VKB Cams - Last Week, Yesterday, Today

[AeroGator]

So, what's that about cams in your Gunfighters being different? Some people're wondering, I only got my GF a few months back, and when I bought the second for my left hand now I saw the cams were different. How to tell older from newer? What cams are better?

Now, here is the story (and before the story, here is the picture).

 

 

The FIRST generation cams were CNC'ed from steel.

• Used in models: Mamba, Gladiator Pro, GF1, GF2.
  
• Good: hard, lasts forever.
  
• Bad: may corrode in humid climate, as well as during long sea shipment.
  
• Solution: this contradiction was dealt with by chromium powder plating.
  

While working on GF3, we thought what could be done to perfect the working surface smoothness in mass production. Inevitable tiny scratches called for hand polishing which in mass production is something we wanted to avoid by all means. Also, polishing would effectively damage the chromium plating, which in turn called for using of protective lubrication.

 

This is how hardened aluminum cams came, marking the SECOND generation of cams.

• Good: hard enough.
  
• Good: doesn't rust.
  
• Good: transparent electroplating offered further protection.
  
• Bad: sometimes we still had to hand polish the cams.
  
• Solution: eliminating CNC as such.
  

This brought to life the THIRD generation of cams. That would be cast rather than cut.

• What's new (i.e., Good): special proprietary steel alloy.
  
• Good: greatly improved resistance to corrosion.
  
• Good: nearly zero need in hand polishing.
  
• Good: chromium plating has no protective function and is merely used for visual pleasure.
  
• Bad: remains to be found... if any.
  

In a word, we made the cams nearly perfect. Cams are the heart of the gimbal, and this heart by VKB is strong, durable, reliable (and not easy to upset). Important: for the end users there is no detectable tactile difference at all. All difference is in technology and streamlining the production. Plus, of course, adding to longevity of the cams (but even the 1st gen cams in fact are made to last forever under normal usage conditions).

 

By the way... T-rudders are now sporting 3rd gen cams as well!

[dburne]

So reckon it is worth upgrading my Gunfighter Mk III Pro cams which I assume to be Gen 2 with these Gen 3?

[AeroGator]

So reckon it is worth upgrading my Gunfighter Mk III Pro cams which I assume to be Gen 2 with these Gen 3?

Nah I wouldn't worry. As I said, for the user the difference is merely psychological. But yes of course, we will gratefully take a few bucks from you :))

[dburne]

Nah I wouldn't worry. As I said, for the user the difference is merely psychological. But yes of course, we will gratefully take a few bucks from you :))

 

OK thanks much for the info.