IDing Cam manufacture date

Hi, 

So it's the time of the year again when the trad rack needs some TLC after a season of beating. I was trying to compile an sheet with dates of when my cams were manufactured so that I can plan on getting some of them re-slung before the start of the next season. This is the first time I'm doing this and don't really have the receipts for all my purchases, so I'm going about trying to id the manufacture dates from the cams. I have a  mixed set of cams (metolius, omega pacifics, and BDs) and so far I have been able to ID the BD cams (4 digits on the flat section of the colored lobe e.g. 7041- 41st day of the year 2007) and Metolius (date printed on the trigger) but I haven't had much luck  with the omega pacific link cams. Any of you fine gentleman help out this OCD climber?

Yours truly

Mr. Anxious

I believe there's a tag on the inside of the sling with the manufacture date.

ebmudder wrote:

I believe there's a tag on the inside of the sling with the manufacture date.

My tag on the inside of one of the cams says 06128 (next line 007). Not sure what to make of it.

hmmm...it could the 128th day of 2006...that would be the first year they were manufactured...is it that old?

What about calling or emailing the manufacturer.  And are you replacing based on age or wear level. 

ebmudder wrote:

hmmm...it could the 128th day of 2006...that would be the first year they were manufactured...is it that old?

I purchased it last year. I doubt its from 2006. I probably will call the manufacturer.

Varun

weird...I have an older #2 cam with a code like "08168" on it, and a set of newer ones that all have mm/yy codes on them:

Scottmx426 wrote:

What about calling or emailing the manufacturer.  And are you replacing based on age or wear level. 

Excellent question. I was actually planning on reslinging my cams based on age and wear level (which ever comes earlier). Based on age, the general consensus seems to be to resling Nylon after 5 years of moderate use and Dyneema after 2 years. Based on wear,  any fading, fraying and discolouration is a good indicator that its time to get it resling. 

The age of the sling would be the least of my worries on a link cam.

ebmudder wrote:

weird...I have an older #2 cam with a code like "08168" on it, and a set of newer ones that all have mm/yy codes on them:

Thanks for the info. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if my cams cams are from 2006. I bought it on a sale and they don't sell in very large volumes.   This is a good enough reason for me to get them reslung. 

Dave Kos wrote:

The age of the sling would be the least of my worries on a link cam.

This is a topic for separate discussion. I agree with with your sentiment and think they are not for beginners, but I strongly believe that there's a place for the link cam in the experienced trad climbers rack. I have especially found them useful on long alpine routes to decrease the weight of my rack. 

ebmudder wrote:

hmmm...it could the 128th day of 2006...that would be the first year they were manufactured...is it that old?

I have a second one that says 05167. Per your statement it would out it at 2005 i.e. before they were ever manufactured. So I doubt the first 2 digits are the year of manufacture.

Varun Ramesh wrote:

This is a topic for separate discussion. I agree with with your sentiment and think there not for beginners, but I strongly believe that there's a place for the link cam in the experienced trad climbers rack. I have especially found them useful on long alpine routes to decrease the weight of my rack. 

Fair enough, but if you have any doubts, why not just have them reslung and reset the clock?

Or just go by the purchase date.  A year, or two, or five on the store shelf won't make any difference in the real world.  It's not as if the sling suddenly fails past it's expiration date.

Fwiw...I had one reslung by Yates gear a few years ago for $6 and they matched the sling exactly. The recommended resling interval from O-P was 5 yrs...but that would depend on usage. 

Varun Ramesh wrote:

Thanks for the info. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if my cams cams are from 2006. I bought it on a sale and they don't sell in very large volumes.   This is a good enough reason for me to get them reslung. 

I’ve also bought (new) sale cams with dated tags that were as old as 5-6 years. And many manufacturers only started dating slings fairly recently. Within 10 years. I think nylon if well taken care of will last far longer than 5 years. Exp dates are suggestions partially to address liability issues. 

Down thread comment. Link cams although don’t have any are great for building anchors since they have huge ranges. My partner has a few for just this reason.