Yamaha "Airlift | Stadium" rotary stand vs Tuba Tamer

[WakinAZ]

I bought one of these Yamaha Stadium stands off Amazon (fulfilled by Cascio Interstate Music), and it is looking to be a good alternative to a Tuba Tamer for a responsible adult. I've owned two TubaTamers and they work, but boy are they a PITA to schlep around .

Pro:

• At ~12.5 lbs. less than half the weight of a 27 lb.Tuba Tamer.
• since it is discontinued by Yamaha, it is now available on Amazon or eBay for $99 and free shipping (MSRP was $499), This is 1/7 the price of a new Tuba Tamer shipped, and 1/3 of a good used one.
• Good build quality by Randall May: made in US, all aluminum
• Not as bulky- breaks down a bit more than the Tamer (two pieces, and legs fold), I'm hoping I can stuff it into a medium duffel bag, since it has no case
• Not quite as big a footprint as the TT, could be con too. This is likely due to its stadium/bleacher heritage, but it helps in shallow bandroom and concert halls rows also. Could be con for stability, just be careful.

Con:

• Not as sturdy as a Tuba Tamer, but Tamers are over-engineered, very heavy, and close to idiot-proof for the unforgiving school band environment. A careful adult should have no problem.
• Sits pretty tall. Fine for me since I am 6 feet tall and long in the torso, but a shorter person or kid might have trouble. I have the vertical adjustment all the way down. You might be able to get it down some more with the leg adjustments screws that allow front and back angling (and multi-level surfaces like bleachers), will report back on this.
• Not as infinitely adjustable as a Tuba Tamer, but if you get the one made for your style horn, it is good enough. It does rotate side to side in the horizontal plane about 45 degrees left and right of player's center when seated- something the TT does not do.
  See models here: http://usa.yamaha.com/product_archive/m ... mode=model
• Will not work for front piston tubas.

Some previous discussion here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=76997

Here are some pics with the stand holding a Wessex/JinBao TU210 (aka Hirsbrunner 192 copy, aka Schillbrunner) that I am borrowing from a friend. This model RM-SHT44R stand is designed for the YBB-641 (4/4 traditional style rotary), not the short, fat style of rotary like this, but it works OK with one modification: I have to use a nylon strap to securely fasten the side branch to a U-shaped bracket designed to lock onto the side of the horn; it almost locks but this horn is just too big there. (Pretty nifty design. Same bracket also has a release lever to unlock.)
It would work even better for a 186 or a B&S/VMI 101 style, I bet. Hope to find out soon.

Link to Google album. I forgot how much fun it is to post pics here:
https://goo.gl/photos/MtdRszaMHRVyGwLPA