VTTrader: Cms

Hi claude, thank you for the heads up on VT Traders language. thats good to know that it's Meta Stock based. I've always been happy with Meta Stock, I've been updating their program since version 2.0. Wow I'm getting old! I thought that MetaTrader originated in Salt Lake City which is where the Equis office is located. I'm slowly learning more on the system side of the platform, one day I'l try my had at a program.
OH !! also KC... the weather was great this weekend, we had a cold front blow in Friday and the temp dropped down to 48 - 51 degrees with no clouds ! It's ashame it doesn't stay that way year round.

I use the VT platform exclusively for Forex and have done so for around two years. In 2004 the demo platform was unstable with various log in and drop out issues but this seems to be solid now in 2006 (IMHO) I have a real money account which uses different servers and I have never experienced any problems. I like the functionality of VT and the Virtual Charts forum is a very valuable source of trading ideas and customised indicators/systems. I also find tech support at CMS very responsive and helpful.

No I don't work for them !! Looking at feedback on various forums most brokers have advantages & disadvantages and a few ITproblems so best to find a graphic package you like and with solid tech/admin support and stay with it unless you are keen on a particular system and that is only available say through MT4 then maybe you need to re-consider --- but " the grass always looks greener " etc

HTH Bramhall17

hmmm Interesting I have a VTtrader account and was ALWAYS having diconnects problems and lost money thanks to this BS problem. I went with FX with better pip spread. I do like the charting packages though with the VT I would love to use a auto system I have with them if I could find a programmer for there system. Sadly I feel better knowing I wasn't the only one yelling over the phone at them.

Hey guys !! I have also experienced the same bad experience from CMS – VT Trading Station - their customer or tech support, when I had the demo platform. I have seen only the negative with them not only from this thread and also from other similar message boards. I have been with FX Solution thru their ‘IB’ www.infinitybrokerage.com or www.proedgefx.com for the last two years…. great service ….. lot more potential to make more money thru hedging position. Check them out see other unparallel benefits that they are offering such as high leverage, free daily webinar etc.

Ditto. Like today, for instance. I got disconnected no less than 4 times, right around the FOMC news release, so I couldn't do any channel breakout trading on the news even if I wanted to.

CMS has a very cool charting application as well as the ability to program your own auto-trading models, but if their server connections are so clogged and easily dropped, what's the point??

I'm pulling the rest of my funds out and probably going to Interbank FX as they use MetaTrader as their order platform, which I really like.

- Ian

I do not know whether CMS operates more than one server, but I can honestly testify that I did not meet any of the connection problems Ian experienced.
During the ten minutes before the FOMC news release until about 30 minutes afterwards, I was able to follow the frenzy movement of the currency pairs, pip for pip, without my charting program (VT trader) freezing for a moment. I watched a.o. the 1-minute chart, and I saw the candles move continuously. I even ventured to gain some pips, not too many, as the volatile movement of the rates backed me off, and - O K, I admit - it took some time to get my trade executed.

I don't care what others think of CMS, I am satisfied and everybody is entitled to his/her opinion, but I am glad I can voice a more positive view among all these negative ones. It's only fair.

Aroon

Exactly, I had VT open just to see the reactions during news time...... totaly bombed on me. I had my FX Sol open and not one problem and never have and made 45 pips easily due to the quick fill on my order. One other thing that ticks me off which was mentioned above FILLING a order is insane with CMS it takes multiple confirms which is one more than FX Sol and it takes forever compared to FX Sol to confirm price. It takes oh two secs at most with FX Sol and about 5-6 easily and worse in high volume somtimes. That is the reason I like the platform of FX Sol better but without a doubt I wish FX Sol had VT charts which are some of the best for a broker period. That is why I use esignal.

Anise,

I've been trading with IBFX now for about 6 months and love them. Of course, I haven't had any major problems, so I don't know how they would resolve big issues. On the other hand, I haven't had any major problems.

There were a couple of times when I couldn't connect to the server. But, it didn't last long and it wasn't during an expected move. Their spreads are really good. Keep in mind that they are variable and can widen during highly volatile sessions. I've seen this happen a few times but, again, it didn't impact my trading at the time.

There's another broker out there that, based on feedback from my other trader buddies, that I could also recommend. They're called CFG Trader (http://www.cfgtrader.com/). They use the MetaTrader platform and offer the same good spreads as IBFX.

If you're a new trader, IBFX is nice because they offer "micro" lots, which are 1/10th of a mini lot. The EURUSD would trade for about $0.10 per pip per micro lot movement. It's nice to get a feel for real trading when money is at risk, but not risk so much that you can't try out your strategies.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

stockwet

Based on my experience and those of my trading peers, I suggest that you stay away from Interbank-FX. They manipulate access to their servers at periods of higher volatility and also "adjust" their spreads on a frequent basis. If you go with IBFX be prepared to swallow a spread of 14 pips on GBPUSD on a regular basis. They are cowoys and run their business like a backstreet casino.

I did experience the same especially heavy slippage for entry and exit, for the most of the time. I stayed with them only hardly two months and closed the account.


Based on my experience and those of my trading peers, I suggest that you stay away from Interbank-FX. They manipulate access to their servers at periods of higher volatility and also "adjust" their spreads on a frequent basis. If you go with IBFX be prepared to swallow a spread of 14 pips on GBPUSD on a regular basis. They are cowoys and run their business like a backstreet casino.

Gang
Always copy and save any and all live help chats with any broker. Doing this will save you a lot of problems should you disagree with what you were told and what they did.
Please wait for a site operator to respond.
http://server.iad.liveperson.net/hcp...o/chatinfo.gifYou are now chatting with 'Client Services'
Client Services: Hello, my name is Darrell, How may I help you?
you: why did the spread between the EUR/USD change from 2pips up to 5 pips right after today's data release. why is it not a consistant 2pips
Client Services: The news annoucements will affect the spread on the currencies
you: hmm very curious not averywhere else it doesn't
you: everywhere
you: you are the only place I have seen this happen
you: I have accounts at Refco-FXCM- and CMS and have never seen that vefore
you: before
you: why you?
Client Services: We allow you to trade during news annoucements
Client Services: other brokers do not
you: so do they
Client Services: Our market makers widen the spread during those times
you: why
you: you almost had all of my accounts right up until today
you: give me one good reason why only you widen the spreads
Client Services: during increased volitility like during news annoucement
Client Services: It is very risky trading therefore our maket makers widen the spread to offset the ridk
Client Services: their risk
you: if I am going to come to you to save a pip because I trade $50 pips what good does it do me if you widen them past the 3 pips I get at FXCM during data release days
you: instead of saving a pip trading with you will cost me 3
Client Services: That is only during news annoucements
you: that's when I trade
you: when the nonfarm payroll number comes out Friday why would I let you take extra pips from me when I can get 3 pips at FXCM
Client Services: Goo point
Client Services: Good point
you: if I make 5 trades that day trading with you will cost me between $500 to $750 in profit
Client Services: yes it could be that way if you trade during news annoucements
you: then I guess you would suggest I stay with FXCM?
you: any reason why I shouldn't
you: see you went from 2pips on the EUR/USD to 5 pips back down to 2 PIPS while we were talking and now back to 4 pips
you: doesn't seem quiote fair does it?
Client Services: they have dealing desk, we don;t
you: what do you have
Client Services: http://www.interbankfx.com/interbankvsothers.htm
you: what's the difference
you: if they can hold it to 3 pips why can't you hold your 2 pips?
Client Services: Our market makers adjust the spread
you: that seem very unfair
you: very dishonest
Client Services: it is very upfront way to deal with our clients
Client Services: unlike those companies tha thave a dealing desk
you: no keeping the spreads you advertise is upfront
you: thank you for your time

I'm just going to chime in on the thread based on my observations with 3 brokers that I have traded with.

First, FOREX.com...they are owned by GAIN capital, but nothing about their platform, I particularly liked. It was based in Java and often took a while to load over the web. They had that familiar "deal board" feature where you could push 1 button to buy at the bid/ask (big wow...blah). They did have OCO orders which was OK...BUT, you had to have an open position in order to place it...SO, it was useless if you're trigger trading while you go to work (I don't day trade, per se, I place breakout level orders based on analysis and then set stop levels). They DO have an API, but it wasn't particularly useful at the time. Plus, when I originally went with them, (years ago), their spreads for mini-accounts were 1 pip more than for larger accounts, and while I had a relatively large account with them, I couldn't trade mini-lots (and I always like having that option) unless I paid the 1-pip premium. Furthermore, you can only trade mini's until you have $25,000 in your account at which point, you HAVE to move up...my profit growth stratgies make use of the smaller increments, so it was semi-useless. I never experienced stop-gunning, so I can't say they were mavericks or dishonest, but trade liquidity was decidedly low. If you wanted to trade any more than 25 lots (regular OR mini depending on your account) you absolutely HAD to call the trade desk...not that I minded, but I'm sure day traders would. Their margin levels were 200:1 and lower.

Now, MBT...MBT has a REALLY solid API and quote server. As I noted in a previous post (you can do a search for posts I made in reference to this), I have only had one instance where the trade server unexpectedly went down for more than 2 minutes. All other times, the servers were scheduled to go down. Now, here's the caveat...they don't have historical quotes YET, nor do they have a charting package of any sort. They interface with a few charting packages, but nothing worth noting as of yet. They are schedule to roll-out a branded MetaTrader 4 platform, so that may be good news for some of you. Like I said, they are absolutely solid in terms of giving you rates...furthermore, I've been tracking the bid/ask and price and everything is within the typical 1-5 pip spread...word of caution, though, spreads DO fluctuate...they don't stay at certain pip spread...so sometimes the spreads will be 1-pip (EURUSD and USDJPY during high volume) and sometimes they will spread farther apart, but I have never seen it abnoxiously large...in otherwords, they will always be inside of most brokers spread...(most brokers have 3-pip spreads for EURUSD and USDJPY 4-pip spreads for GBPUSD and USDCHF...MBT will always be less than or equal to those spreads with MOST of the time being less)...as stated as volume goes up, spreads tend to tighten unless the market is really one-sided (which is rare). So, if you can deal without the historical quotes and charting, you're good to go. Their trading "navigator" platform really sucks to trade with as it isn't very useful, but other people have built platforms that suit them just fine...and with a great API and good tech support, and a lot of motivation and programming time, you can build a customized platform for yourself...which is much more than most brokers can offer you at this time. Their margin level is 100:1 (nothing more, nothing less).

FX solutions is a recent acquisition of mine and in the 6 months that I have demo-traded them, they seem to be pretty decent. I only recently started trading my account with them, but so far, my win % with them is at 100%. They don't offer anything spectacular, but most of my losses occur when my stops aren't precise or the timing of the entries are bad. These "timing" issues occurred all the time with FOREX.com (buy stops would hit levels and never activate or activate at a slightly higher price). What's also cool with these guys is that you can place secondary order levels, so let's say you activate a trade a certain level, immediately following that, you can trigger stop and take-profit levels. So, for me, this is excellent because I can set a buy stop, and then a stop-loss and take-profit level, go to work and forget about it. Like I said, I only started trading with FX Solutions last month, but I place about 1 trade a day, and so far everything has gone according to plan with them. I was just really worried that my buy-stop would be hit and my trigger levels wouldn't and I'd end up on the wrong side of the trade. Apparently, with these guys, it's not a problem...yet. And like I said, you can hedge, so you can actually place 2 orders for the same currency (with SL and TP levels on both) in different directions...so that adds an extra dimension of risk-management. Their margin level is 400:1 and lower.

Hope this helps.

Nobody is saing nothing about oanda, are they bad? Or what?
For a java platform... is execelent, don't freeze, quick conection, quick execution.

Hi all traders,

I'm a newbie, just want to ask if any traders in this forum have demo account with other brokers, beside CMS? I love VT platform, but Im not inspire by CMS server. Well since the demo have so many problem, bugs, I wonder how would it be with the live server? I have a couple of brokers here that use VT, please let me know if anyone have experience with any of the brokers? And what are the result?
1- ecnbroker.com
2-pinnacle-exchange.com
3-moneyforex.com
4-activtrades.com
5-akforex.com (partnership with CMS)
6-trading-fx.com
Here also a interesting link regarding CMS platform: creativescience.com/customers/casestudy1.shtml
And I have question for traders if they do live trading, is it any difference in demo feed and live feed? I thank you for the answer.

Josephine

The Live server is much more stable. They use the demo server as kind of a beta test of thier new features. Why they do this I will never know because it gives them such a bad rep. check all of the threds here about them and look at the replys from folks who have been using them live and liking them and you will see that the live server is markedly different from the demo server.

edit PS add http://www.richmondfx.com/index.shtml to the list of VT users

Oh! just a quick bit for you all to ruminate on and do a bit of research upon; methinks that some of the VT brokers before refered to just might be using CMS servers. I have some proof, but not enough to point the purple finger, as it were.

I am presently using CMS -- have mixed feelings due to the order execution -- however there is a configuration that does speed that up -- Go to your side menu, Options/General/General Properties (the little +s) -- and on the General Properties window, uncheck "display order confirmation window". That takes out a whole step in sending your order and speeds things up quite a bit.

All the best
Kiwigold

CMS have a "white label" program -- so it is very likely that most if not all of the VT brokers are in fact CMS.

all the best
Kiwigold

Verrrry astute, That was my first clue. The next clue to check out is to open a demo account at CMS with the whackiest name that you can think of; then go to one of the others and try to open an account under the same name. I bet it won't let you because that wierd name has already been taken.

Hi all,

Thank you so much for all the details, since i'm very early in the stage of demo trading, not quite sure what does it mean "white Label"? To my guess is that CMS is a mother company, and give a private label name to the brokers that use VTtrader that claim they are individualy. Am I correct? So what does market maker mean than? Are they interchangeable? Are there any authority website that we can check on these brokers?

Josephine