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Topic: ULCS copy parts at Liesure Pro (Read 3120 times)
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MikeO
Great White
 Offline
Fairfax, VA
Posts: 1831
I will not make art from dung
 
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Re:ULCS copy parts at Liesure Pro
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2010, 09:57:36 AM »
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I have to admit to a bit of confusion here. While I do recall Terry posting a note here about "counterfeit" arms on eBay (stuff that was actualy labeled "Ultralight" but wasn't ULCS), this appears to be another manufacturer offering a similar product that doesn't purport to be ULCS at all. In fact, if you look at the lights they are selling under the BigBlue name, you'll see that Reef Photo and many others sell them too! I'm as big a fan of ULCS as just about anyone (and own more than my fair share of their products), but what is the issue here?
Mike
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Mike Oelrich
Canon EOS 40D in Seatool housing, 100mm macro, Tokina 10-17, Sigma 17-70, INON Z240s
All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then Success is sure. -- Mark Twain
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Bruce Yates
Damsel Fish
Offline
Seattle, WA
Posts: 401
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Re:ULCS copy parts at Liesure Pro
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2010, 04:34:22 PM »
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I have to agree with Mike. There's nothing illegal (assuming no patents have been infringed upon) or even unethical about someone else creating a similar product and offering it at a cheaper price. That's capitalism, folks.
Having said that, I use nothing BUT arms/clamps from ULCS on all of my camera systems.
It has occurred to me on several occasions that compared to mass-machined pieces of modern day products (most mfgd in China), theirs are pretty pricey. OTOH, I've never resented paying ULCS's prices because (a) they have created equipment that sets the standard for that type of gear - I've never seen anything better, and (b) when I want to know what I should use with a given housing, strobe or just to know which part will serve me best for a given use, I simply pick up the phone and get a real person (Terry herself as often as not) who knows as much about diving and uw equipment as any of us do, and they can immediately tell me, "Oh, you'll want part X and that will go with part Y perfectlly," or "No no, don't order part X because part Y is better and cheaper for what you're trying to do." I've bought stuff from LeisurePro before, but there's no friggin' way I could get somebody there on the phone to help me like that. 
Even these days, there are still some things where you get what you pay for (and that includes personal service), and I think ULCS is a classic example. Oh, and I like supporting small businesses (and fellow divers!) who are successful because they came up with a top-notch product and sell it at a fair price, and provide top-notch service to boot.
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Bruce Yates
Seattle, WA
http://www.UnderwaterReflections.com/
Canon 5D MkII in Aquatica, 1Ds MkII in Seacam, G9 in OEM...Inon Z240's
If at first you don't succeed, try try again. Then quit. No use being a damned fool about it. WC Fields
| « Last Edit: June 26, 2010, 04:36:13 PM by Bruce Yates » |
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whaleshark
Guppy
Offline
Southern California
Posts: 12
Get Wet
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Copied Everything from China
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2010, 12:42:47 PM »
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The good folks at Ultralight are an American owned and operated company based in Ventura, California. I've called them for help with an improvised part I needed to connect their ball connector to an Ikelite DS-125 strobe. I didn't like the Ike screw and they helped me machine their part to fit a ss bolt. Their service was so good they didn't want me to tell everyone about it because then everyone would want this fix. I bought 2 new small parts for the repair and they didn't charge me a penny for the extra service. I would have been glad to pay double for the added service they provided. Terry, I suppose I really should take that photo of this fix out of my equipment folder in my smugmug gallery. 
Most of what we need from a specialty parts supplier or any retail outlet is product knowledge, product support, timely delivery, service and fair price sales. As for price, ULCS knows anyone with some talent, ability and ingenuity can invent another arm assembly. That's what keeps the price fair.
If you send an inquiry to that knock-off company from China or any eBay seller you'll be lucky to get a reply form someone who speaks your language. And if you get anything more than a courteous, "So sorry, I don't know", I'd be very surprised. And good luck trying to get anyone on the phone. I know a guy who's in China right now and couldn't get anyone to tell him where he could buy an Olympus camera (his died while touring China).
Integrity works two ways. We expect it from our product manufacturers. But we also need to have integrity as consumers. With our NTD at an all-time high, imports are killing the US economy. I always buy American whenever possible. The pollution and human rights conditions in China should be enough reason for anyone not to buy Chinese products. Can you say, "Lead Paint", "Tainted Milk", "Trade Imbalance" (unfair market practices), "Copyright Infringment" or "Sweat Shop Labor". For years now the Chinese have been copying our books, music, movies and inventions without compensating the author, artist, musician, photographer or inventor .
Have some integrity and spend your money with people who deserve your business.
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Dave
Olympus E-330 & C-8080 in Ikelite housings, dual Ikelite DS-125 strobes, E-3, 8 mm fish eye, 7-14 mm UWA, 11-22 mm, 14-54 mm, PanLeica 25 mm f/1.2, 50 mm f/2, EC-14, 50-200 mm
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