2012Sled forum
Durability of PRO sled quick-release bayonet mounts for frequent assembly and disassembly
14 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- The quick-release screw collars on PRO sleds are convenient for occasional maintenance but may not be designed for daily or frequent mounting and dismounting cycles.
- Cross-threading the fine threads on the screw collars during repeated assembly and disassembly presents a significant safety risk, potentially rendering the rig unsafe for flight.
- Older SD-era sled components and connectors demonstrated better durability to repeated disassembly compared to newer HD components, which have more fragile coaxial pins in the LEMO connectors.
- LEMO connectors have a rated coupling and decoupling cycle limit of approximately 2000 cycles, which could be exceeded with frequent daily use.
- A sled sock provides an alternative storage solution for short-distance transport that avoids the mechanical and connector stress of repeated quick-release disassembly.
- One operator reported using a sled with the battery base repeatedly connected and disconnected every other day over three months without issues on older equipment.
- Protecting expensive gear with hard cases during transport, despite the inconvenience of setup and breakdown time, reduces the risk of damage and rental downtime.
Depends on
- The comparison between old SD and new HD component durability is anecdotal and based on different equipment generations.
- The 2000-cycle LEMO rating is mentioned as something the contributor believes to be accurate but lacks definitive confirmation from the manufacturer.
- Most experience shared is from older PRO-2 and pre-HD era equipment; durability characteristics may differ for current generation sleds.
- No official manufacturer guidance was provided in the thread to definitively answer the original question.