|
crackedribs
Aug 12, 2005, 8:32 PM
Post #1 of 10
(1668 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 31, 2002
Posts: 20
|
Hi I am wondering if people have an opinion as to which large #6 cam they like? The new BD C4 #6 or Wild Country Tech Friend #6
If you have time include reasons why?
I am looking to buy one and would like some feedback.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
tomtom
Aug 12, 2005, 8:44 PM
Post #2 of 10
(1668 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 9, 2004
Posts: 366
|
I have the Wild Country #6. The weights, expansion range, and strengths are almost identical (the WC is still a little lighter). The biggest difference is that the lobes on the WC are further apart, which may make for more stable placements.
Also I bought it for $59 new from an online retailer!
|
|
|
|
|
crackedribs
Aug 12, 2005, 9:09 PM
Post #3 of 10
(1668 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 31, 2002
Posts: 20
|
do you notice issues with the lobes hitting your finger when pulling the trigger?
I feel like the BD pulls a lot easier?
|
|
|
|
|
tim
Aug 12, 2005, 9:45 PM
Post #4 of 10
(1668 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 4, 2002
Posts: 4861
|
I've had that problem too, with the WC. But, when I bought mine, it was the only cam of its size, so it was that or nothing. And it's still a lot cheaper than the BD (I got my WC #6 for $70, if I remember correctly).
Both are very, very well executed pieces. The Wild Country cam still has stiffer springs than the Black Diamond unit, which in my mind always contributed to its relatively low tendency to walk, compared to BD units.
What I ended up doing was learning to use only my index finger and middle finger for the pull, near the middle stem. Then I don't get hit by the lobes.
|
|
|
|
|
vegastradguy
Aug 12, 2005, 11:04 PM
Post #5 of 10
(1668 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 28, 2002
Posts: 5919
|
i have the old Camalot #5 and the new C4 #6, and my partner has the WC #6.
Although the WC is lighter and has a larger expansion range, I dont personally care for the action or how it carries...i find it difficult to put a stick in to retract the lobes, plus the lobes tend to do weird things.
The BD C4 is my favorite of the two BD cams, it has a larger expansion range for the price of a couple more grams- but it has better trigger action and is easy to retract the lobes, plus the double axles keeps the lobes put and that is a plus for me.
I've heard the talk about more stable placements from the WC- but in my experience, i've never had any stability issues from the BD's, and both of my largest cams get plenty of use out here in RR...
just my $0.02
|
|
|
|
|
evanwish
Mar 29, 2008, 6:15 AM
Post #6 of 10
(912 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 23, 2007
Posts: 1040
|
[quote "vegastradguy"]Although the WC is lighter and has a larger expansion range[/quote]
i think you have the second part backwards,
WC= 3" of expansion
BD= 3.18" of expasion
|
|
|
|
|
8flood8
Mar 29, 2008, 3:28 PM
Post #7 of 10
(835 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 1436
|
BD has smooth action. i've never used the wc
but my next large range purchase will be bigbro #2.
|
|
|
|
|
billcoe_
Mar 29, 2008, 6:11 PM
Post #8 of 10
(789 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 30, 2002
Posts: 4694
|
I have both, but although I don't use them as much as vegastradguy, I feel like he does. I keep hearing from wide master specialists that the wild county works better as it is less likely to walk, but I think the BD has the edge on the ease of placement.
For crack jugging it for sure dies. (you put the piece in and walk it up with you as you aid or free)
Frankly, I think I trust the WC more, but have no rational basis for that thought, I've never fallen on any large cam ever. It might be because I have never heard a bad word about them, and they were the first to make a cam and I learned to trust them, while the early BDs had problems sticking.
I think if I was trying to buy my first one right now, I'd try to buy a used one, and as the BDs are more common, I'd probably end up with one of them.
Good luck!
|
|
|
|
|
gunksgoer
Mar 29, 2008, 9:52 PM
Post #9 of 10
(738 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 27, 2004
Posts: 1290
|
I have both and I rarely use them, there just isnt much in the east that requires something that big. I only doubled up because we were heading to yosemite for the summer and I wanted to be able to leap frog them on wide stuff. I bought the wc first for half price and I think I like it more, the camalot springs seem a little flimsy while the tech friend is a beast. The #5 tech friend is also great, Ive gotten tons of use out of it and it fits into a set of camalots just fine.
|
|
|
|
|
wmfork
Mar 30, 2008, 1:14 AM
Post #10 of 10
(680 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jan 4, 2006
Posts: 348
|
I own a #6 C4 and have used a #6 friend. The BD is quite a bit easier to slide but the friend feels quite a bit more stable. If you only need 1 then get the BD, otherwise get friends + 1 BD.
|
|
|
|
|
|
