looks like lokbox has brought something good to the table. are they easy to make fins for?. in that respect probox has ruled to date and also 4wfs. i think the new lokbox looks like a big improvement.
the key to these systems is a small footprint. one box. easy close tolerence route with a patch of glass over fcs fusion and the new lockbox look good
i think its all a much of a muchness , supply what your customer wants. all my mates ride fcs so its either fcs or probox for me
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Good question I reckon. Proboxes are easy enough to install and they surf really well. I think it’s just fin installers for the big companies who don’t want to learn a new system more than anything. Someone kick their asses…
The guys I have talked to doing production work want a glass in fin now. Not that probox isn’t strong but I managed board sales for a large surf shop in San Diego and the customers really started liking the futures bc of the glass in features and the fcs fusion came out and people where stoked bc they have so many fin choices. I have use lokbox and have the micro and micro plate on order for the end of this month. I like that my customers that have a hundred pair of fcs can still use them but I think the new lokbox fin templates are lookin good. I know the backyarders love the install on the probox and I think it is pretty sweet. I really like my vacum jig installer though it is so quick and percise no taping just line it up vacum it and route. Its fast and I can do single fin box’s of all sizes. I will so a write up of the microbox when they get in.
ohh to follow up its not the guys installing. its the customers demand. I have had to sell all my shop boards with the fcs adapters bc shop owners want everything fcs up here.
The reason is because big business side is involved in a circle jerk with others like themselves.
scboy4382, I could get into detail but in simple terms the reasons that larger companies haven't switch to ProBox yet is Politics and Money! Also the comment by Dean, installers in glass shops don't want to change their ways to install ProBox because of piece work pay. I have experienced installers at some glass shops installing ProBox like a FCS plug. After spending some time with them they realize the difference and how much easier the ProBox install is compared to a FCS plug. I find it amazing that most glass shops let the installer dictate the direction of what to put into boards, but that's Politics until the glass shop starts loosing customers because of it, which translates to loosing Money.
3 comments I always hear from guys why they don't use ProBox in their boards that I find amusing.
1.) ProBox is to complicated for the average surfer! That makes me laugh because they are implying your stupid, when really they are to lazy to explain the difference. You will see directions explaining Probox on Boards which "Bing" has been doing for years and others are starting to follow.
2.) This is another favorite comment of mine, "HOW MANY CHANGE THEIR CANT" This comment always makes me laugh from other companies when they are offering fins in 4 degree cants, 6 degree cants, and 8 degree cants go figure MORE fins you have to buy.
3.) And Last but not least the WEIGHT factor. I agree weight to some point isn't good in a surfboard, but a couple of grams come on LOL!!! Not to mention when people glass a board light and then use G-10 fins, Ah????????????? I don't know about you guys but I surf in the ocean, not on the beach. The surfboard builders must forget a board floats in water especially EPS boards that have more air inside.
scboy4382 big companies are always the last to change because of inventory and something new would obsolete their models. So the battle to fight change starts until consumer demand and custom board builders forces the change. And that market is where I focus on. Foamhead said it right, ProBox makes your board a Swiss Army Knife. Even if you don't use all the ProBox options why limited yourself, because one day will come when you will want to try something different and the costs of a new board may not be in the cards.
Something to think about when a company claims their board is the most "Hi-tech performance board made!" when it comes with a shipping system and "NO" adjustments that you have to buy all these different sets of fins to make it work.
Hope this answers your question scboy4382, good question by the way.
Mahalo, Larry
scboy4382,
Since I started my small company a couple of years ago I have tried a few fins system in the boards.
I have not tried ALL of course, but in looking at the systems and what they have to offer, ultimately PB was the only choice for my boards.
Many of the things Larry stated I have found through experience to be true in the industry.
I heard from a very reliable source that many of the industry heavyweights consider surfers like “lemmings” who will just follow whatever they dictate.
Personally, and as a company, I beg to differ. Inform, educate and empower.
My Pro rider is used to glass ons…and I have to admit…he did get a little frustrated at first. But the reason for his frustration was a simple lack of education. I said to him, “You are used to glass ons where you just have to learn to surf the board as is! If you are frustrated, just stick the fins in and learn to surf it that way.” Of course this was unacceptable. Because now that he has the ABILITY to dial in his board…he wants to.
After I educated him on how it works and what the different feels will be like…he is STOKED.
Imagine being able to dial your board in frontside, and have a different setup for backside without needing an A-symetrical board!
Not to mention, as a businessman, it also allows me to offer the broadest range of fins of ANY system with FCS, Probox, and Fibreglass Fins. Hell…if Futures fins are a customers favorites…bring them in and I’ll modify them to fit the ProBox!
Of course, as I stated earlier, the company is still pretty small…but it’s not going to change as we grow
[img_assist|nid=1050098|title=Synergy Surfboards|desc=Synergy uses ProBox exclusively|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=479]
well well well
look who came to the party!
Hi Toddster!
Hey there Ken!
Things have calmed down a touch…well…not really…at least the wife isn’t in the hospital anymore. LOL
Between business meetings, shaping, glassing, board orders are piling in and training a new assistant… stuff is still crazy…but every once in a while I lurk around to see what the gang is up to.
Long gone are the days of spending all my time in my favorite hangout…SWAYLOCKS!!!
Hey! Check out the new vid I just did for my pro guy (I used to do audio & video editing for a living)
I hate the music he chose … but whatever …it’s got a beat! LOL
Isnt that what this thread is now?
coool dude!
Don’t see how blower
Like most everybody else here…I’m still makin boards out of my garage.
I’d hardly call that big business.
was referring to “circle jerk”
Do you work for FCS blower? :)
naw, unemployed wish i had a job with anybody… fcs included 
just making an observation 
I have had boards with Probox, Lokbox, O’fishl, Futures, and original FCS. I have a board from Mike@Coil coming with fcs Fusion.
The only one that failed was FCS. The Futures were not a tight fit and wobbled. O’Fishl are kind of hard to change out.
The best are Probox and Lokbox. They are super solid at the base, and I actually think they are more solid that glassons.
In terms of surfing performance I don’t think there is much of a difference between them. One thing that I don’t like about either, is getting eel grass stuck in them.
Probox is easier, and cheaper to install than Lokbox. Lokbox is prettier, I think Probox inserts should come in two colors to match the boxes (white and black), and the cant information should be big on the bottom of the insert. IMHO.
As far as changing out the cant insert on Probox, I don’t do it a lot. Once I find a setup, for a board, that works I stick with it. The advantage is that you can use the same fins in a different board, and change the cant to match the board. An other advantage is that it is easier to make fins for Probox, because you don’t have to make the base, or foil in the cant. One more advantage is that when the fin base cracks, which I have had happen in both Probox and Lokbox, you just switch to a different insert, rather then sending the fin in for a repair.
funny 
observation
It makes sense that a forum filled with a bunch of backyarders would choose Probox, because it is cheap and easy to install. I am sure Lokbox would be just as popular, with backyarders, if the install kit wasn’t $250.
Actually, I believe that the simplicity of Probox's fin tab has a huge appeal to people that make their own boards and fins.
Nice looking boards.