Not sure how it could be different; holds the boom up (or down). Has enough mechanical advantage to make it east to pull in. The attachment points for the boom came loose, the result of less than careful gybes. They said just drill out the holes and go up a size on the machine screws. Been fine since (and I've been more careful.) I imagine that this is a problem for all vangs and not sure what could make it any better, other than perhaps slots llike in an Isomat boom or an internal backing plate.