bg reels

[MSUFENCER]

ok im looking into geting some reels what do people think of the BG ones?

[CvilleFencer]

They are crap. Spend a few extra bucks and get the Favero Milenium reels, or the PBT mercotic reels if you are able to get them from someone other than the US vendors and their 100% markup. They are both much better construted and will last much longer than the BG ones. If you would like more details on why the BG reels are crap let me know and I will try to post it tomorrow. Off to bed with the flu for now.

[MikeHarm]

I'm not sure about Favero, but I wouldn't recommend the PBT reels. I'd like to hear more about the BG reels.

[R. Exnicios]

We now have 5 sets of the Faveros and have 0 (zero) complaints or problems. Other than the odd fencer who feels the need to stand on the reel.

We have an assortment of reels, Uhlmann, Alstar, Leon Paul and even an old prieur and the Faveros out shine them all.

Well worth the $$

I just wish the Favero machines were as tuff!


Cheers

[CvilleFencer]

Originally Posted by MikeHarm

I'm not sure about Favero, but I wouldn't recommend the PBT reels. I'd like to hear more about the BG reels.

Okay, some of this is first hand and some is second hand. The first hand info is a little less detailed than I would like but the second hand stuff comes from people I tend to trust about equipment issues:

First hand: The BG reels are the old land mine style reels. The top mount for the reel cable makes them a bit of a pain to store and increases the risk of damaging them (dropping, stepping on, etc). The top mount also seems to put more stress on the socket heads if the reel is let go sharply as it slams into it and the ones I have seen either had no built in break system for the cable or it had broken. Also, again not sure if they come this way or this was the result of "repairs" but the three strand wire was exposed and did not have anything in the way of extra insulation or protective coating around them.

Second hand: The reels are very sensitive to shock such as being dropped and I have heard they can be a pain to repair as the springs are a bit difficult. I have also heard several complaints about the reel end socket coming apart or not fitting well, and they seem to dislike certain types of body cords and not work well with them giving frequent off targets for not reason.

However, it does seem that SG fencing has them onsale for 169.00. That is a very attractive price, but it also seems to reinforce the whole "you get what you pay for" thing that seems to be true with most of BGs house brand equipment (clothing and masks excepted). I would really reccomend the Favero reels for about 225-250 as the best of the "budget" reels that I have come across. Love the boxes to.

[fencinman89]

My club has 2 LP reels which have worked for quite sometime, with the exception of their sockets.... btu we also have 6 Uhlmann turtle reels, which we have never had a problem with. The construction is great theyve been stepped on a few times no problem, they easily store, their sockets are very durable and my only complaint is that after a while the cord starts to eat thru the housing but can easily be repaired.
-Tre'

[oso97]

Have to recomend the Favero reels. Another good thing about them, they're heavy enough that when you put them down at the end of the strip, they don't move. Much. A really hard flesche might displace them a little. Unlike the Ulh. turtles which have to be restrained to keep from "walking around." Heck, even at tournaments, you don't need to tape them down.

That weight DOES make for some fun storing and hauling them about, but that's made up for by the flat profile, which simplifies the storing issue in a different way.