VSM Reels

[tick911]

So my fencing club is thinking about taking advantage of the package deal offered on http://www.virtualscoringmachine.com/ (VSM software, 2 reels, adapter for $350). We are however, a little hesitant because we dont know anything about the reels being offered. From everything I've read the VSM is (seemingly) the future of scoring equipment as well as being a very solid product. anybody have any comments/criticisms of the VSM reels?

[noodle]

they are crappy. everything that is not the cable itself breaks easily.

or that is my $0.02, at least.

[Craig]

Agree with noodle. We took them to one tournament and let a club use them for a week and they are pretty much done.

I would not recommend them.

Craig

[SJCFU#2]

they are crappy. everything that is not the cable itself breaks easily.

or that is my $0.02, at least.

Agree with noodle. We took them to one tournament and let a club use them for a week and they are pretty much done.

I would not recommend them.

Craig

Could either of you provide a little more detail regarding how they failed?

Problems with the spring wouldn't surprise me, if only because I doubt that clothesline reels were ever intended for rapid cyclic use, but what about the tensioning cord (the part the actually runs into and out of the clothesline reel), the blocks, the end sockets, the wood base (seems unlikely that anyone could screw that up, but you never know)?

I've been toying with building a set using Shawn's original plans and parts salvaged from a pair of old (70's vintage) Prieur reels and would like to know what potential weaknesses to look out for.

[DHCJr]

The biggest problem with the use of this style reel is the same as it's predecer Challenger reels.

With regular reels, if someone steps on a floor cord, there is no problem. There is no floor cord with this system. The reel cord is the floor cord. If you step on this, it will stop the action.

Most people stay off the piste during a bout, but many are walking arount the piste. If they walk near the table side of the piste, they are likely to come in contact with the cords.

[NEAFA]

We use several VSM systems including the reels and have found them to be very reliable. Our club meets once a week for training and open bouting and we have been using them for about 6 months. I like that they are easy to set up and easy to store away.

I see that others have had problems, but the only thing that broke on one of ours was the carabiner clip and that was because a new student hooked it up incorrectly to his jacket.

I think its important to properly tape down the boxes and the cable that goes to the scoring machine (PC).

I hope this helps.
Best Wishes
Deb

[noodle]

Could either of you provide a little more detail regarding how they failed?

Problems with the spring wouldn't surprise me, if only because I doubt that clothesline reels were ever intended for rapid cyclic use, but what about the tensioning cord (the part the actually runs into and out of the clothesline reel), the blocks, the end sockets, the wood base (seems unlikely that anyone could screw that up, but you never know)?

I've been toying with building a set using Shawn's original plans and parts salvaged from a pair of old (70's vintage) Prieur reels and would like to know what potential weaknesses to look out for.

yes, the spring wore down pretty quickly such that there was permanent slack outside the casing. the spring wasn't ever that great, fencers could catch up with the recoil and get tangled easily even when they were new.

the casings for the connection to the body cord failed in multiple ways. one broke off, such that you couldn't put a connector of any kind onto it anymore w/o drilling or gluing or something similar. on the other, the screws eventually rattled loose and popped out. one went MIA, while the other was put back in.

one of the brackets on the wooden base for holding the wound up cord broke off, such that winding it up for travel/storage was tougher to do.



basically, it doesn't stand up well to regular daily wear and tear. actual electric cord itself seems to be of good quality, though.