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BACKSCATTER UNDERWATER VIDEO AND PHOTO #2942
October 22, 2008 - 10:00 AM

The Backscatter booth was located prominently along one side of the Imagine Resource Center’s seminar area. Berkley, Jim, Dave, John, Russ, and Susan manned the booth, showing off a wide range of underwater imaging products (both still and video). Backscatter is a retailer of too many products to list; visit their website for a full list.

John Zeiss of 4th Generation Designs took me through his line of Stix float arms, which are sold through Backscatter. Over the past couple years, Stix arms have become totally mainstream because still housing and strobe manufacturers have for some reason decided that it is OK for a housed underwater camera to weigh a lot while underwater (boo!). Stix arms come in a variety of lengths, from 4-15 inches long, and can support three different float sizes. They are extremely light to travel with, which is getting more and more important as airlines continue to impose surcharges for heavy bags. Stix also offers floats for ULCS and other arms, and an adjustable float belt for multiple ports.

New for Stix:

1. Compact housing strobe support handles (model “CCH”), which are both light and adjustable.

2. Larger tightening wings on clamps

3. Flotation system for Gates underwater video housings. Two 9” float wings will balance a “standard Gates housing” (I’m not sure which one). Wings are available between 8-12” in length.

Backscatter is now selling products from XIT 404 (Jody and Mike Elliot), and had a bunch of their bright orange ergonomics accessories on display. See the XIT 404 booth coverage for more.

Other products of interest:

- Macromate diopters with coated achromatic glass.

- Seatool video monitors: original Sony screens, compatible with the Sony HC7/9 and SR11/12. These take 4 AA batteries.

- Fisheye FIX LED 1000DX underwater light, which can be used as a video light, dive light, focusing light, etc. See the FIX / Seatool booth coverage for more about this light.

- Fisheye FIX XD EX1 housing prototype housing for the Sony EX1 video camera

Finally, some really exciting news: Backscatter announced that it is merging with Underwater Photo-Tech! The old Underwater Photo-Tech will now be known as “Backscatter East.” More details on this, soon!