A R MS Y S T E M

Frequently Asked Questions

How well does really hold?

The SA-125 1.25" diameter ball system holds like nothing else in the industry. The clamps can be tightened easily to provide complete holding power even out of the water. Underwater, the clamps can be loosened slightly to allow adjustment by simply moving the arms. The surfaces provide such complete hold that a little lubricant can be applied for even smoother operation. Its "holding power" is perhaps too much for small strobes. This is where the SA-100 1" diameter ball system may be a better choice.

Why does it utilize larger diameter balls?

The larger diameter balls combined with very close machining tolerances provides considerably more holding power than can ever be obtained with a smaller size. These are not crude plastic balls; they are precision machined from aluminum and coated with a Teflon impregnated hard anodize finish.

Can I mix with other brand arm systems?

Several special components are available to allow mixing with different brands:

#0466.51 Arm ( 6" ) is available that features our 1.25" diameter ball on one end and a 1" diameter ball on the other end, allowing easy combining of different arm systems.

#9577.43 Special 1" diameter ball that mounts on the Substrobe 200 to allow direct attachment to our 1" SA-100 system and other arms like Sea & Sea TLC and Ultralite.

#9577.45 Ikelite Ball for Nikonos SB-103 and SB-105 strobes, allowing attachment of these strobes to the #9577.2 Clamp ("F") of our Ball Socket Arm systems.

#9577.5 Universal Mount ball that mates with the "T" shape shoe on many housings.

#9577.7 Ikelite Ball with dove-tail foot is available to attach our arms to the shoe of TLC and Ultralite trays.

#9577.71 Ball Adapter. This smaller 1" diameter ball mounts to Ikelite trays and handles allowing attachment of TLC, Nikon, & Ultralite ball-socket clamps, but not Sea&Sea clamps which are for an even smaller diameter ball.

What makes the Ikelite system better?

We offer better holding power at a more realistic price, and a complete selection of components to construct any combination you can imagine.

The other systems may create exotic or interesting looking shapes, but certainly require a lot of expensive material and costly machining time.

What are the other advantages?

The removable Quick Grip handle adds even more versatility to the system.

It allows instantaneous removal by pushing a button with the heal of your hand. Attaching is just as easy, and the aiming adjustment will not have been changed.

The comfortable rubber handle has been molded around the tubing. The handle allows you to "feel" strobe aim when hand holding the strobe.