Ultralight vs off brand clamps and arms.

[Aqua-Andy]

Has anyone here ever used both Ultralight and some of the off brand clamps and arms? I'm reconfiguring my camera and will need some more arms and clamps. Is there any reason to spend over twice the cost on the brand name parts?

 

[chris kippax]

Twice the quality and twice the life expectancy.
Mine are over 6 years old and look like the day I bought them, I expect them to last 20 years at least. They have performed flawlessly and were a massive improvement over the original ikelite style. Ulcs make excellent clamps,trays and arms. Buyer beware! buy it nice or buy it twice.

 

[ScubaMarc]

I have some ulcs, nauticam, and beneath the surface and I do not have any issues but all are top shelf clamps.

 

[2ndjetty]

I can't speak for the off-brand stuff, but like Chris said above, Ultralight is bombproof and will last forever.

 

[Hoag]

I have a mix of arms & clamps from ULCS and a company called iDAS. I find that both work flawlessly.

 

[EastEndDiver]

I have a mix of top end to ebay china bought ….see NO difference between them have used some for over 15 years no problems with any.

 

[Germie]

Clamps I get on Ali Express from china for around 5 euro each. They are good enough. And much cheaper (normally 25-30 euro here).
I alsof have the Puluz Arms from china. Only used them shallow now, but will take them to 100m.
They look nice and good.

 

[Wisnu]

I bought clamps and arms made in China from e-bay in 2005, can't recall the manufacturers; no problems so far.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Thanks for the replies. I can't see what would make a $30 clamp any better than a $5 clamp, they all have the same profile and made out of the same material.

 

[bvanant]

The $5 clamps are not finished any where near as nicely as the ULCS clamps for example. I bought some cheap clamps from China and they had sharp enough edges that they cut through the o-rings and scratched the finish off of the balls that they were attached to. Had to take a grinder wheel to them to break the rough edges. Also the springs tend to be thinner wire and often take a set.
Bill