Nauticam flextray not so good, alternatives?

I've always thought the flextray handles seemed a bit too flexy and flimsy. Today's dive proved that true when the left broke of at the start of the dive.

Forensics show there is only a tiny bit of metal were it broke of, the corrosion hints that it has been underway for a while too.

So, suggestions on alternative handles that does not mean buying a whole new system would be appreciated :-)

Cheers/O

And the pic

ohhhh my god.... i have the same housing... flextray.. strobes..... now i have fear of that issue! not good! if appened around my coming trip in indonesia, it can be a nightmare.... :-( :-(

Well, no panic I got some creative opportunities with off camera strobe, but the hands were full :-)

Are there up rated versions for this? Does Nauticam have some sort of replacement program? Or, are there any alternative handles that could it same tray?

I am quite sure Nauticam will replace them. Alternatives are available from say ULCS with much beefier handles. I am a bit surprised at yours breaking, can you see definite corrosion at the break?

Bill

I have a very close call with the Flexitray as well (used on the NA-LX100). Here is what I found out: you MUST use the stainless steel bracket that goes on the top of the handle like this picture:

During my recent trip, I didn't put the bracket on the right handle and I feel that the handle could be wobble and I don't think the two small screw at the bottom could hold, so I didn't put any light or arm on the right handle to further stress it. You need to call them up and see if they have the bracket for the NA-EM5 otherwise it will break again.

I have ULCS arm from my old set up, it's very strong and you won't be able to break it, especially if you have the arm with 3/8" bolt.

Ok, where do you get that bracket? On my housing there are holes for the right side for such a bracket, but not on the left side. Maybe newer housings have mountings on booth sides.

So if you have a E-M5 housing, the general warning is for the left handle, you should aim to replace that with a third party handle of better spec!

/O

HI Oskar,

I've sent you a PM, but it would be good to get a bit more info on the age of this system. There was a known issue that caused something like this with some early handles. It was corrected, dealer stock was replaced in those cases. If this is that problem, it looks like yours was missed.

It is normal for the handles to have a bit of flex in them, which some people don't enjoy, and is amplified with heavy strobes or video lights. The handle bracket has been added as an optional install to knock that out.

Moses, I wouldn't worry about the strengths of those the handle bolt attachment. They brackets are optional, and something like 20 models used this tray prior to their being added.

Handle brackets were never offered for E-M5. The mounting holes you see on the right grip are for an accessory hand strap, not a bracket. I'm confident that once you get a current handle this won't happen again.

HI Oskar,

I've sent you a PM, but it would be good to get a bit more info on the age of this system. There was a known issue that caused something like this with some early handles. It was corrected, dealer stock was replaced in those cases. If this is that problem, it looks like yours was missed.

 

It is normal for the handles to have a bit of flex in them, which some people don't enjoy, and is amplified with heavy strobes or video lights. The handle bracket has been added as an optional install to knock that out.

 

Moses, I wouldn't worry about the strengths of those the handle bolt attachment. They brackets are optional, and something like 20 models used this tray prior to their being added.

 

Handle brackets were never offered for E-M5. The mounting holes you see on the right grip are for an accessory hand strap, not a bracket. I'm confident that once you get a current handle this won't happen again.

I'd appreciate some more directions on how to preceed with the return.

However, if I would choose not to have an handle on right, but put a ball mount in the M10 fitting, what length of the ball mount is best?

fore example this 62mm one, is it good height to clear the housing, or should i go for the even longer one?

http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4746

For the immediate dives tomorrow, it will have to be single strobe :-(

Cheers

/O

Patrik and Magnus at Scuba Supply will take care of you, I've just written them about the issue.

I've never heard any comments one way or another on the ball height on E-M5. The taller version (24224) probably puts the strobe mounting positions a bit more even, and provides a bit more room to operate the clamp. The tops of these small housings can get pretty crowded! Hopefully some other users will chime in here.

I should put a final remark on this thread. There was, as stated above, no problem at all to get replacement handles swiftly though the national dealership. Kudos to Nauticam and Scubasupply!

The flexitray handles are quite thinly built, so I think you will have to expect flex using these. I don't really like that personally, but as the top bracket is not an option for the EM-5 housing, it is not so anoying that I would take any further action to DIY brackets or replace the handes. However, if a good bracket solution appears, I would be happy for a tip-off!

Cheers/O

I fixed this with the addition of an DeepProof 'Housing Carrier' -

http://www.divervision.com/deeproof-housing-carrier-for-nauticam-housings-62018?search=carrier

Great, now Im paranoid about my two flexitray rigs. AWESOME!

I use a UCLS tray. Much beefier. But to fit my Nauticam housing better I removed the back lip on the tray and everything fits adjusts better.

ML

http://reefphoto.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=135_17&products_id=423

I own the Flexitray aswell and will soon buy the NA-EM5 mark 2 Housing. These brackets, are they now suitable for the new EM-5 mark2 housing??

cheers

You get brackets with the housing to go on the Flextray handles.

Do you have a pic how it looks with the mk 2 housing?

On my NA-EM5, I use triple clamps at the ball joints and attach an 8" ULCS arm between the triple clamps. Triple clamps allow the addition of strobe arms on each side...if you were only using one strobe arm, then you wouldn't need a triple clamp for the other side. For my arm length adjustments, the 8" UCLS (measured o-ring to o-ring...total length is actually 9") Arm fits perfectly across the top, locks in the flexible nauticam handles, and is useful as a handle for carrying the rig.

Interesting, would you mind posting a picture of the rig?