Strobe Arms - Are expensive models worth it?

So, I am currently at the point where I have to make a decision regarding strobe arms. I've found a bunch of info on choosing the correct length as well as buoyancy arms, but one thing I'm still not sure about is how much I should spend on clamps and arms.

I've calculated the prices of a variety of different setups and my options range from about 290€ for a set of arms by "Mangrove" (probably chinese knockoff only sold by aditech-uw.com) to about 400€ using Aquatica arms and clamps. While 100€ is not massive in the Underwaterphotography world it is still a substantial amount of money.

The general notion of what I've read on these forums is that skimping on arms is not recommended and that there is indeed a quality difference. With the clamps I can see that there might be a big difference, but how difficult can it really be to built a piece of metal with 1" spheres on either side? Not considering fancy carbon arms or float arms. I will stick to Stix because my Dome setup is neutral/positive and I don't want to carry around multiple sets of arms (let alone pay for them).

So, to list my questions:

1. Has anyone had any experience with Aquatica clamps (and arms). How do they do in comparison to the ever favoured ULCS?

2. Would it make sense to buy premium clamps and cheap arms?

Hey hyp

As you've read, this ground has been covered before and, you're right, a lot of Wetpixel members will argue (me included) that you buy arms etc once - you might as well buy good ones. I've always thought it's one of the few items of u/w photo gear that hold their value reasonably well.

I agree you don't need carbon arms or float arms. I would though recommend ULCS arms/clamps with, as you suggest, Stix. I've had mine about 18 years and they are still as good as new.

Premium clamps? Cheap Arms? Would Aquatica clamps be as good? How do they compare? I must admit I don't know but I'm sure others will have a view. But a set of arms that have lasted 18 years - with an awful lot of dives on them - and will likely outlast me, what's there not to like?

I used to wonder the same thing but experience with cheap arms and clamps has shown that not all are created equal (obviously). You would think that a 1" ball is a 1" ball, but it must be harder than it looks. I got some cheap eBay arm / clamp combinations that are simply not secure unless tightened to breaking point. I have others that work together beautifully. In total I have not saved any money compared to the price of just buying the big name brand parts in the first place.

Hi Hyp

I do not know the new arms and clamps from aquatic (DELTA 3 TECHNICAL LIGHTING CONTROL). I new the old ones, and those I did not liked. The arms did not had the grove and o-ring in it, and the clamps were like a week and it was not easy to have a proper grip (it was necessary to make a lot of strength to secure the arms in position, and the hands several times were slivering on the clamp well, both to close and to open).

I believe the new design might have solved these issues, but I have no experience with that.

ULCS is top. I have clamps from them, and the arms are carbon ones from Extrem'Vision (I think they do not produce them anymore...).

If I was going to buy new ones today, most probably I would go for ULCS with the stix. Do not know if I would go for original ones or Chinese copy, but specially on the clamps it is critical do make the right choice. I saw some clamps that the ears of the clamps seam too fragile. And saw also some clamps that do not have a proper spring, and that starts to get rusty with the salted water.

Usually, my policy is when buying at distance, if there is a quite big difference in value, and by "deep" analysis of the pictures and other "details", I can find positive aspects on the items, I might try something not branded. If not, go for the branded and known, probably the safe purchase.

There are other brands that have nice arms. Nauticam, Inon

One thing that you should consider, is to go with one brand alone. Even the size being supposedly the same, there are small diferences that time to time makes a difference (to give you and example, my arms are in carbon, but the connection on the strobes is in aluminium from ULCS, and sometimes I feel difference in the gripping on both parts (the arm and the connection part to the strobe)

With ULCS you can not go wrong. For sure you can also find good systems on other brands. The best way is to find a way to try yourself the different possibilities (if you can go to a dive show you might be able to fill the difference if there is any yourself, or in big underwater photography equipment stores - everyday less opportunities as there are not so many and the ones that exist every time has less stock )

Pedro Alves

PS - when in easy dives, the clamps/arms are just adjusted, so you are able to position the strobes without touching the clamps. When in strong currents, the arms/clamps need to be tightly secured. The good arms/clamps are the ones that work well and smoothly on both type of dives.

I started with ULCS clamps and arms. Really quality stuff. But, when I went to heavier strobes and added video lights, the ULCS did not lock down tight out of the water and I found they went from tight to loose too quickly with my heavier gear. I swapped out my clamps (not the arms) for Nauticam clamps. A huge improvement. Much bigger and easier to use tightening knobs, a wider range of tension, and locks down solid when carrying my rig on the boat to the dive platform, and when handing it up after the dive. You absolutely cannot go wrong with the Nauticam clamps. I have kept my ULCS arms and stix floats--they will last forever. I needed to switch for a particular reason. If you are not using heavy flashes or combining video lights like I am doing, you are fine with ULCS.

I purchased ULCS arms and clamps 32 years ago and am still using them.

With respect to low cost arms - some times you get what you pay for and some times you don't!

Clean and lube the threaded parts, change out the o rings periodically.