CCH Aliens

Hi All,

I understand that Colorado Custom Hardware has had many difficulties lately, but does anyone know the status of the company at the moment? I sent my cams in to be re-slung last December (8 months ago) as the president of CCH told me they were in business and would fix them, but they have not returned my gear yet and have not responded to my repeated phone calls and emails. WTF?

last I heard they were sold to Fixe. there's an article on here somewhere. do a search.

This is cross-posted from Supertopo.com:

Actually, DKClimber, that fits the CCH M.O. perfectly. Sorry, but your cams are probably gone.

On a good note, at the trade show last week I held in my hands a perfect Alien, now made by Fixe in Spain. I guess they bought the company from Dave's widow and are manufacturing what appears to be the v.2 Aliens. I hope they didn't pay too much for the company...

Here're the good things:

Fixe is a well established Euro company with ISO 9000 compliance and the knowledge and resources to get things done.

In order to be produced in the Euro-zone they have to have the CE rating and testing. They can't simply stamp the unit or advertise that they are CE/UIAA as CCH did.

The Aliens had that sweet, "Alien" snap that new ones always had.

Here're the questionable things:

They said they were going to deliver next month but had no idea what the price was. Their target price was $65. Now I've been in the manufacturing world and know well that "delivery next month" and "we're not sure what the price will be" are pretty incompatible concepts. If they are delivering next month, they need to have units on the shelf now, packaging completed, testing and certifications finished and a distribution plan in place. They also know their production costs and margins and prices. So my guess is that you won't see anything next month.

The other questionable thing is that the units displayed said "Made in USA". The rep there told me that part of their agreement with Nadia was that they would be identical in every way to the CCH version, including the markings, "CCH" and "Made in USA". But if they are made in Spain, like they say, that can't say "Made in USA" or customs will stop them cold. So, for just a little more weirdness, the rep told me the samples I was holding were made at Fixe in Spain but they were absolutely identical to the last CCH Aliens I saw that came out of Laramie. Even the milling artifacts on the lobes and the sides of the cable head were identical. Hmmmm.

I'm also very very skeptical of hitting the $65 target price. When we were negotiating with Dave to buy CCH, we took samples to China for a quote after being unable to find anyone who would touch them in the USA. The best quote we got for 25,000 units was LOC, $32 FOB China. Going through the normal distribution steps would make them a $150 cam. Now I know that Spain's economy is in the toilet but I'll bet it still costs more to produce in Spain than it does in China. So, like I said, I'm skeptical.

Whatever. It's great to see that a reputable company has taken over the production of the Aliens and I'll be one of the first in line to replace my old used ones.

I hope they can do it.

Mal

BTW, I talked to a rep, not to Kevin, and reps are notorious disseminators of bad information. Kevin, you out there?

FYI,
starting this fall, totemcam will also be selling a cam very similar to the Aliens called the "basic cam".

http://www.totemcams.com/content/index.php?id=1&se=3&su=1307635863

My friend just emailed me that new Aliens are sold for 80$ in Gunks Rock and Snow.

That doesn't seem worth the price

I get that people are really attached to the Alien design, but I can't imagine paying 30% more for them than, say, Mastercams.

I was in Rock & Snow on Tuesday & they said the Fixe Aliens were selling well. I think they said they got about 150 cams less than a month ago and only have about 20 left.

Looks like Mountain Tools will carry them too.
mountaintools.com/cat/rclim…

Totem Basic Cams go for $60 whereas Fixe Aliens retail for $80. Totem sells Yellow, Red & Green Basic cams plus the Yellow/Red and Red/Green Hybrid. Fixe also provides the Blue and Gray Alien but no Hybrids yet.

Here's a comparison of specs. Looks like the Fixe version are heavier yet stronger (but it's hard to know if Totem & Fixe use the same testing methodology).

ChooChoo wrote:Looks like the Fixe version are heavier yet stronger (but it's hard to know if Totem & Fixe use the same testing methodology).

They aren't stronger, and they don't use the same testing methods.

Evan Sanders wrote: They aren't stronger, and they don't use the same testing methods.

care to elaborate on the statement?

rock_fencer wrote: care to elaborate on the statement?

Yeah I will unless someone else does before me, I'm kind of browsing MP as a distraction to something more important right now. But the exact testing info is on another thread (I think in Gear Reviews) and a good explanation can be found there. If you don't want to look for it when I have time tonight I'll search for it.

Evan Sanders wrote: Yeah I will unless someone else does before me, I'm kind of browsing MP as a distraction to something more important right now. But the exact testing info is on another thread (I think in Gear Reviews) and a good explanation can be found there. If you don't want to look for it when I have time tonight I'll search for it.

i thought the other thread was talking about Totem basic vs. CCH not Fixe. The whole 80% (CCH) vs 25% (Totem) cam closure.

Its kinda moot since the numbers are very similar between Fixe and Totem

rock_fencer wrote: i thought the other thread was talking about Totem basic vs. CCH not Fixe. The whole 80% (CCH) vs 25% (Totem) cam closure. Its kinda moot since the numbers are very similar between Fixe and Totem

Yeah it was. I also read somewhere though that Fixe does their testing like CCH. Again, I'll have to look where, I can't remember.

You're right though, it doesn't really matter. They're both strong, and to say one is stronger for climbing purposes just seems a little ridiculous to me since those break strength numbers will very, very rarely be reached. For practical purposes, they are equally strong (and more than likely for testing purposes, but since they don't test the gear the same I can't really say that for sure)

Any idea (anyone) is there's any hope of getting a trashed CCH Alien repaired? I have one that needs new springs (and other fixes I can take care of).

Gunkiemike wrote:Any idea (anyone) is there's any hope of getting a trashed CCH Alien repaired? I have one that needs new springs (and other fixes I can take care of).

Wired Bliss repaired broken trigger wires and even replaced a spring on my old Alien. I believe they'll re-sling your cams as well if necessary. Quick turn around & cheap. Highly recommended.

So, Fixe Aliens are definitely going to happen?

Scott O wrote:So, Fixe Aliens are definitely going to happen?

yes, they are out on the market in a few shops currently. hopefully they roll out some more. LGO may carry them in the next few months hopefully.

rock_fencer wrote: yes, they are out on the market in a few shops currently. hopefully they roll out some more. LGO may carry them in the next few months hopefully.

Sweet.

I ordered mine straight from the site. The said the estimated shipping date would be November the 6th, and I received my cam on November the 15th. The ship from Portland, Oregon and from what I can tell it looks like they're using a business account UPS economy shipping method. So shipping usually takes 7-14 business days depending on your locale in the US. I'm Stoked on mine!!

edit to add: They're offered for 59.95 on the totem website. So why pay 80 bucks at your local climbing store? I understand loyalty, and all that. But if you spend a ton of money there already save yourself some!2

Toby B wrote:I get that people are really attached to the Alien design, but I can't imagine paying 30% more for them than, say, Mastercams.

Toby, Toby, Toby. Aliens are the best.