TLC vs. ULCS

So after wanting to kill my strobe arm about halfway through my dive on saturday I concluded I need something with a ball joint both at the top of my handle and at the base of the strobe.

My curent setup is a ike arm with a 4" section and a 6" section for macro with two ball joints, at the strobe and between the two sections, the 4" mounting straight to the handle via ike's fancy handle attachment.

I would like two 6" sections with 3 ball joints for each strobe, plus a mount off of the right arm for a focus light, preferably removable for when ambiant light is plentiful or i don't feel like toting around more stuff than nessisary (high surf day, wreck diving, etc...)

I've narrowed it down to either TLC or UCLS- I like the ucls tripple ball joint for attacting a larger focus light/dive torch if nessesary, but the tlc attachment is easier to remove when its not. I also like ucls's bouyancy arms but PVC makes more sence to me because A) its cheaper, and B.) if i'm not diving with my full kit I can remove it as needed.

what do you all use and how do you like it? do the o-rings on the ball joints make a huge difference? (ike doesnt have them and i have no issues with slipping, just manipulating with only 1 movable arm section)

I'm in no big hurry but I like learning as much as possible before making too many considerations...

thanks,

Mike

Never had the UCLS but have enjoyed my TLC arms. The wheel shaped tightening knobs, along with no orings give it a slight advantage IMO.

I use them interchangeably and all mixed up. Adding the 1" ball Ike parts as well. They all work fine. Though I like the TLC arms best.

I use ULCS arms, i bought them because with them being a company that specializes in arms i figured they would be the best.

However, sometimes they can be very annoying! Getting the tension just right to support my strobes and still be able to move them can be pot luck, i guess the orings are getting old. But i have been a little envious of others with TLC arms as theirs don't make them swear underwater. Either that or they do it more quietly then me!

Getting the tension just right to support my strobes and still be able to move them can be pot luck, i guess the orings are getting old.

I have ULCS arms, including some used ones that have been around the block. Take off an oring, take it to an oring supplier, where they will measure it with calipers and sell you the exact same thing for peanuts. I have a bag of the right size, and replace every eon or so. Makes all the difference.

I also have some TLC stuff which is great too, but the knobs are too large, and get in the way (with accessory connections). I prefer the new style ULCS clamps, which allow greater range of motion.

Cheers,

Marli

come on people- defend your arms!

anyone got anything else I havn't looked at?

-M

I think the TLC arms are prettier and I like the big round knobs, but I like the ULCS clamps and the bouyancy arm options. I don't use strobes large enough to have an opinion on the o-rings.

The parts are mix-and-match and that's what I do. I put TLC knobs on ULCS clamps and use whatever arms make the most sense. My rig is more of a fashion statement that way.

come on people- defend your arms!

-M

One thing that makes a difference for me is that I use a wet-mount INON lens. The caddy for that lens won't bolt through the TLC arms. So, I need at least one ULCS segment. If bouyancy arms are your thing, also look at the arms and foam add-on options from:

http://www.4gdphoto.com/catalog/index.php?...ex&cPath=11

Mike

I had ULCS arms and joints with my previous set-up. When I had had enough of carrying a lot of bulky gear around I sold it all and started out from scratch. I was not initially thrilled with my current Inon arms and joints but now that I've put 4th Gen floats (4 total) on two 7 inch arms they work great. I had previously considered going back to ULCS but I'm happy now. Don't see a lot of people using them though.

Jeff

One thing that makes a difference for me is that I use a wet-mount INON lens. The caddy for that lens won't bolt through the TLC arms.

True. I solved the problem with zip ties, one of the 3 greatest inventions of the modern era, along with duct tape and silicon.

FWIW, I dont think there is a radical difference between TLC and UCLS in practise. I dont see the point of O-rings in a clamp, not when the non-O-ringed TLC arms works so well. But that is just me. Dont think you can go wrong with either arm.

Vandit

Inon arm floats attach to ULCS arms but not to TLC arms as well. I like the Inon floats and wish there were more sizes available.