Review - Black Diamond Camalots C4

[Cumulus]

Review - Black Diamond Camalots C4
Black Diamond Camalots don't really need much of an introduction. Camalots were the first twin axle cam design that greatly increased the range of the cam. To this day, the Camalot is renowned as having the widest applicable range of use with respect to crack size.

Historically, Camalots have been thought of as fairly hefty with respect to both weight and price. The new series can not only be found at similar prices to DMM and Wild Country kit, but are in fact overall lighter when considering a full rack.
Considering a rack of 7 similar cams, the Black Diamond set can come in up to 150 grammes lighter than DMM 4CU's or Wild Country Technical Friends. Not only this, the sizes covered by the Black Diamond kit are without doubt greater.

All in all, you can't beat Black Diamond Camalots period. The new range of C4's are fantastically designed to enable a quick and positive grip when gear needs placing quickly, so no fumbling around whilst in tight spots.
It is now possible to find Black Diamond Camalots at similar prices to other great makes, which makes them undoubtedly the kit to hang from my rack. Can anyone else give an opinion on cams? I'd like to hear of some reasons to buy other makes as I can't see any at the mo!

Buy Black Diamond C4 Camalots here > Four Seasons Outdoors

[kutty]

I just bought a set of BD C4 Camalots and finally after 3 weeks of being rained out I got to use them. They were incredible, so easy to use and so solid feeling. It was kind of a heady route I was on and it felt good to know that my pro was bomber. I had a whole assortment of other cams on my rack but these were definitely the best.

Four Seasons Outdoors

[jack8888]

Two thousand feet above the deck you find yourself in an interesting position. One hand is jammed in a splitter granite crack; the other hand is pumped beyond belief and grabbing for a piece of protection. Thankfully, you chose to rack up with Black Diamond's C4 Camalots, which increases your chances of choosing the right size on the first grab because of the unit's large expansion range. The cable loop and trigger are easy to grab, and the slings are large enough to manipulate with gloves. This is the third generation of BD Camalots and they just keep getting better-they are 30-percent lighter than the originals. So grab, place and keep moving... You're exploding up your routes with C4's by Black Diamond.

Four Seasons Outdoors

[thamarai]

The Camalot has been the SLCD (spring loaded camming device) that all other SLCD's are compared to, for about 15 years now. Camalots were recently redesigned and renamed the C4. They are is still the best SLCD that money can buy.
Dual-axles and a flexible stainless steel stem provide the range and versatility to provide ample protection while rock climbing.
Lighter than previous camalots, the C4's are still a touch heavier than other camming devices on the market.
I have climbed for almost 20 years now, and I have never once started up a traditional climb without at least a couple of BD cams (if not a whole set) on my rack. They have an incredible range, a set of 5 C4's cover the range of a set of 7-8 WC Friends.
Not only are they versatile, they are BOMBPROOF! able to hold a minimum of 12KN-16KN (around 3,000lbs) C4's are one of the strongest SLCD's available today.
SLCD's are expensive, around $50-$150 a piece, C4's are no exception and a whole rack of C4's can run in excess of $1,000 (depending on how many of each size you purchase). However, I have found that using a mix of CCH Aliens (for protecting cracks up to 1") and C4's (1" and up) work best for me. The largest size C4, the #6, is not quite as stable as the comparable sized WC Friend (also a #6) and I would take a #6 Friend over a #6 C4 any day.

I would like to take a second and address a comment I received. It sounded as if I was being asked to write a technical commercial for the C4 rather than write my opinion on my experiences with this product.
Recently redesigned and renamed..." - What was the previous name, how was it redesigned, and why are the changes significant?
dude, right in the first sentence I stated the C4's former name "camalot". as for the design changes, they were made significantly lighter, as i mentioned 3 sentences later.

"...the C4 is still the best SLCD that money can buy." - Why? What about the features you mention sets it apart from the competition?
ask any rock climber, today after work stop by REI and ask the clerk at the climbing counter what is the best SLCD on the market.

Four Seasons Outdoors