Recently purchased the Stix foam belt and just curious if any other users have had any issues with coming off whilst in the water. I havent used it yet but any tips appreciated if it does come adrift from the port.
Stew
StiX Adjustable Buoyancy Float Belt for Macro Ports
Started by stewsmith, May 27 2012 05:33 AM
7 replies to this topic
#1
stewsmith
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Posted 27 May 2012 - 05:33 AM
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Canon 350D - Sea and Sea housed - 60mm - 10-17mm - twin YS90's ( currently lent to Louise )
Sony PC1000 Video - Ikelite housed - twin Nocturnal slx 800i lights
#2
Alex_Tattersall
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Posted 27 May 2012 - 07:41 AM
Yes, you must tie them on somehow, if you point the port skywards, they will fly off to the surface!
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#3
Gudge
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Posted 27 May 2012 - 12:58 PM
The velcro strap on the belt becomes longer when it gets wet. If you put the flotation belt on when it is dry it will immediately become much looser when you take it underwater and come off very easily when you point the port vertically. If you wet the belt before putting it on and pull it up nice and tight it stays in place much better when you take your rig underwater. You'll still need a safety line from the belt to your housing just in case.
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#4
stewsmith
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Posted 27 May 2012 - 03:43 PM
The velcro strap on the belt becomes longer when it gets wet. If you put the flotation belt on when it is dry it will immediately become much looser when you take it underwater and come off very easily when you point the port vertically. If you wet the belt before putting it on and pull it up nice and tight it stays in place much better when you take your rig underwater. You'll still need a safety line from the belt to your housing just in case.
Cheers lads and not a word about this on any of the Stix packaging. Shame on you Stix.
Stew
Canon 5D MK2 - Sea and Sea housed - 17-40L 100mm - Sigma 15mm FE - twin YS250 pro's
Canon 350D - Sea and Sea housed - 60mm - 10-17mm - twin YS90's ( currently lent to Louise )
Sony PC1000 Video - Ikelite housed - twin Nocturnal slx 800i lights
Canon 350D - Sea and Sea housed - 60mm - 10-17mm - twin YS90's ( currently lent to Louise )
Sony PC1000 Video - Ikelite housed - twin Nocturnal slx 800i lights
#5
JimSwims
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Posted 27 May 2012 - 11:13 PM
A timely thread for me, I'll be taking mine on its maiden voyage soon. Thanks for the tips!
Cheers,
Jim.
Cheers,
Jim.
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D90 in Nexus; 60mm, Woody's Diopter, 105mm, SubSee +5 & +10 magnifiers, 10-17mm, Kenko 1.4 TC, 18-55mm & Inon Z240 strobes.
#6
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Posted 28 May 2012 - 03:50 AM
The Stix float collar will only fit onto a 60mm extension ring which means that I can only use it when shooting with the 100mm or the 17-70mm - shorter extension rings do not offer enough room for the 2" blocks of foam though you could possibly trim them to fit a 50mm ring.
Also, with Nauticam extension rings, the Stix supplied velcro strap is too short and does not adequately overlap.
Perhaps a 3/4" webbing ratchet strap would usefully replace the supplied velcro? I'm also thinking about fixing self-adhesive velcro pads to the the ring and blocks to improve 'grip'.
HTH, Tim
Also, with Nauticam extension rings, the Stix supplied velcro strap is too short and does not adequately overlap.
Perhaps a 3/4" webbing ratchet strap would usefully replace the supplied velcro? I'm also thinking about fixing self-adhesive velcro pads to the the ring and blocks to improve 'grip'.
HTH, Tim
Edited by Timmoranuk, 28 May 2012 - 05:42 AM.
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#7
adamhanlon
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Posted 28 May 2012 - 07:41 AM
Hi guys,
I have one of these and like it very much
I have simply tied two bungee/shockcord loops onto the strap. I then I stretch these around the housing handles. This keeps it in place perfectly.
I think they were designed for Aquatica/Subal type macro ports that are of uniform diameter. They do not fit as well on those with a taper, or with a narrow end.
Adam
I have one of these and like it very much
I have simply tied two bungee/shockcord loops onto the strap. I then I stretch these around the housing handles. This keeps it in place perfectly.
I think they were designed for Aquatica/Subal type macro ports that are of uniform diameter. They do not fit as well on those with a taper, or with a narrow end.
Adam
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#8
stewsmith
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Posted 28 May 2012 - 09:08 AM
Cheers Tim and Adam
All the snappers, batfish and other schools are showing at Ras Mo now so I will be wide angle for a few days now, but I will use some of the ideas mentioned above
Stew
All the snappers, batfish and other schools are showing at Ras Mo now so I will be wide angle for a few days now, but I will use some of the ideas mentioned above
Stew
Canon 5D MK2 - Sea and Sea housed - 17-40L 100mm - Sigma 15mm FE - twin YS250 pro's
Canon 350D - Sea and Sea housed - 60mm - 10-17mm - twin YS90's ( currently lent to Louise )
Sony PC1000 Video - Ikelite housed - twin Nocturnal slx 800i lights
Canon 350D - Sea and Sea housed - 60mm - 10-17mm - twin YS90's ( currently lent to Louise )
Sony PC1000 Video - Ikelite housed - twin Nocturnal slx 800i lights
