Ever since I started playing airsoft, players have always tried to outdo, not only each other but also the rules that govern the game itself. Most players I have played with have at one time opened their gearboxes up and tried to push the power of their AEG to the limit of what they can get away with. And as some of game sites do not conduct a mandatory pre-game chrono measurement on players’ AEGs,  and most outdoor sites run a maximum of 350fps muzzle velocity for AEGs with full-auto firing mode, players most of the time do get away with using what we would consider “hot” guns or AEGs exceeding the acceptable muzzle velocity for a given airsoft skirmish site.

Personally, as a player, I have no problem with players using slightly higher powered AEGs but as a Marshall running an airsoft site, I would be crossed if I find players using “hot” guns in my site when we have clearly specified the maximum muzzle velocity we allow players to use.

Throughout the years that I have been playing, I think that I am very aware of what players do to try and “cheat” the chrono readings. Tricks range from using heavier BBs to putting tapes to partially block the muzzle opening all work to reduce the muzzle velocity at the time of measurement. The problem is not on cheating or using hot guns, but on the fact that if a player only has a budget to maintain one AEG, the player would constantly be messing about with the gearbox to replace the spring if he wishes to play in CQB site that run on significantly lower FPS levels. Tokyo Marui did come up with a velocity reducer device that attaches to the front end of the barrel replacing the flash-hider. Although the device does work to reduce the FPS reading, players who have used it have complained of severe accuracy problems. So what is needed is a device that can make the AEG switch between high power and mid power muzzle velocity to give the player that flexibility of using the AEG in both CQB and outdoor site without being at a disadvantage and without having the need to open the gearbox each time he plays at a different site.

When I first heard about the SAT VVD or Variable Velocity Device, I thought it was similar to the TM Velocity Reducer as I was told that you will not need to open the gearbox to adjust the muzzle velocity. When our friends from RA-TECH sent me the device, I was surprised to see that it was a device to replace the AEG’s current piston. The device is a fully assembled piston complete with the O ring. The difference with this piston is that the front end of it has a dial that adjusts via a screw driver that comes with the pack.

What this dial does is create two different degrees of air leak within the piston reducing the muzzle velocity as the air leak increases. And I think it is a very clever idea. Once installed, the device can be adjusted through the barrel of the gun via a screw driver set. The quality of both the screw driver and the piston VVD are very good. Both appear to have been made from high quality metal. The piston VVD does come with metal teeth which some players do not like as theses can damage the gears.

To try the device I asked my good friend from Rules of Engagement Airsoft Shop (ROE). Mr G, the boss of ROE, was very kind to offer a Cybergun AK 47 as a recipient AEG for the VVD. Installation was very simple as long as you know how to work around the gearbox. It basically was a simple piston change. We placed some lube to make the piston travel smoother. The initial or original FPS measurement of our recipient AEG was 367fps. We felt this was important to know to determine if the device will keep the AEG at this power on it normal or high power setting.

On the high power reading, the AEG measured at 332fps. Significantly lower than the original FPS reading, but nonetheless very good as it lowered the muzzle velocity to legal limits. The problem was on the following readings, the FPS became very unstable with the readings if going really low as you can see on the pictures.

We decided to leave it there and adjust it on the first level. This level, although still unstable, was better with a few consistent reading between 268 to 299 fps, again good for CQB games. The last or low level ranged from 182 to 187 fps.

In all, the SAT VVD is a very good device. The inconsistency in the reading may be due to various things. But if a player can make it work on his AEG, then it’s a great device to have and will give the flexibility in using one AEG for different game sites.

Pros:

• made of high quality material
• easy to install
• easy to adjust once installed
• gives flexibility to use one AEG in both outdoor and CQB sites

Cons:

• you will need to open your gearbox to install the device
• possibility of inconsistent FPS readings
• metal piston teeth can damage gears

Many thanks to RA-TECH for sending us the SAT VVD for review and Rules of Engagement for providing the AEG we used to install the device.