Stix arms and ULCS clamps

I know this topic has been discussed about 18 months ago, but I am still concerned that the ULCS clamps will tear the plastic Stix ball heads apart (as there was only one reply). Although they can be replaced ($14), this would still be a nuisance and I would rather not get them if they are not durable.

Would any of you out there with a few years of experience please report back with your experience with the Stix arms with the new more rugged Stix ball heads?

Also, does the 9” and 6” combo work as well as the ULCS 8” and 5”?

Thanks,

Mark

Stay with one system or the other!

35 years experience.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no Stix clamps, so if you want to use the Stix arms you must "mix and match". Using the Stix arms/floats makes a more compact, streamlined system (for comparable lift/buoyancy) which is the reason to pursue this configuration.

I have mixed TLC and ULCS clamps and arms for years without any issues.

Also, does anyone know if the Stix arms/ball heads provide the same clamping security as the ULCS ones?

Thanks,

Mark

I have used the Stix arms as well as ULCS arms and only have ULCS clamps. I have had no problems. The Stix balls get a little scratched-looking but it does not seem to affect them. Interestingly, though, I just purchased two stix arms for my son to use and they now have double O rings installed on the ball ends, so something is changing. There is no mention of this on the Stix website and nothing on the packaging.

I would be interesting in hearing why they changed and why there is no mention of the change anywhere.

Draq,

Since there is no mention of the new ball head on the website, would you mind uploading a picture of the double O ring ball? This may be a good reason to get the Stix arms/foam as they are a cheaper, lighter and more streamlined way to go (and that might prevent wear and tear on the ball head and just need a new inexpensive O ring every few years).

Thanks,

Mark

Sure. I will try to do that tonight if I can get time.

look at: http://stores.4gdphoto.com/StoreFront.bok

Stix makes their own clamps.

I have found that the Stix ball ends get nicked up from clamps. They allow movement above the water when carrying your rig, but work fine underwater.

It may be the weekend before I can get time to take a photo. Will do it as soon as I can.

Did any one try this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110961288858&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:3160

because made from alloy steel

Okay, here is a shot of the ball on a Stix arm I recently purchased. There nothing in the packaging about this change and still nothing on the Stix website, so I have no idea how long these have been in production or if these are what one would get if ordering a ball or arm.