extended it puts a lot of pressure on the main shaft and I get oil passing through the quad seal onto the shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChasingTales Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 If Iam not mistaken the knock your feeling at the top and bottom is the transverse guide rocking from one side to the other. The ZB has that issue if the nut isnt tight enough or if it's to tight and the guide gets cocked a little Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ged Posted January 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 If Iam not mistaken the knock your feeling at the top and bottom is the transverse guide rocking from one side to the other. The ZB has that issue if the nut isnt tight enough or if it's to tight and the guide gets cocked a little You may be correct. There is a lot of clearance between the side cover and the traverse guide rollers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avet4life Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 If i know nothing about van staal, and looking at the pics. The VR look more like the Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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