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froggy
Sep 26, 2002, 10:21 PM
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Registered: Oct 4, 2001
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I am looking into getting some micro camalots..
Would you say zero's are the way to go???
or
BD Micro's?
What's your favorite and why? This will be for free climbing - not aid (yet)..
Thanks!,
Sara
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mikedano
Sep 26, 2002, 10:40 PM
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Do not--repeat do not--get BD microcams. I have one (the smallest one with the double axle, don't know number...) and it isn't very good. The small BD cams are freakishly wide, and it's hard to find cracks that are thin enough and parallel enough to accept them. I do like the larger sizes though...
Haven't tried the zero ones, but I've used the small Aliens and when I get some cash I'm going to get some.
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mountainmonkey
Sep 26, 2002, 10:40 PM
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I have used the WC zeros, Aliens, TCUs, and I just bootied a new .3 micro camalot . I don't like the Zeros, mostly because the trigger is too close to the cams making them hard place in pinscars and other cracks. Aliens are the way to go and TCUs a close second (it really depends on the type of rock). The Zeros have a wide head compared to the width of aliens/tcus. The microcamalots have the widest head if I remember correctly. Wide heads are only nice for parallel sided sandstone splitters. 4 camming units are also better for sandstone and other soft rock. For pinscars and undulating cracks, a narrower head is better. just my opinion.
casey
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csoles
Sep 26, 2002, 11:15 PM
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Actually Casey, that's only true on the largest 2 Zeros (slightly wider than Aliens). The middle 2 Zeroes are narrower than Aliens and the smallest 2 look cool on a keychain or rearview mirror. TCUs are the narrowest but the U-stem often gets in the way. All the data is in two charts on my website. Personally, I like Zeros and Aliens in micro sizes.
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whipper
Sep 26, 2002, 11:27 PM
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I dont think much of the design of the zeros. To short and triger not placed well. You cant beat aliens and metolious.
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tim
Sep 26, 2002, 11:58 PM
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the #1 and #2 Zeros suck, lowe balls or micronuts work better in those placements.
Anyone want to trade a green Alien for a green (#2) Zero cam? (I'm an asshead)
the #3 and #4 Zeros are AWESOME, much better than the 00 (grey) and 0 (purple) TCUs that they are equivalent to. They are supposedly stronger than the black and blue aliens too.
They are extremely lightweight and the doubled sling is a nice touch, as well.
the #5 and #6 Zeros are similar in size to the blue/yellow TCUs and the green/yellow Aliens, therefore, I would not buy them.
I place (and have fallen on, at times) my blue/yellow TCUs and yellow Alien (an xmas gift from my usual partner, now in NZ) a lot.
They're great -- I recently got a good deal on doubles of the TCUs from Bill Folk. Score!
Other small cams:
The gray, purple, and green micro camalots (.4, .5, .75) are very nice and their expansion range is superior to anything else in that range. I place mine all the time. They weigh more than the same sized TCUs and are much wider -- some areas pretty much mandate TCUs (Looking Glass comes to mind).
My thin cams rack contains the gold and silver Zeros; the gray, purple, and green Camalots; doubles of blue and yellow TCUs; and my yellow Alien. I own other pieces and other sizes but they generally only show up on my sling/harness if I need doubles/triples in a size or am aiding a thin-expando pitch.
YMMV. pay attention to Clyde, by the way.
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froggy
Sep 27, 2002, 5:21 PM
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Registered: Oct 4, 2001
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Thanks you guys... I have aliens and love them
I just was thinking of doubling up on the (green and yellow) small size stuff or maybe getting a size blue too. Has anyone ever fallen on a blue alien?
and
What do you have for your small stuff on your rack?
Regarding the Metolius.. I hear they are the strongest in the small sized stuff... But I hate the triggers on those things!
Thanks again..
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diplodocus
Sep 28, 2002, 2:29 AM
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Registered: Jul 1, 2002
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what about the Rock Empire Microflex Cam? Any one used them before?
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tim
Sep 28, 2002, 3:02 AM
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Registered: Apr 4, 2002
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If you hate the triggers on the TCUs in the yellow and blue sizes then the choice is obvious, you should double up on the Aliens.
They're awesome in the yellow and green sizes.
(edit: I put 'blue' when I meant 'green'. I have no idea how well the blue Alien holds.)
[ This Message was edited by: jabbeaux on 2002-09-27 20:04 ]
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