Your thoughts on I-das arms?

Hi,

I recently aquired some mangrove lights. I need to get some arms for them to attach to my housing. They are somewhat heavy on land.

Opticaloceansales has i-das arms that seem to be decently priced. What are your thoughts on these arms? Are they decent quality?

I have them, they work but the job on the anodising is not good. The clamps have now a sharp edge and slowly grind down the ball ends. Could be that I recieved a Monday job but I wouldn't recommend them.

I've found the iDAS arms to be fine and comparable to the ULCS ones, but the iDAS clamps have definitely not held up as well as the ULCS ones. I've used both for a few years now. They're both still perfectly functional, but the iDAS squeak and look worn whereas the ULCS ones practically still look new.

I would recommend spending the little bit extra and buying the ultralight arms. They require little maintenance and are built to last! Best of luck!

The I-DAS clamps have been redesigned with a stainless insert and work much better now.

I've used just about every maker of arms and clamps. I-das clamps have had durability issues and have damaged the arm balls, however, the arms have been every bit as good as any makers. I am still using a set with well over 1,000 hours of diving on them...they have some scratches on the balls from the older Idas clamps..but so do some of the ultralight ones.

Historically, it is the clamps that wear out (from every mfg), until the new I-das clamps with Stainless steel inserts...which has solved the galvanic corrosion issue.

I should note that after over 5,000 dives, I have a huge collection of worn out arms, clamps and odd parts for housing. I-das arms are not one of those.

this is what i meant with the anodising is not good. I dont think the central insert has something to do with this. These are only about 60-70 dives old.