Difference between Totem, Kailas, Fixe, etc

 I am in the market for a 2nd rack of cams + some smaller cams. I've heard a lot of about Aliens, Totems, Fixe, Revo, Kailas, etc. etc but am not sure what the difference between each of these are and why totems are always out of stock. Specifically, I was wondering:

1. What is the difference between each of the brands are in term of cost, functionality, and quality?
2. Are any of these companies more ethical than the other? - Case in point, I believe Metolius > BD. They are 100% US made, strongly stand behind their product, and have much better customer service. Whereas BD, meh...
3. I've seen a Kailas selling a lot of cams that look exactly like Totems if Kailas is rebranding Totems why is there no mention of Totems anywhere on their website?

Sorry, guys if this has been answered before but the whole Aliens/Totems things have blown up over the last year and am trying to piece together what all the fuss is about.

It’s not really that complicated if you make a minimum of effort. In fact, there is an active totem thread on the front page of this very forum

Unless you mean the Alien Revolutions, the Revo is a belay device from Wild Country.

1. Totems are the priciest of that bunch. Fixe (Aliens) has had quality-control issues in the past; not sure where they stand now. I have Totems but not Aliens, so I can't compare the performance. I'm sure others can and will.

2. Don't really know.

3. Kailas is a Chinese company. Totem makes cams for them; they are the same as Totems. On the Kailas site, they're called Totem Cams. Kailas does not seem to have the black and orange (smallest and largest), though. I got a great pro deal on all the Kailas cams and was able to purchase a black and orange Totem.

The most important thing to know is that if you get your hands on a black Totem, your onsight grade instantly goes up by at least three full grades, even in off-width. Just carrying one bestows its benefits.

alexd81 wrote: It’s not really that complicated if you make a minimum of effort. In fact, there is an active totem thread on the front page of this very forum

The thread you speak of talk about deals on Totem and has no coherent information on why should I buy them. I'm just looking for clear and concise information about a product from a source (MP) that has no skin in the game. 

Totem makes 2 types of cams which are totally different. One is a unique innovation and the other (basics) is an improved version of the alien. Up until recently, totem has had a quality track record of QC while fixe's aliens have always been horrible QC. Totem, however, stands behind their products while Fixe's customer service is complete shit.

Most people agree the totem basics are a better version of the alien cam than Fixe's. However, the totem basics are recalled at the moment and not available. I think the kailas brand cams weren't affected by the recall and are still available.

hopefully OP is not a troll

Aliens - Lots of people loved them, lots of people don't love them. Some lines of them had issues / exploded / robbed a bank ? Recalls happened, they aren't made anymore, so you don't have to worry about them, they aren't an option.

Totems - There are "totem cams" and "totem basics". Two different cams. Totem MT is in Spain. They sell Totem cams. There are plenty of shops that also carry these as they are popular and your onsight grade DOES IN FACT instantly go up by at least three full grades, even in off-width. Totem does not sell basics anymore. Totem basics are an alternate mostly? not recalled version of the original alien cam.

Fixe - Another alternate version of the alien cam. Kalias basics seem to be the preference over these. I have only used the Kalias Totem Basics so I don’t have experience with the original aliens or Fixe Aliens to compare to.

Revo - ?

Kailas - Euro Black Diamond type company I think? They sell what are essentially totem basics. They are made in and ship from China. I think most folks have good stuff to say about them. The blue is hard to find right now. If you find one its like getting a rare pokemon card?

LOTS of information exists about these cams if you search the forums. All everyone does is talk about totems on MP. No one climbs anymore, something something you're gonna die.

Varun Ramesh wrote: The thread you speak of talk about deals on Totem and has no coherent information on why should I buy them. I'm just looking for clear and concise information about a product from a source (MP) that has no skin in the game. 

In fact, there is a relevant link or two in that thread, because somebody asks a variation of your questions on a pretty regular basis

alexd81 wrote:

In fact, there is a relevant link or two in that thread, because somebody asks a variation of your questions on a pretty regular basisI'

I'm sorry I didn't read through every single post. I don't know what your point is. Others seem to be happy to help out. 

Varun Ramesh wrote: I'm sorry I didn't read through every single post. I don't know what your point is. Others seem to be happy to help out. 

I did help you out. By learning to use a web search and reading posts, you will know everything there is to know about totems

Briggs Lazalde wrote: This doesnt need to escalate. Let the guy have his thread. Hes hurting no one. If your'e upset, you're making the choice to be so. He's looking for quick information. 

You’re right, of course

Cole D wrote: hopefully OP is not a troll

Aliens - Lots of people loved them, lots of people don't love them. Some lines of them had issues / exploded / robbed a bank ? Recalls happened, they aren't made anymore, so you don't have to worry about them, they aren't an option.

Totems - There are "totem cams" and "totem basics". Two different cams. Totem MT is in Spain. They sell Totem cams. There are plenty of shops that also carry these as they are popular and your onsight grade DOES IN FACT instantly go up by at least three full grades, even in off-width. Totem does not sell basics anymore. Totem basics are an alternate mostly? not recalled version of the original alien cam.

Fixe - Another alternate version of the alien cam. Kalias basics seem to be the preference over these. I have only used the Kalias Totem Basics so I don’t have experience with the original aliens or Fixe Aliens to compare to.

Revo - ?

Kailas - Euro Black Diamond type company I think? They sell what are essentially totem basics. They are made in and ship from China. I think most folks have good stuff to say about them. The blue is hard to find right now. If you find one its like getting a rare pokemon card?

LOTS of information exists about these cams if you search the forums. All everyone does is talk about totems on MP. No one climbs anymore, something something you're gonna die.

Cole, Eli, and Robert, No I'm not a troll, just don't keep up with the latest gear. Thanks a lot for the info.

Varun Ramesh wrote: Cole, Eli, and Robert, No I'm not a troll, just don't keep up with the latest gear. Thanks a lot for the info.

Yea dude, all good!

Search the forums and you’ll find lots of good info , lots of useless info, and occasional comedy gold

Faders huh

Jaren Watson wrote:

Where have you seen CCH Aliens?

A couple sets of old, genuine CCH Aliens showed up in the For Sale forum just a week ago. Anyone considering them REALLY must do their homework re. CCH's quality issues.

I've had no issues with my fixe revolution aliens. Since you can actually get them, unlike totem basics, and quite often with a discount it was an easy choice for me. Little to no difference in use between the fixe alien revolution and totem/kailas basic models. Quality looks good to me; better than the CCH ones.

The totem cams (the crazy looking ones with all the cables) are a different story. The hype is real. They're REALLY great, although scarcity has driven the price up to insane levels. No small cam is worth $100 unless it plugs itself in and pours a beer for you. If you can find them at a reasonable price, go for it; you won't be disappointed.

If you like Metolius, why not look at the mastercams or TCUs? The new UL mastercams don't have a thumb loop, but that shouldn't be too big of an issue unless you're aid climbing. My old blue, yellow, orange mastercams were some of my favorites. Both of these options are much cheaper too; $50-ish, often on sale for less. If you need the thumb loops, you can hunt around for some of the old mastercams on the forums here too (they're often posted) and send them into Metolius who will recondition them to new condition for a few bucks.

PS: All these brands/styles are for smaller cams < 1". The bigger cams of the same design are fussy/floppy and I think they suck; stick with C4s or friends or whatever you fancy to round out that second rack in the larger sizes.

Robert S wrote: black Totem, your onsight grade instantly goes up by at least three full grades, even in off-width. Just carrying one bestows its benefits.

Black totem in tinder profile photo = swipe right

Aaron Nash wrote: I've had no issues with my fixe revolution aliens. Since you can actually get them, unlike totem basics, and quite often with a discount it was an easy choice for me. Little to no difference in use between the fixe alien revolution and totem/kailas basic models. Quality looks good to me; better than the CCH ones.

I can also say that the fixe Revos have been great. I use them on every climb and they have been flawless so far since last January. I have black through yellow and 2 hybrids.

Sean Onasch wrote:

I can also say that the fixe Revos have been great. I use them on every climb and they have been flawless so far since last January. I have black through yellow and 2 hybrids.

IIRC, the Revos have had QC issues discovered already, and all of the previous versions had major QC issues sometimes resulting in failure & injury. Your's might be fine but the batch before or after yours might just explode. 

eli poss wrote:

IIRC, the Revos have had QC issues discovered already, and all of the previous versions had major QC issues sometimes resulting in failure & injury. Your's might be fine but the batch before or after yours might just explode. 

I'm definitely aware of their QC issues. I got a great deal on my mine so I took a chance. After I purchased them, I called the company to have them visually inspected before shipping out. All the cams work amazingly well, and are a necessity in my Eldo rack. The new dragons coming out in the spring, may be a better option for those seeking micro cams in the future.

Kailas is a Chinese company but Kailas cams are not made in China. They are just Totems, and Totem Basics, with Kailas printed on them. It even says "Made in Spain" right here... https://www.kailasgear.com/nuco-cam-totem-basic-cam-_p2222.html 

Totems are always out of stock because Totem MT is a tiny Spanish company making a product that too many people want, and seem unable to make more, and unwilling to raise the price to market-clearing. The weird OEM relationship with Kailas probably doesn't help. Anyone in the US with a Kailas-branded Totem/Basic has a cam that's probably been shipped over 20,000 miles before it reached their hands, which hardly screams "supply chain efficiency"...

All that said, Totems and Basics are really great gear, and worth the money.

Totems have the best range and holding power combo of any cam out there (short of a well placed Alien offset in a pin scar and even then...). I think they are less likely to get stuck than any other cam as well and they don't walk easy either. The Orange gets a tad floppy, but it works fine.

FACT!  LOL "The most important thing to know is that if you get your hands on a black Totem, your onsight grade instantly goes up by at least three full grades, even in off-width. Just carrying one bestows its benefits. "