Question for any experienced gun techs (RESOLVED)

[Marauder211]

I have a VZ58M long version that I bought as a bonyard project and needs a mosfet replacement, thing is Ares being Ares they love proprietary stuff and I can't find their mosfets anywhere in the uk, the Czech sites I have visited all don't shop to the UK so I am wondering this: would and V3 gearbox be it Ares or any other brand work in this gun? Or am I just out of luck? If I can't get it working that sucks but it was a freebie along with a compact VZ58 that works.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hudson]

Unfortunately it's its own style of gearbox, so a V3 wouldn't fit.

I've had the same issue in the past myself tbh and I had to message Ares directly, so that's probably your best bet; they were fairly prompt with sending out a replacement, but that was a few years ago now.

I could use a couple of the mosfets myself really, so let me know how you get on if you do!

 

[ak2m4]

I don't think I've ever seen an ARES v3 gearbox, however their V2's were originally ZCI's micro-switch design.  Does it look like this?

View attachment 122602

 

[Marauder211]

Unfortunately it's its own style of gearbox, so a V3 wouldn't fit.

I've had the same issue in the past myself tbh and I had to message Ares directly, so that's probably your best bet; they were fairly prompt with sending out a replacement, but that was a few years ago now.

I could use a couple of the mosfets myself really, so let me know how you get on if you do!

Sadly that's what I suspected, I'll just have to keep searching. For some reason Ares aren't getting back to me about anything and I have checked my spam filter, it's been over 3 weeks ? I'm determined though, I will find this part

I don't think I've ever seen an ARES v3 gearbox, however their V2's were originally ZCI's micro-switch design.  Does it look like this?

View attachment 122602

Hi, so I had a look at what the gearbox looked like and it sadly doesn't look like that. But I do have an image of that gearbox. Would you be able to make any special orders if I find the specific part i am after? If you're only able to get the gearbox that is equally fine as it will be working.

View attachment 122608

 

[Lozart]

I have a VZ58M long version that I bought as a bonyard project and needs a mosfet replacement, thing is Ares being Ares they love proprietary stuff and I can't find their mosfets anywhere in the uk, the Czech sites I have visited all don't shop to the UK so I am wondering this: would and V3 gearbox be it Ares or any other brand work in this gun? Or am I just out of luck? If I can't get it working that sucks but it was a freebie along with a compact VZ58 that works.

Thanks in advance.

As has been mentioned above, get in touch with them directly https://www.eshop-aresairsoft.com/index.php?route=information/contact

They've always been very helpful when I've bought stuff direct!

 

[Marauder211]

As has been mentioned above, get in touch with them directly https://www.eshop-aresairsoft.com/index.php?route=information/contact

They've always been very helpful when I've bought stuff direct!

Third time's a charm. I am going direct with their email this time. Btw, I got my M4 back and it fires like an Uzi, it's a beast, feeding issues are all sorted too!

 

[Skara]

People who still buy Ares deserve the horrible experience they get.

Change my mind

 

[ak2m4]

@Marauder211 Definitely try the official guys first

 

[Marauder211]

People who still buy Ares deserve the horrible experience they get.

Change my mind

They were second hand

 

[BigStew]

My Flat mate has got two sadly expensive piles of scrap because Ares don't sell the parts despite both guns are still in production. 

 

[Skara]

I mean, every Ares out of the box needs, as a bare minimum to keep the gun going for *at least* 6 months:

New bushings,

New piston body,

New o-rings,

New nozzle,

New tappet plate,

New hop rubber.

That's out of the box, no matter what gun or gearbox version it is.

Once you do these things you still have a gun with proprietary parts that can't really be modified without spending way too much.

Back on topic, I did ask Ares about something a while ago and it took ages for them to respond, but at that point I had already sold the gun.

 

[Marauder211]

Worst part is I can't disagree that Ares are a pretty bad at worst and hit or miss at best, I've started calling them Arse because of it. Don't get me started on the proprietary crap. If I could turn back time I would've saved my money and gone for the CM16 from G&G, you have upgradability and durability too.

BUT the compact VZ58 I have is gun to shoot, and I bought it along with the long one (which I see as a freebie as it was boneyard and I knew that going into the perchase). I got 2 guns valued at around £350 for £200 for both

 

[ak2m4]

@Marauder211 tried to message you on FB but I think you've got some security on your account which prevents me..I've got a feeling the ZCI v3 uses the same shitty ETU board.  That being said it's so hard getting individual parts sent over.  I don't even deal much with ZCI anymore, went downhill when they got bought out by a bigger firm.

Need someone in the UK airsoft scene like StezStix Fix ?

View attachment 122618

 

[Marauder211]

@Marauder211 tried to message you on FB but I think you've got some security on your account which prevents me..I've got a feeling the ZCI v3 uses the same shitty ETU board.  That being said it's so hard getting individual parts sent over.  I don't even deal much with ZCI anymore, went downhill when they got bought out by a bigger firm.

Need someone in the UK airsoft scene like StezStix Fix ?

View attachment 122618

It's a shame that we can't just design an ETU board that is compatible and more durable

 

[Skara]

Unfortunately it's its own style of gearbox, so a V3 wouldn't fit.

Is there that much dimensional difference? Or can one bodge a regular v3 with a dremel, a file and a drill?

 

[ak2m4]

It's a shame that we can't just design an ETU board that is compatible and more durable

It's pointless really, would cost quite a bit in time and money and will just encourage Ares to make more proprietary parts!   @Skara has the better idea, try to make a standard V3 fit

 

[Marauder211]

Is there that much dimensional difference? Or can one bodge a regular v3 with a dremel, a file and a drill?

It's a worthy experiment, I could talk to RAT about it, design wise the VZ58 mimics the AK 

 

[Marauder211]

I mean, every Ares out of the box needs, as a bare minimum to keep the gun going for *at least* 6 months:

New bushings,

New piston body,

New o-rings,

New nozzle,

New tappet plate,

New hop rubber.

That's out of the box, no matter what gun or gearbox version it is.

Once you do these things you still have a gun with proprietary parts that can't really be modified without spending way too much.

Back on topic, I did ask Ares about something a while ago and it took ages for them to respond, but at that point I had already sold the gun.

Yeah, that happened to my gun, the bushings rounded out and caused the original to cease up, really annoying, I anagram Ares to Arse, they're not worth it but like I said, the compact 58 works well for now, my Classic Army on the other hand, is the most reliable gun I own.

Is there that much dimensional difference? Or can one bodge a regular v3 with a dremel, a file and a drill?

On the topic, with Ares being Arse they would likely have something like a body pin position be different to prevent that

 

[Hudson]

I mean, every Ares out of the box needs, as a bare minimum to keep the gun going for *at least* 6 months:

New bushings,

New piston body,

New o-rings,

New nozzle,

New tappet plate,

New hop rubber.

That's out of the box, no matter what gun or gearbox version it is.

Once you do these things you still have a gun with proprietary parts that can't really be modified without spending way too much.

Back on topic, I did ask Ares about something a while ago and it took ages for them to respond, but at that point I had already sold the gun.

Not wanting to jinx myself, I've been lucky enough with my VZ58s to get away with just a bucking and barrel change for most of the 7+ years I've had them.

The ETU is where I've had issues unfortunately!

Is there that much dimensional difference? Or can one bodge a regular v3 with a dremel, a file and a drill?

I think it would be beyond that unfortunately.

IIRC, the cylinder head and nozzle sit much lower than they do on normal gearboxes, and the motor attachment is more akin to a V2, where you screw the grip directly into the gearbox shell, rather than having a motor cage.

I'll try to dig out one of my spare gearboxes and get some photos.

Photos of a V3 and two VZ58 boxes, with and without the trigger board & motor guide.

View attachment 122629

View attachment 122630

View attachment 122631

View attachment 122632

 

[Marauder211]

Not wanting to jinx myself, I've been lucky enough with my VZ58s to get away with just a bucking and barrel change for most of the 7+ years I've had them.

The ETU is where I've had issues unfortunately!

I think it would be beyond that unfortunately.

IIRC, the cylinder head and nozzle sit much lower than they do on normal gearboxes, and the motor attachment is more akin to a V2, where you screw the grip directly into the gearbox shell, rather than having a motor cage.

I'll try to dig out one of my spare gearboxes and get some photos.

Photos of a V3 and two VZ58 boxes, with and without the trigger board & motor guide.

View attachment 122629

View attachment 122630

View attachment 122631

View attachment 122632

A cheeky request: do you have any working VZ58 gearboxes lying around that you'd be willing to part ways with? I don't mind if it doesn't have a mosfet since I only plan on running 7.4v anyways.