Discussion Topic |
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mapeze
climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 22, 2011 - 12:17pm PT
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I'm Mikel Apezetxea, the designer of the Totem Cams.
I have posted in our blog some info explaining my disagreement with some assessment made at OutdoorGearlab review.
I invite all you have tried the Totem Cams to give your opinion. It's essential to improve the product in favor of climbers community.
Thanks!
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James Doty
Trad climber
Phoenix, Az.
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Jul 22, 2011 - 12:36pm PT
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where is the lnk to your blog?
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James Doty
Trad climber
Phoenix, Az.
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Jul 22, 2011 - 12:51pm PT
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Seems to me you have a legitimate complaint. The cams look pretty interesting to me.
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James Doty
Trad climber
Phoenix, Az.
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Jul 22, 2011 - 01:37pm PT
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I just read through all of TKings' links and I would definitely like to try them. If I am reading right they seem to be a non-offset cam that will fit offset placements.
Edit: Among other seemingly good attributes.
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Moof
Big Wall climber
Orygun
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Jul 22, 2011 - 02:00pm PT
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No Whining.
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Jul 22, 2011 - 02:03pm PT
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HOw can the BD C4 score an 8 for tight placements?
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Jul 22, 2011 - 04:42pm PT
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OutdoorGearLab is obviously a spin off of supertopo. Have you taken your concerns to Chris M directly?
It sounds like an honest review, but the ratings do seem like something is not right.
In their comparison of all cams Totem does well, scoring near the top of the pack with 75 out of 100 points.
However the other cams that scored the same 75/100 (aliens, C3s) get 4 out of 5 stars while Totems only get 3 stars.
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jewedlaw
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Jul 22, 2011 - 04:45pm PT
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Please send me a full rack and I will submit a very comprehensive review of Totem Cams.
Thanks!
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James Doty
Trad climber
Phoenix, Az.
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Jul 22, 2011 - 04:51pm PT
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The videos TKing posted show pretty clearly their performance when torqued side to side and with two lobes engaged. Worth checking out next time I am ready to buy.
edit: seems like they may have a few design issues to work out.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Jul 22, 2011 - 05:18pm PT
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I think the objections have merit. I can't say I've been greatly impressed with the SuperTopo gear reviews. A lot of times the objections raised seem idiosyncratic, the reviewer seems to miss features, and it isn't always clear what the standards were or whether the standards were uniformly applied. The review of climbing packs seemed to me to suffer from a number of these issues too.
I own one Totem Cam, a Purple, which is approximately the size of a Purple C4, perhaps slightly smaller, like the red Alien. The narrow head width enables it to fit where C4's can't begin to go, the individual loading of the cams means it works better than C4's in flares and uneven cracks, and the stem flexibility, which has to be experienced to be believed, makes it far better in horizontal and pinched-off placements and reduces walking more than any other cam I've used. I've had no problems with the stem flexing so much as to interfere with placements.
At $70 a piece postpaid, Totem Cams are pricey. The double stems are bulky for racking, no doubt. And it remains to be seen how durable they will be. But they are solid as hell and fit where C4's don't, and should be especially appealing in places that don't feature parallel-sided cracks shooting up to the sky. For those who carry doubles in their cam sizes, I think pairing C4's and Totems would be ideal.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Jul 22, 2011 - 05:22pm PT
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I take particular offense with this statement: However, with some design flaws and recent recall issues it is hard for us to fully get behind these cams, especially at the price. Maybe in the future Totem will strike gold with their innovative engineering. But in the meantime, for the most versatile and durable cam go for Black Diamond Camalot C4.
What a load of bullsh#t and a disingenuous slam on Totems. Thanks for pointing this out to us Mikel. It took me a while to love your cams but I'll defend them.
First: THE EFFECTIVE GRIP RANGE AND THE HOLDING POWER OF TOTEMS ARE BOTH CLEARLY SUPERIOR TO THE CAMALOTS.
Totem volentarly recalled them as they say that the non-anodised cams gripped better. They did it to squeeze every ounce of grip performance on "polished limestone" and certain soft rock applications, as they had anodizing on the cam lobes. Yet Black Diamond, DMM and Wild Country don't seem to give a rats ass about that very thing as they all anodize their cam lobes, something they have always done and don't seem about to change. Why doesn't the author recommend avoiding them for that reason since he wants to avoid the Totems despite them being the only ones to have both noted and paid for the improvement. (BD only anodizes one side, but that is why Totem recalled their cams, the Totems were working great and already outperforming Black Diamond cams even with the anodized lobes) What other Mfg has gone that far above and beyond? Maybe Metolius (they don't anodize their lobes) but I don't have an example.
I have the anodized cam versions, will not send them back in, as they say, if I want to up the performance on in those rare applications that Totem wants their cams to be flawless on but the rest of the pack don't even give a rats ass about, I'll hit it with sandpaper myself. Meantime, they have the same "Flaw" as the Black Diamonds and DMMs -anodized lobes. Totem cams outperform Black Diamond cams PERIOD. Love my Camalots, but it's true.
Totems only issue is that they go to BD red, so if you want larger, you HAVE to use someone elses cam, and the Gold Camalot is a contender as Totam doesn't make that size. Totems use the BD green and red colors for those sizes.
As far as addressing the inference the review has that they are short lived or that Camalots will last longer. No one can say how long they hold up, but I did see Plaidmans after he and Studly came down off the Leaning Tower (and Plaidman ain't no lightweight if you know what I mean heh heh) and his cams looked great. Shockingly - closer to new than beat up like an Alien you'd carried up a wall. These do not seem to overcam and get easily stuck in cracks either. I love the Metolius Supercam, but as anyone who has climbed with me knows, I come real close to getting them stuck on a regular basis. Not these Totems.
So lets recap the Totem advantage:
A) better range than Camalots.
B) better holding power (call it stickiness or less likely to rip when you are aiding, something like that).
C} less chance of fixing one and having to leave it.
D) Not made in China like the Camalots.
..hmmm, only 3 stars and a diss in the review - what is the real deal here. I'll concede the expensive point is all. Takes up more rack real estate would be a valid criticism, but one not noted in the real world and that the reviewer didn't note either. Probably stronger too. Harumph.
Truthfully, I didn't like them when I first got them. Compared them to Hybrid Aliens and didn't see a clear improvement like I thought had been advertized. Yet i started to get some high mileage on them at Red Rocks and in Yosemite, and the more I used them, the more I like them. The interesting phenomena was except for one buddy, who insisted on not ever taking them out, anyone I climbed with took the same trip as I did. That is, started out tending to disliking them just from the way they looked, and then wound up liking them.
ps, as a side note: I may own (certainly have used) about every brand of current cam out there: except for the new Wild Country Helium, which I will have soon enough.
Regards all
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Jul 22, 2011 - 05:59pm PT
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I use the Totem cams and really like them. Seems like if you use a set of Totem cams and BD/Metolius cams side by side for 10 pitches of trad or gear climbing, its a sure thing you start reaching for the Totem cams by the end, even if you're a diehard BD cam afficianado. OR unless you're sponsored by Black Diamond or Metolius! In my experience they are more bomber in most placements, don't walk, clean quick.
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Plaidman
Trad climber
South Slope of Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Jul 26, 2011 - 10:24pm PT
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Wow! Thanks couchmaster for throwing me under the bus. I plan on being half the man I use to be soon.
My Totems are my favorite cam on my rack. I don't have any problem placing them. In fact I think I have to mess with them less to get them to stick. With a C4 Camalot I have to adjust the placement to get it to stick where I want it. Not with the Totem. Sticks the first time and cleans like a dream.
Long live Totem Cams.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Jul 26, 2011 - 11:43pm PT
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I meant no offense Plaid. Same as when Benny wanted to borrow my Hybrid Aliens to rock the South Seas. Ben's a big guy and easily over 200 lbs, I think he said 220, aid puts so much wear onto a cam...and them some, especially Aliens which get torn up quick. I'd do almost anything for Ben, great guy and I figure I owe him too, but I couldn't do it knowing that the Aliens wouldn't look anywhere near the same after a single El Cap route, and no matter how hard he tried to baby them, (and he would try to take care of them) they'd be trashed anyway. Soft metal and lot of weight.
I love aid climbing with Ivan and I'll note that despite the fact that he's huge, if it's his pitch and the rack is mixed he'll pull his cams off the rack till he runs out of his and has to use yours. As he is 6' 6 " and weighs 250 lbs, aid with Ivan puts big stresses on them, he knows it and trys to take care of your stuff.
My point only was how well your Totems held up under aid. If it was a guy like Dale Bard in his prime when he weighed 120 soaking wet or whatever, that statement about the Totems holding up would mean nothing, so I was just fleshing out the statement is all. I apologize if that came out wrong and will still tie in with you as long as you do not drop me in retaliation:-)
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Port
Trad climber
San Diego
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Jul 27, 2011 - 12:46am PT
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Mike,
I've heard great things about your cams. Most people who buy cams do so because friends recommend them, not because of an online review. But I understand your concern. You also provided a great review of the strengths and weaknesses of your own product, pretty cool to provided such an honest assessment. Good luck! I can't wait to try Totems.
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mwatsonphoto
Trad climber
los angeles, ca
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Jul 27, 2011 - 12:51am PT
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If the price was a little lower I'd be more likely to give em a try. Bought two full sets of metolius master cams and a couple of the offsets (that I also got a discount on). I may still try a Totem cam in the future.
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mapeze
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 27, 2011 - 01:46pm PT
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Port,
Thanks! You could have a chance to try them at Yosemite in September...
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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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The Supertopo (now outdoorgearlab?) reviews have been terrible. They favor quantity over quality, and just pump them out. I gave my 2 cents on a few of the reviews, like the Metolius TCU review, which was subsequently changed. I've also seen quite a few reviews that just reported specs that could be taken off a website with no actual information about field performance. I doubt they're even testing this stuff properly, if at all in some cases.
My two cents on the Totem Cam: 5 stars and worth the $!
Josh
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caughtinside
Social climber
Davis, CA
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+1 what bandycoot said. I read a few of those reviews and found them to be of relatively low quality... like most 'professional' gear reviews. Just regurgitation of numbers and specs for the most part. A meaningful gear review requires extensive use of a product. Not just a freebie that gets used 4 days and then written up.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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If I ever did one? Ignore it!
Damn. Now you tell me. If only you'd told me earlier, I might not have believed the ads quoting "Dingus" and wouldn't have a broken Link Cam on my desk, waiting for return authorization.
Well, actually, I probably still would. And when I get the replacement I'll continue using it, cuz I like them.
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Mr_T
Trad climber
Northern California
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The blog piece gets a bit too loud (ie ending every sentence with !!). Perhaps provide a tad more factual info in a more objective manner. You may like the cams, someone else may not. Present the facts in a more balanced manner and let your reader form an opinion rather than trying to force your own.
The "issues" with recall could refer to the fact that more than one single camming units (ie my #1, my friend's #1 were recalled) or that more than one person had to send back a cam to you. Further, it would be worth pointing out the anodized gripping issue and comparing it to competing cams that have anodization.
Keep a level, factual argument and don't let your emotion (and !! at the end of every sentence) take over. Accept any limitations you may have - $70 is not a cheap cam. Instead point out the quality you provide over competitors.
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okie
Trad climber
San Leandro, Ca
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I think a lot of folks are going to want to get their paws on those "basic" cams. That's the horse you should be riding.
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mapeze
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 2, 2011 - 08:03pm PT
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Mr_T,
The anodizing gripping issue comparing to other manufacturers is cited in FAQ at the recall post.
And it's true that the post was written with emotion. However, most of judgemets (not the price) are not only emotive. I think are justifiable.
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
The Illuminati -- S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Division
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Sixth: “hard to find in the U.S.” and “expensive”. You can easily find them at totemcams.com at $70 and we ship from U.S. for free. The Totem Cams in U.S. are cheap! Much cheaper than in Europe! Our strategy of trying to sell directly to the climber is just an strategy for survival!! We do not decide how the dolar/euro exchange ratio varies.
"hard to find in the U.S"
What the review said is: "These widely available in Europe but very hard to find in the U.S. or at U.S. online retailers."
If they are ONLY available from a single web site (or a few web sites), then the review is dead-on accurate.
I'm not going to buy any unless I can handle some first. So unless a friend of mine gets a pair, I wouldn't even consider buying them unless I could see them in a climbing shop.
"expensive" - What the review said is, "Value: Expensive. At $70 a piece these cams are among the most expensive cams out there"
Totem's (incredibly LAME) response is that they are "cheap" because they are even more overpriced in Europe. We don't care what you are charging for them in Europe. They are expensive in the U.S. market compared to their competitors.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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I'm not going to buy any unless I can handle some first. So unless a friend of mine gets a pair, I wouldn't even consider buying them unless I could see them in a climbing shop.
Sounds like a road trip is in order for you then. Yosemite Mountain shop has racks of them hanging there (I ws there in May). Its the Glacier point shoppe next to the store.
As Rgold mentioned, the heads are very narrow so as to fit in small pockets (jtree or Red Rocks anyone?). Coupled with the uber flexible stems, bigger camming range, and good gripping performance, they seem to do very well. I think that they may be doing another Yosemite session soon. Last time they just gave them out on loan to try. Nice to try before you buy. I'd seriously suggest getting some mileage with them. It changed my mind.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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A few additional observations about Totem cams.
(1) The cam faces are knurled rather than toothed.
I've never understood the tooth configuration. If a cam doesn't pop out, the limits to its holding power are determined by the material's sheer yield strength. It always seemed to me that studding the cam surface with a bunch of little buttons would contribute to lowering the sheer yield levels, since the buttons will sheer with less resistance than a solid surface.
Although you wouldn't think so, the knurling gives the cams a unique feel when you insert them. I think you could tell blindfolded whether or not you were using a Totem cam.
(2) The actual cams on a Totem cam are a little thinner than the ones on a Camalot. This might be a negative consideration for soft rock.
(3) A feature of the Totem cam geometry is that the cam will, at least in theory, hold in placements with too little friction for a conventional cam. I've heard various reports of poor ordinary cam performance in European limestone; for that medium Totem cams appear to have an advantage. The same advantage would also apply for granite that is wet or unusually polished for some reason. What isn't clear is the magnitude of the theoretical advantage in practice, but one could take the position that any extra holding power is a good thing.
From my limited experience with the purple unit, my appreciation for the flexibility and narrow head width, and from my understanding of the theoretical advantages of the geometry, they seem to be a better mousetrap. As I've said before, I think the ultimate deciding issue will be the durability of all those wires and springs just under the head.
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Batrock
Trad climber
Burbank
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Bump for great cams. I finally saved up enough to get a double set. These things are great.
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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If you check out the Outdoorgearlab review https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/climbing/climbing-cams/totem-cam and scroll to the end, you'll find a point-by-point criticism of the comparative ratings I posted in 2011.
Subsequently, OGL seemed to change their individual review of Totem Cams, but not the bizarre scoring that placed them at #10 in the ratings list.
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Gold, pure gold in the funky fissures.
If I had money I would have 4 sets.
2 ea will have to do.
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protour
Trad climber
Yosemite, CA
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Mucci Joe Marley has 4 sets, I think we're all a bit jealous
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Bet he keeps a close eye on em too!
Walls in a push, so they don't "get lost" at the bottom of a grade VII bag lol!
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland, CA
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Mucci - better than BD in your opinion? Honest question, haven't used (or seen them in the wild) yet.
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MisterE
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Better than BD, I say.
I have two in the same sizes as BD, and I almost always go to the Totems - they just set easier.
MyTwoCents
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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I think they're better than BD in the comparable sizes. They walk less, their heads are significantly narrower, and they're more likely to hold in flares. I have them paired with BD's on my rack, and I always use the BD first if I can, because the Totem will go in all kinds of places the BD can't, which means place the BD first if it fits.
The downsides are the relatively bulky frame everyone mentions (which I've never found to be a problem with a free-climbing rack that has doubles of each cam size) and the potentially less burly design, which doesn't seem to be much of a problem.
If they do last like BD's, reslinging them might be problematic.
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MisterE
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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An interesting thing I have found is that the Totems are bulky at the trigger, and most of the other cams are bulky at the cam-end.
This dove-tails nicely by staggering your rack with Totems - more cams, no increased rack bulk.
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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Lebruce- they started out on the aid rack, now I wouldn't free climb without em.
The purple green pink seem to fit better in weird spots. A mix of cams is always good, but doubles to purple then singles from red bd and singles of bigger totems is how I rack now.
I guess I trust them because I have made them work where nothing else would have.
Hudon has photos that prove the goodness, repeatedly.
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Look, I've only been doing Trad for a year and building anchors for 2 now. I first got the C4's and noticed when placing them that I should give them a wiggle to see how stable the placement was. Somethimes they'd seat right away, and sometimes they'd just keep on trucking. I ordered a set of the Totem Totems 2 months before I could even get them. When I saw the engineering that when into them, I was very interested in them. After I read the "other" reviews on the Outdoorgearlab page I was sold. Particularly Rgolds review. I save the Totems for those spots where I want to make sure I have my best piece in there, particularly in flares They rack just fine for me, and the metal with the knurled surface seems to grip better than the C4's. I alternately rack Totem/C4.
When I first picked these things up, my much more experienced partners were skeptical. Now, one has purchesed a full set of the basics and totems, and another would like to. They ARE expensive. And the only question I have is how long will they last.
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dhayan
climber
los angeles, ca
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I have a double set now and got my first set about 3 years ago. They are the best cams in my opinion. They seat really well and I don't recall a placement ever walking. With the large range like c4's but the narrow head width the seem to fit perfectly in pin scars, wavy cracks, pods etc. with the larger sizes you can even protect those big old pins scars where nothing else will fit (like first pitch of serenity). Also, because of their large range, large camming angle, and holding power in flares, I find they fit where you'd previously need an offset cam. I hope they make a smaller size in the future. So far I have had no durability issues. As far as racking, they do look bulky but I've never found it to be a problem, as they are actually a bit lighter than c4's. Oh, and I just use them for free climbing. When I need that bomber piece, 99% of the time I'm reaching for a totem.
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Mark Hudon
Trad climber
Hood River, OR
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Without exception, everyone who I've climbed with and has used my rack of them, thought they were great and wanted some.
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couchmaster
climber
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Great cams. Better than BD. These cams do not seem to get stuck when overcammed. It's not that my partners and I don't know how to get cams stuck, we do as my Metolius Supercams are commonly getting stuck due to overcamming. I haven't had to leave a Supercam behind, but sometimes they get right in there too much. Never has occurred with a Totem. (knock wood)
3 sets here, which I sometimes won't take on an easier route or a route I have wired just so that I can preserve them.
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ghisino
climber
Italy/France
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I have one set of totems and one of c4.
Only one situation where i prefer camalots: Perfectly parallel crack,no close rests, pumped, Just want to throw in a pièce and keep going. In this kind of scenarios i find totems a tad slower to place, mainly because of the vert flexible stem.
They are stellar anywhere else. Appreciated them in Yosemite pin scars and flares, loved them even more in Wadi rum: Relatively easy climbing with interesting and sometimes sketchy pro...uneven cracks, sandy sections, slabs with a few pockets that might accept a cam, zig-zag lines needing double ropes and some tought about walking pro and rope drag...in this case I wished I had a double set, and that totem made a couple of bigger sizes...
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ninjah
Big Wall climber
a van down by the river
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Totem Cams ARE the best cam available!!
Try em' you'll see!
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the czar
climber
meyers, ca.
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got em over at sports ltd in south lake tahoe, come put your dirty little hands on them!
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dindolino32
climber
san francisco
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Feb 10, 2015 - 08:58pm PT
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yep... Best cams on the market right now. They stick in the placement, don't move and are bomber.
I find Bearbreeders input to be a little far fetched and searching for what's wrong with them. They don't walk, so I don't need to be worried about setting them as passive. If I were gonna take a whipper, I would want my best pieces under me, not the cheapest. They are a little more expensive, but they were worth it and mine don't show any wear. The stem is not too flexible, unless you are trying to shove a cam in without pulling the trigger, or are just jumaring up a crack. Every time my wife and I get sketched, we pull a totem out, place it and yell "It's totem time!" We are stoked cause we know that we got some bomber gear below us.
They stick in placements that no other cam can go. Straight in flared pin scars are just that tip of the iceberg. Get one and then prepare to buy the whole set.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Feb 10, 2015 - 09:09pm PT
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I've had my Totems for years now with heavy use, and they wear like iron. Meaning they still look almost brand new, and no issues whatsoever. Far superior to any other cam.
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philip leng
Trad climber
Solihull, UK
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Mar 13, 2015 - 09:02am PT
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Been climbing for a long time in the UK and used the original rigid friends all the way up to Totems, and they are by far and a way the best placing cams I have used. I read the Outdoor Gear Lab review and could not believe the rating they gave them. The review was was contradictory and untrue in parts - heavier than C4s....no. Floppy stem - really? Flexible yes, but floppy, no. Say how well they stick and then give them a poor rating for it???? Was disappointed by this blatantly biased review and left me very sceptical about the whole site, which is a shame as it seemed like a great service. I am coming to The Valley in May and have tooled up with many Totems for El Cap as they are as people say the one to save for the awkward placement - get the C4 in first, save the Totems for the tricky spot.
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ElbowHornet
Boulder climber
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Mar 13, 2015 - 10:30am PT
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hey there say fools
totems are fantastic not surprised, oh my precious me, the reviews are obviously biased here.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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Mar 13, 2015 - 12:18pm PT
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Interesting thread. Still have no experience with these cams, but would love to try em.
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Matt's
climber
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Mar 13, 2015 - 01:04pm PT
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totems are everything they are cracked up to be. You can do routes like the nose without an offset cam rack (well, bring a blue/green alien still...)-- that's a huge game-changer in my opinion
can't wait for the blue-alien sized totem to be produced...
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Highgloss
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Mar 13, 2015 - 05:27pm PT
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They look like incredible cams, however from a marketing and accessibility standpoint, the Totem website is a total joke. Flash based, hard to navigate and loaded with dead links and buzz words. Simplify and streamline please. Add some better videos and tons of pictures too!
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kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
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Mar 13, 2015 - 07:41pm PT
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I agree about the website. No none Spanish version. But Totem doesn't really have to care about that right now. Their cams are so far ahead of everything else that they don't need to market much.
Their biggest problem at the moment probably is supplying demand.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Mar 13, 2015 - 08:18pm PT
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Totem cams are like pieces of candy, color coded and sweet. I heart my Totems, even dry hump them a little when nobody is looking. When you are runout and sketching, its Totems baby Totems.
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john hansen
climber
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Mar 13, 2015 - 08:26pm PT
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Do Arnold and Tommy use them?
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kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
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Mar 13, 2015 - 09:06pm PT
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Thanks!
I do agree w/Highgloss, that the website does not work very well. Their cams are incredible.
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Climbnrok
Trad climber
LA
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May 31, 2015 - 05:41pm PT
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I'm a bit amazed the outdoorgearlab review is still up with the ranking unchanged after all this time and after all the resoundingly positive support for Totems. At this point the Totem review not only deserves a rewrite, but an apology.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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May 31, 2015 - 05:43pm PT
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Never trust gear reviews....be your own judge.
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Port
Trad climber
Norwalk, CT
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For the past 6 months I've been replacing my original Aliens with the totem basic cams. In this time I've come to believe that totem has actually improved on the original Alien. In terms of walking, placement versatility, cam range, weight, and other criteria the totem basic is the same or superior.
So given this success I bought my first original Totem (yellow). It's been 4 weeks and I've come to believe the design is genius. The strangest thing about the cams is a lack of "axel". The wires (12 total for 4 lobes; 4 are trigger wires)seem to pull directly on the cam's lobes. I'm not an engineer but it seems this creates a cam that has almost zero tendency to walk. In shitty horizontals or shallow pockets the cams excel over C4s.
Eventually I will have one size of each. They are worth the extra cost.
- get the C4 in first, save the Totems for the tricky spot.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Love em. Absolutely adore them. They are my go to cam.
Thanks to Heidi for the photo.
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pinckbrown
Trad climber
Woodfords, CA
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Just got my 1st Totem cam, can hardly wait to
place it!
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dindolino32
climber
san francisco
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Prepare to buy them all. I just got doubles of blue and yellow to add the the set of original totems
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skcreidc
Social climber
SD, CA
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Love my Totems. Got the BD's first because that was a commonly used cam. Gave the Totems some thought and real research after a bit of experience. Current cam rack from BD #1 on down
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couchmaster
climber
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Great cams. Someday there will be a cottage industry re-sewing Totem cam slings. C4 slings are beefy and might be able to outlive you before replacement, whereas the Totems will need reslinging. FO SURE. Hopefully a guy like Luke at Runout or Russ and Suze of Fish Products can pick up this slack?
There needs to be more sold, but I suspect it's heading our direction. For myself, I have almost 3 sets, which is more than I needed except I lost a set plus a few more and decided that I couldn't live without them. So I bought more. They are the best cam made currently IMO. Nothing works better in Red Rocks pockets and horizontals.
I later found the ones I "lost". My kid had showed up and asked to "borrow" a rope. "Hey dad, all the routes in Hell's canyon you need a 70 meter rope or you're screwed" he said. So I went and was looking for a rope for him and his buddies and wanted one with a middle mark. So I'm opening up rope bags and checking, on my 2nd check, I find my full rack inside a Metolius Rope Ranger bag nestled right next to the rope. That is the rope bag with the backback straps. Evidently I'd tossed the rack in with the rope so I could pack it out. Then forgot all about it. "Lost" my rack. The pups version went like this: "hey dad, good thing I borrow gear from you - found your rack I did".
I gave him my Clint Eastwood "Get the F*#k off My Grass Kid" stare.
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