sirspeedy,
Implicit in your message is that the risk of using these rings outweighs the benefits of using them. Obviously this is a value judgement which not everyone will share.
You also assume that using a "regular clamp" has less risk associated with it. Although I have not screwed up yet, as a user of such a (heavy)clamp I do not feel that its use is risk free and remain unconvinced that it is less risky than a ring.
You also assume that if you use it once you must use it always. However, if you feel that the risk/benefit ratio is unacceptably high for certain high-value records you might forego the ring for those special cases.
Finally, handling vinyl records inherently assumes risk. The most certain thing to do is to keep your records locked in a vault and never, ever touch them let alone play them.
Implicit in your message is that the risk of using these rings outweighs the benefits of using them. Obviously this is a value judgement which not everyone will share.
You also assume that using a "regular clamp" has less risk associated with it. Although I have not screwed up yet, as a user of such a (heavy)clamp I do not feel that its use is risk free and remain unconvinced that it is less risky than a ring.
You also assume that if you use it once you must use it always. However, if you feel that the risk/benefit ratio is unacceptably high for certain high-value records you might forego the ring for those special cases.
Finally, handling vinyl records inherently assumes risk. The most certain thing to do is to keep your records locked in a vault and never, ever touch them let alone play them.