Cloned arm systems from Hong Kong

I was wondering whether anyone has any opinions to share about these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-Quality-Delrin-Dou...=item3a554446ba

Specifically, I'm worried about a propensitity for the arm to flood, whether the construction is suitable and (hopefully) what buoyancy advantage may be derived.

The seller seems to have a very active ebay shop ( http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Bubble-Scuba__W0QQ_armrsZ1 ) and supplies a lot of clone arms at competitive prices

I have purchased some simple dumbell arms and Sea & Sea strobe adapters from this source and they are indistinguishable from the 'OEM' suppliers. Gratefull as always for any feedback.

Thanks, Tim

i really don't see any reason to buy something like this as opposed to the Stix arms

Hi Tim,

I bought some-they flooded and then the ball snapped off (for no reason) Alex was with me when it broke, so he can vouch for it!

I also have some adaptors from the same source, and they are OK-until the roll pin/grub screws that hold the knurled nuts on rust through!

I've learnt-and bought UCLS ones now and am very happy!

Best

Adam

Hi Tim,

I origanally used the ULCS double ball arms (non buoyant) and then switched to the ULCS buoyant arms to take some in water weight off of my rig. I found that the buoyant arms didn't do as much as I wanted and ended up switching back to the standard arms and adding Stix floats to them. I now have a neutral rig, the floats can be added or removed to adjust for differant port/lens combinations, and they weigh almost nothing for travel perposes. I didn't buy the Stix arms as I already had the ULCS so I can't comment on those only to say that they are very close in weight to the similar size ULCS, and the ULCS look as though they are stronger.

Mike

Hi Tim,

I bought some ULCS arms from the same seller and have since ordered some Stix floats for them.

Like Beach Bum I figure the standard arms plus Stix floats is a more flexible way to go, although in your

case you rigs buoyancy won't change unless you are looking to upgrade.

I can't comment on the float arms from that seller but was happy with the arms and service that I got from

that seller.

Cheers,

Jim.

Hi Tim,

 

I bought some-they flooded and then the ball snapped off (for no reason) Alex was with me when it broke, so he can vouch for it!

 

I also have some adaptors from the same source, and they are OK-until the roll pin/grub screws that hold the knurled nuts on rust through!

 

I've learnt-and bought UCLS ones now and am very happy!

 

Best

 

Adam

Thanks for your kind advice Adam. Flooded buoyancy arms are not what we need, eh?

As you have actually seen and handled these can I ask you some questions about them? I'm assuming the ball head inserts into the delrin cylinder body. That being the case is the insert protected with user servicable o-rings? I'd appreciate hearing from you about this and if you still have the arms, a photo or two which illustates the the head / body interface would be useful. Thanks in advance.

Tim

Hi Tim,

No it doesn't insert

The ball itself has a threaded hole in it (it is metal), the delrin rod is tapered and then machined to a thread-onto which it screws. Mine snapped on the screw thread. When you machine a thread groove into Delrin, you will create a potential stress point!

I assume to make the tubes hollow, they must bore out the piece of delrin rod, and then machine a taper and thread onto them. They then join two ends together. Mine failed on this join, and filled with water.

The company is very helpful, and Larence the seller seems a really nice guy-it's just that as is often the case, copied products at a price don't seem to be as good as the originals. I'm still using the Subal base adaptors I bought from them, but they are now rusting badly, and I'm going to replace them with ULCS ones very soon!

Despite good service, I've already bought ULCS double buoyancy arms, and they are excellent. My rig is quite heavy (Subal ND2), and with two 12" arms, and a dome port, it is neutral near enough in sea water. For macro, I attach the strobes direct to my (rusting) base adaptors, and use one of the excellent Stix flotation collars on the port (tied round the housing handles with bungee!). Again, pretty neutral.

Best advice on Delrin arms is don't!

Adam

It looks like she does a mixture of the branded parts as well. I was considering ordering some INON clamps from her as im just purchasing a second strobe so will need some more bits. She appears to have a good price, buy 2 get one free, was considering emailing about a couple of other bits I want as well.

@Adam - did you get stung much import duty/VAT when you ordered before?

Cheers

Mark

Hey Mark

No duty!

I would check out Yuzo Kanda at uwdigitalcamera.com for this stuff too-he does Inon and ULCS arms etc!

Adam

Thanks Adam,

Thats good news, im farmiliar with Yuzo I know he has a very comprehensive range. Reason for going the ebay route is that the exchange rate to JYP's is not great at the moment, plus ebay sellers often tend to be more open to sending things as 'gifts' to avoid the duty!

Need to work out if the best option is bite the bullet and get it from the UK from Aquaphot who always do a good deal, somewhere in the US, ebay or Yuzo!

Decisions Decisions!!

Mark

Adam, I'm in touch with Batina Leung who recognises that there have been some problems with their buoyancy arms and she assures me they a working to produce an improved model:

"Thanks very much for your email and your suggestions. We are also aware that there have been problems with the buoyancy arm and have already tried to remedy this by using a new material for the arm that is stronger. To that end we've also used better protection for the packaging especially around the ball so that it doesn't suffer any damage during transportation which is what usually occurs when customers find fault with our products."

My thanks to you for the heads up and confirmation of my concerns. I guess its a case of waiting to see whether this supplier can deliver a quality and performance which we and they expect.

Your description of the product indicates to me a flawed design but I don't think they are off the mark with a delrin cylinder though. Greenforce make very good lamps with just such a body. IMO. the ball heads need to insert into a delrin cylinder and need to be provided with user serviceable o-ring grooves. The ball heads can be secured with a central 'spine' (aluminium rod) which attaches with threads to each ball head which will also benefit the structure by increasing stiffness. Simple... Such a system, if taken up by a manufacturer, would allow a user to easily adjust the length of arm by exchanging different lengths of cylinder and spine with just two ball heads.

Hi Tim,

Glad to be of help

It was Lawrence Leung that I spoke to-he seems a really nice guy

I get what you are saying about the adjutable length arms-sounds a bit like ULCS lattice arms with Stix floats (except that this doesn't need any sealing!) I know you would need to buy a few lengths of arm though! To be honest, I use 12" arms for everything except macro-when I don't normally use any, so the adjustment wouldn't be much use to me!

Green force have had some problems with their delrin housings, as did Halcyon and everyone else in the early days! It's great stuff, but doesn't suit everything!

Adam