August 21 2007
The CCL camera cable lock system is organized to be a simple single system of double or triple dragonfly loops on a 5' piece of 90 pound test 7 strand stainless steel wire that is nylon coated. The long loops are designed so that they will pass through the standard split ring or slots where the camera strap web is attached. Yes, you can have both web and cable at the same time. However, I cannot speak for every camera web connections out there. The loop connections are swaged metal with a heavy duty nylon covering so that the cable and connection will not scratch the camera. Each cable comes with a screw eye that can be screwed to any surface such as the underside of your desk or a cabinet. Obviously some tools will be required for this procedure and are not included. A medium nail and a rock will do the job in a pinch. The locks are sold separately so that you can either use your own lock or purchase the TSA combination lock on our website.
The screw eye is not necessary to lock the cable but can come in handy at home. You can pass the cable through a bed-frame, chair, existing computer cable locking cable. . .whatever is a fixed object.
The CCL pro camera lock system is more flexible in that it is modular and has the ability to chain together many different pieces of equipment. It is based upon the same dragonfly loop concept only each dragonfly is sold individually and the master cables are sold individually. Normally, the master cables will not pass through the web slots or rings as the master cable is 135 pound test. However, many of the top end pro cameras are able to cope with the 135 pound test web. The Nikon ring system on the D200, D1 series will allow for the 135 pound test cable. The larger Canon such as the Mark II & III may. At this early stage I am not sure of all the individual systems as they change constantly. You can always order one 90 pound and one 135 pound cable and see what works. Keep in mind that the 135 pound cable will pass through the loops on the Nikon long glass web connections such as the 300 2.8. In addition either of these cables will fit through most D-rings and some zipper pulls on bags as well has luggage handles, airport chairs and the chairs in dark presentation rooms at meetings and trade shows.
Keep in mind that these are NOT guaranteed to stop a professional thief or even a very determined thief. It will take wire cutters or an expensive knife to cut this wire. However, a 90 or 135 pound yank is by no means insignificant and if done in the open will usually get attention.
The idea is to stop or deter the snatch and grab thief. Perhaps the perfect examples are: your camera is in the bag and in the car. The thief breaks the glass and grabs the camera. It takes a few minutes for the alarm to fire due to the delay. By that time your gear is gone. This might go for a valet who wants to pop your trunk. The trunk hinge will work in a pinch as an anchor point as will the male seatbelt section. Another scenario is a hotel room, perhaps a hotel that is not on your top ten list but the only one available in that city. The maid shows up to clean your room but gets distracted and leaves the door open while she grabs some more towels from down the hall. If your camera is in the closet you stand a chance of loosing it. If it is locked to a huge piece of luggage or the bed. . .well. . .you get the drift.
I like the TSA lock. It is a 3 digit combination lock that you can set yourself. It can also be opened by a TSA inspector with the TSA key. However, the indicator shows that the lock has been opened so you know if they have looked inside. This lock will pass through most zipper pulls so that airline baggage handlers can't get in without destroying the zipper. If you happen to see the indicator show that the lock has been opened you should contact the airline's claim office right away.
The cable and lock will not stop the determined thief but it will slow down the average jerk. If nothing else, it does show intent to protect for the insurance company although UPstrap Inc. will assume NO liability for anything stolen or lost.
The CCL lock is patent pending.
Al Stegmeyer August 1st, 2003 UPstrap, Inc. 9600 Miccosukee Rd Tallahassee FL 32309 CONTACT: Al Stegmeyer (asteg@upstrap.com) 850-878-1088-voice 850-878-2813-fax 850-933-9963-cell FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPSTRAP RELEASES 3rd GENERATION OF PROVEN NON-SLIP SHOULDER STRAPS Tallahassee, Florida - Photographer-inventor Al Stegmeyer has released today three new and improved models of the patented UPstrap™ non-slip shoulder straps which have won accolades from a long list of world class photographers. The new UPstraps called UPstrap-Pro are no longer custom made by hand made but manufactured 100% in the USA using 100% USA materials. The UPstrap™ patented all surface tread design and polymer shoulder pad provides amazing non-slip traction and lateral stability on your shoulder. This translates into no hassle ease of use, comfort, proper body mechanics, shoulder health and greater security for your equipment. The improved pad design and material has been fine tuned to provide maximum non-slip on all sides of the shoulder pad and utilizes the the highest quality webbing, metal sliders and snaps, some of which are mil-spec. UPstrap offers a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. The three models are: RF/DC model is best for the medium to high end rangefinder style film or digital cameras, camcorders and high end binoculars under 2.25 pounds. SLR model is best for the professional and semipro digital and film camera or video camera and spotting scope over 2.25 pounds. LT model is best as a camera bag, laptop bag, briefcase, travel case, tripod bag, duffle bag, messenger bags, large fanny pack, carry on replacement shoulder strap for bags that hold 2.5 - 20 pounds. UPstrap was originally developed for the professional photographer who hauls thousands of dollars of gear on their shoulders. For the first few years it was made by hand, by the inventor in between photo shoots when he had spare time. A few pro photographers told the press and mentioned it during workshops and the next thing Stegmeyer knew he was spending more time building UPstraps than making pictures. The Photographer-Inventor hopes to spend more time taking photographs again.
November 20 2003 UPstrap, Inc. 9600 Miccosukee Rd Tallahassee FL 32309 CONTACT: Al Stegmeyer (asteg@upstrap.com) 850-878-1088-voice 850-878-2813-fax 850-933-9963-cell FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPSTRAP RELEASES THE BIGFOOT LAPTOP COOLER Tallahassee, Florida - Photographer-Inventor Al Stegmeyer has release today a simple cooling method for laptops that run hot. As processor speeds increase and laptops get thinner there is a problem cooling processors. One solution is thermal cooling. A few companies have released stands, some with fans that cool laptops but they are another bulky thing to carry in your case. The Bigfoot Laptop Cooler is a set of large feet that slip under the back of the laptop and increase it's angle on the desk thus allowing for greater thermal convection. Cool air enters the sides and pulls the heat from the bottom of the laptop -where the processor is- and rises to the back of the laptop. It just gives the processor a little more breathing room using a simple method. It may not be the ultimate solution but it's a simple one and easy to just throw in your bag. One nice feature of the Bigfeet is that when using them the fan goes on less giving your battery a longer operating time. In addition, while some laptops have flip open feet they tend to mar or scratch an expensive conference table or desk. The Bigfoot is made of a soft polymer that provides a soft non-slip surface.June 20 2006 UPstrap, Inc. 9600 Miccosukee Rd Tallahassee FL 32309 CONTACT: Al Stegmeyer (asteg@upstrap.com) 850-878-1088-voice 850-878-2813-fax 850-933-9963-cell FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPSTRAP RELEASES A 300 POUND TENSILE STRENGTH QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM . . .WITH KEVLAR WEB.
Tallahassee, FloridaUPstrap introduced an amazing 300 pound tensile strength quick release system with their revolutionary non-slip shoulder pad. If a photographer can carry it - the release can hold it.
October 1 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPstrap releases the new UPsnap wrist loop.
The camera or long lens female release section uses abrasion resistant 600 pound kevlar imbedded webbing and heavy duty sewing.
The shoulder pad uses 2500 pound test mil-spec webbing. This section has a double locking adjustment.
Optional equipment ends with kevlar web and a wrist loop are available.
A 225 pount test snap with 1250 pound test web sewn in our mil-spec sewing facility. Snap on to the most expensive Leica. . . without fear!