C4 .5 or Mastercam equivalent?
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Hi, I'm going to build a rack, I'll be buying some C4s (.75-3) and I'm not sure if I should get the .5 with the order I'm placing, or hold off and get the Mastercam equivalent when I get smaller cams down the line. |
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i have pretty extensive experience with both cams. i think the .5 camalot is a better choice. here are some reasons why |
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I have triples in both, 0.5 BD C4, (1st gen, 2nd gen, C4) purple, and metolius #3 orange (u stem, master cam x2) and carry them on a regular basis. I always, for some reason, go for any of the BD purple first well before thinking of the metolius in that size. I am not brand loyal, and anything smaller I will always go for the metolius first. 0.5 seems to be the tipping point, but at the purple BD size, my thoughts are they are close in range, but BD with a 2 axle design covers a little bit more. Besides, when you get to a crack that can fit both sized cam, why not go with the one with a larger (double axle) range since a crystal or other irregularity can alter the placement to make one not fit. Besides, at 0.5 and above, cracks generally will fit both with no problem anyway (unless you are stuffing it into a tight boxed out pin scar and mm count for width). My point which is not grounded in science but the thought is that likely either will work fine... But on a side note, I have a BD Ustem 0.5 or Metolius #3 for a good price if you want them. |
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Parkerkempf - Thanks, good to know that the range of the .5 is bigger. Actually your feedback makes me rethink mastercams in general. What do you use for smaller cams? |
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DrApnea - Cool, I'm feeling good about the C4. Maybe overthinking things, but at $50 apiece, I just didn't wanna make an unconsidered choice. |
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revised my post as shown above. |
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where are you living at. You can pick up used gear (solid but used) at a good price in most climbing towns. If you are around SLC you can borrow both sizes from me and buy the one you want after playing around with them. |
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I realize that you did not ask about these but the .5 and .75 omega pacific link cams have come in handy for me. I have just started trad climbing and when you find a good place these cams are really bomber. They have a great range. That being said they are expensive pieces but do complement other pieces in the similiar range. |
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DrApnea wrote:where are you living at. You can pick up used gear (solid but used) at a good price in most climbing towns. If you are around SLC you can borrow both sizes from me and buy the one you want after playing around with them.I'm in CT. Nearest climbing town is New Paltz, after that it's New Hampshire. I found a deal online where I can get 5 C4s new for $200 (after rebates). I just wasn't sure if the .5 was worth buying, or if I should just go with .75-3. But thanks for the offer! |
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One set of metolius, one set of BD. Done. |
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caughtinside wrote: If you're in the desert and you only have two sets of cams you're probably already screwed, doesn't matter what brands you've got.Makes me wonder if you've done much climbing in the desert besides the creek. To the point, which perhaps you missed, variety and choice wins out in my book. |
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In this size BD makes the best cam on the market in my opinion. However, I have both BD and Mastercams on my rack. I like to use the Mastercams for aiding and horizontal cracks because they seem more flexible. Once again, my opinion. Have fun and good luck. |
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the #3 mastercam and the .5 complement each other well, if it's slightly tight for the C4 the mastercam slots right in and vice versa. get both. sales make the hurt on the wallet less. |
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I'll be getting my C4s pretty cheap through Moosejaw. 15% off, plus a $21 BD gift card with a $200 BD total purchase, plus Moosejaw reward points. So if I buy 4 C4s at 15% off for just over $200 bucks, I basically get the 5th cam for $10. It's like $220 for 5 cams, .5-3. Pretty good. (If you happen to be spending that much on BD products at once). |
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Previously I climbed with a set of BD C4s (0.5 to 4) and a set of WC Tech Friends (1/2 through 3 1/2), and recently sold the Tech Friends and instead got doubles of the C4s for the following reasons: |
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Can anyone verify the non-water resistant aspect of mastercams that parkerkempf pointed out? I have a 2 and 3 mastercam and I love them. I haven't climbed in a storm or rain with them yet though, and that really sketched me out. |
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I carry mainly bd, totem and alien for cams under 1" (.5 bd or smaller) |
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Purple Totem cam in that size is the best you can get. Far better than C4s or mastercams. |
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Recently i climbed the diamond, the route was dripping and it snowed. When I was on the route we used both bd and mastercams. During and after the climb i noticed no sticking on either of the cams, both were unaffected. |
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Evan Sanders wrote:Purple Totem cam in that size is the best you can get. Far better than C4s or mastercams.I am curious about Totems now. I'll be looking at them when it's time to add smaller cams. |
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muttonface wrote: Sounds like a fantastical deal to me. Now... if only I had the discipline to save that much money. You sir, are a bargain-finding Jedi.Lol, thanks. Though surely there's a threshold beyond which time spent bargain-finding steadily negates the bargain... |