Van Staal Reel Servicing Turnaround = 6 Weeks!

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

I can hear Toby already, , but who would really want to own one of those hunks of chit? A shop in Falmouth now stocks them and for the life of me I don't get it. Get a Daiwa Saltiga if you want to pay big dough. I have played with both and at least those reels seem like they "might" be worth it.

VS=

OK Toby, you may fire at will.

Already made the switch. At the start of last season, I owned 5. This season is about to start and I own 1. I did buy a pretty Saltiga not too long ago. I dumped the VS's for the reason stated by Ben, paying for the yearly service. That is my major gripe with them. This damn Saltiga better work out. As I told Ben when we were talking this past weekend, I spend all this $$ on spinning reels and still throw conventionals 75% of the time. My problem lies in the times I do throw spinning, I need something that is capable of being under water, handling braid, and is "fail safe". It would be so much easier if I didn't fish so damn much.

[Mr. Sandman]

I don't get the expensive service and no decent warrenty on a costly reel. I could probably use a saltiga for those exteme nights but I would like to hear how diawa handles the service first. So I am waiting for Toby to test drive it first. Next year. For now I will stick with what is working for me.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

I could probably use a saltiga for those exteme nights but I would like to hear how diawa handles the service first.

I'm thinking you could probably get it done at any Daiwa warranty center. Is Bucko's a Daiwa service center?

Dunno how Daiwa's factory parts/service folks are--I've only used them to get a spare spool and some bearings for my old Sealine Slosh-30. They shipped the parts fairly quickly and billed me later.

And I don't think you'd void any warranty by doing self-service. Altho I don't know whether I'd like tackling a 15 bearing gizmo.

[fishweewee]

I recall reading a thread (somewhere) where a U.S. Saltiga owner tried to get Daiwa USA (located in California) to service it.

Daiwa USA service department punted to Daiwa Japan.

...

[BCY]

I got my Saltiga from a tackle shop in NJ that will service the reel for free. Just pay for shipping to the shop. I would expect that parts would be extras.

[Mr. Sandman]

Originally Posted by fishweewee

Daiwa USA service department punted to Daiwa Japan.

...

If this is indeed the case, this would be my main concern...

As for "fixing it yourself"...sure you can pump some lube in it but I have reels I thought were fine and worked well, when I send them back, lots of parts got replaced (at no or little charge to me) that I would have not considered replacing. In some cases entire reels were replaced with new. Also, these new bearings are pretty high tech. Each has a version number. When you send the reel in for service they replace the bearings with the current state of the are version (again , no or little charge). (these are not cheap to buy off the shelf either) So I think it really pays to have someone who really knows what he is doing and knows where the key wear points and typical trouble spots are. This is why service is so important to me. I don't want to become a reel mechanic and I don't want to stock lots of parts....I have enough problems with plugs and jigs as it stands.

[fishweewee]

Well, for what it's worth, I called up the Daiwa service center in California.

Service for the Saltigas is not an issue - since they're being sold here (albeit on a limited basis - whaddya expect with an $800 reel!) ...

...they will be serviced here.

-WW

[spence]

Anyone know why the 4500 weighs less than the 4000???

-specne

[fishweewee]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

This damn Saltiga better work out.

Am very interested to hear your feedback on that very pretty reel. I might re-assess if the reviews come back positive.

[JoeP]

Fishweewee-

From talking to Toby a little over the past few months I don't think I put my reels through the same abuse as him (I don't skish or reel underwater but I do get my reels splashed & dunked alot), but to give you a quick review I fished 2 Saltigas all last year and they are as good as new still. Also, I did not pay $800 for them, you can find them around the same price as a VS.

This is after I fished 2 VS's for the 2 years before that and had albeit "small" problems with them (leaking oil & a tempermental drag knob), but still problems. I liked the VS's, but not nearly as much as the Saltiga's.

Joe

[chris L]

good thing your not an australian or a southern baptist !