Backscatter Atom Strobe caddy for OS-2 Snoot

Bracket and Clamp to store your OS-2 Snoot with the Backscatter Atom Strobe

 

A snoot is a fantastic way to make creative macro shots with underwater photography. The Backscatter Atom strobe is one of the best strobes on the market for macro photography and tailor made to use a snoot. The OS-2 snoot accessory for the Atom strobe is very easy to use, add, or remove underwater. But where do you store it when not actively using it during a dive? 

 

A short tether with a mini-bolt snap can secure it to your camera or BCD, but it dangles and might get in your way. A cleaner alternative is to make and use this bespoke caddy system to attach it securely to the strobe itself. It's easy to add or remove as needed, and strong enough that it's not going to fall off. (I still recommend also using a short tether and mini-bolt snap to clip off to a zip-tied o-ring on the ball mount, as seen in the photo)

 

This design will provide a simple and secure attachment bracket and clap to mount your OS-2 strobe. It's made of several parts:

 

• TPU rubber friction ring with key-bumps to align the ring. Slips over the ridges just in front of the optical port. This part can be left in place permanently and may provide some bump protection when the bracket is not installed.

• PETG bracket with inner grooves to align with the TPU ring. Reversable so the clamp can be place on the left or right side of the ball mount. It is secured with an M3x6mm screw and nut. 

• PETG clamp that slips over the mounting point on the bracket. Can be with fixed to the bracket with either the Hinge-Clip or a pair of M3x12 screws and nuts. 

• (Optional) Print in place Hinge-Clip. Using the Hinge-Clip makes is possible to remove the clamp without tools or loosing your screws and nuts between dives. This print in place hinge replaces the M3x12mm screws to mount the clamp that actually holds the snoot. The printed hinge-clip is very secure, but actual M3 screws and nuts are even more solid. Just less convenient if you wish the dive without the snoot or the clamp sticking out. The white dot on the Top Surface of the hinge needs to be aligned toward the body of the strobe to fit correctly. 

Filament Choice:

I strongly suggest using the recommended TPU and PETG combination. Don't use PLA. It might work in the short term, but PLA does not wear well in the water and sun. It can also be too stiff and brittle to work well for this design. It might also break unexpectedly when exposed to the elements. 

• The rubber friction ring must be some type of elastic TPU to slip over the strobe itself.

• The clamp, bracket, and hinge parts that actually hold the Snoot need to be flexible and resilient to bending over time. PETG is a good material for this purpose. ABS might work but could be too stiff.

The print in place hinge-clamp might need a little encouragement to break free and allow movement. Just work it gentle and slowly to snap any minor adhesion

Download from Makerworld:

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2564103-backscatter-atom-strobe-caddy-for-os-2-snoot#profileId-2825583

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Dave_Hicks

Action packed video of the caddy in action:

https://1drv.ms/v/c/1c711f3a2eaafc5a/IQAXlNU9vIqtTb1Eg_MEw78eATOEenpQuzxApTfg41iHoNw