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holdplease2
Aug 21, 2007, 4:13 AM
Post #76 of 89
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Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 1733
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Hey Guys:
I've aided on my OP link cams, free climbed with them, and fallen on them on lead (twice). They work great.
I destroyed one entirely due to the trigger wires and have three more old-style cams. Don't want to give them up to send them in for repairs because I don't want to be without them.
I don't really feel like climbing without them, I love them very much!!
-Kate.
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wedgy
Aug 21, 2007, 4:43 AM
Post #77 of 89
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Registered: Nov 13, 2003
Posts: 69
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As to how they perform I am satisfied BUT, what broke the 1st one was a fall that pulled the stem against the rock. It caught the fall but(another but) broke the trigger rendering it useless. The trigger assembly is not field or home replaceable so my question remains. If you break the trigger(easy to do) is the cam junk? There is no way for you to put another one around the stem. Also the lube they use(if they use any) is "light". After 1 month they all queaked and lost thier previously smooth action(close to binding) while all 3 others on the rack(BD,CCH,Metol) kept their same function. They weren't dragged through the dirt, but I don't wax or detail my gear . Shouldn't have to. My position is ;I love the cam BUT I have questions about the durability. I don't want to be sending it back after every climb.
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landongw
Aug 21, 2007, 4:52 AM
Post #78 of 89
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Registered: Nov 2, 2004
Posts: 114
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I don't know what the deal with OP is, but i have serious qualms about anything they make at this point.
A few years back i picked up a set of OP scallop nuts on sale. I racked them up and started using them, only to discover that two of them were defective. One had the hole that the cable goes through in the nut way to close to the edge <1/16th", basically off center. The other nut looked as if it had been smashed in a hydraulic press, and then anodized over the mangled nut.
I wrote to OP and was told to send them in and they would send me a new set of nuts. SWEET!
So, i got the new set in the mail....and one of the same nuts that was replaced was defective. This time, one side of the nut was scallopped and the other was square and flat. Basically they forgot to cut the scallopp. This got me thinking, "shit, if they could forget that, then they could forget to swage a cable just as easily." So, i promptly cut all of the plastic off of the cables and inspected them. They were all fine, but if i hadn't checked i'd be continually shitting myself above them. Out of 20 pieces of gear that i've owned from them 3 were defective, that's a 15% defect rate. And all three were different defects! downright scary if you ask me, needless to say, I just say no to OP now.
bummer too, as they used to have a legendary reputation for stellar QC.
Having said all that, i must say that problems have been found and recalls have been made from almost every manufacturer at some point.
Moral of the story? educate yourself and inspect your own gear, as always in climbing, only you are responsible for your safety.
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the_climber
Aug 21, 2007, 4:16 PM
Post #79 of 89
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Registered: Oct 9, 2003
Posts: 6142
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To all those bitching and whining:
A few things:
1) You should likely be putting some of the blame for non-perfect nuts being shipped on the individual who shipped them from the gear store. When I was working in gear stores we were required to inspect all gear and product upon receiving the shipment TO the store, AND re inspect it prior to shipping.
2) If you have issues relating to #1, go to the gear store and inspect your gear prior to purchase. Or, don't buy from places where staff are not knowledgeable.
3) With any, and I mean ANY, piece of gear with that many moving parts... did you think they were going to be maintenance free?!!!?!!!!!!? The fact that cleaning Link cams is required somewhat frequently is nothing new, most of us either knew about it when they came out or figured it out on our own.
4) Regarding trigger breakage. I have seen almost every type of cam on the market receive trigger damage as a result of either a fall, aiding, or poor placement. Are link cams more susceptible to this? Maybe, maybe not. You may simple have to place them differently than other cams... this is nothing new either as the original reviews seem to have mentioned that they take some getting used to.
5) Learn how to repair your gear in the field. Especially cams! This is something everyone should know.
6) When shipping anything back to a manufacturer (regardless of whether it is automotive parts, sleeping bags, packs, stereo equipment, cell phone, shoes, or climbing gear) double and triple check all PO#'s, return #'s, your #'s, ect.
AND follow up. I've never had a problem phoning a company to follow up with a warrantee’d product. They haven’t seen it till they get it back. Phone them when they should have had enough time to receive it and ask them (now that they have seen the product) for a time estimate.
Look every manufacturer of climbing gear has had stuff slip though QA at one point or another. I was always told when I started climbing to inspect all your gear upon purchase. After all it's your life on the line, regardless of whether or not someone else inspected it you should too. It's called being responsible for your own well being. All climbers should take some of their own time to inspect their gear be it brand spankin' new without a scratch, or your oldest piece on your rack. Take some responsibility for your own stuff.
I will not that although I do not have a link cam on my rack (YET) I frequently use those of my partners and have been very impressed with the performance of this piece of gear and the quality of workmanship and engineering that has gone into it. Have I fallen on it? Not yet. Do I trust it? Yes.
As with all gear, know the limitations of it. Know its advantages. Know its disadvantages.
I have extensively used various OP products from ice screws to biners to nuts/cams/belay devices, and more. Do they make good shit? Hell yes, as do other companies.
If you really want to know why I don’t have a link cam yet, it is because I have already spent my current budget on off-width gear and new climbing shoes… which I think is a good reason… more money will come later, as will a couple link cams.
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geezergecko
Aug 24, 2007, 1:00 AM
Post #80 of 89
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Registered: Mar 26, 2002
Posts: 729
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geezergecko wrote: michaellane wrote: geezergecko wrote: My first generation #2 Link Cam lost a trigger wire too. What is the return procedure for Canada? Geezer ... Same ... call us at 800.360.3990 and we'll give you a Return Authorization. --ML Thanks. Will do. Gotta get one of my favourite cams back on the rack.
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kevinhansen
Nov 13, 2007, 4:51 AM
Post #81 of 89
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Registered: Jan 23, 2007
Posts: 54
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So I saw this while looking for the cheepest way to get 8 (4 sets) of these Cams. Anyone know the differeance between the "Link Cam" and the "Tactical Link Cam"? I know the Tactical cam is Gray, while the other two are red and gold, what else?
Kevin
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the_climber
Nov 13, 2007, 4:07 PM
Post #82 of 89
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Registered: Oct 9, 2003
Posts: 6142
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Only difference is the colour.
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kevinhansen
Nov 15, 2007, 1:32 AM
Post #83 of 89
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Registered: Jan 23, 2007
Posts: 54
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If the gray cam is no different, then why change the color? Seems to me that changing up colors would just confuse people. Picture being pumped out trying to stab a piece in the crack, all the while they're trying to decide what color to grab. Wouldn't it be nice if all companies got their color schemes to jive with sizes!!? So a blue BD Cam could protect the same gap as a blue Metolius cam and a blue HB cam and a blue Wild Country too.
If the gray link cam is the same, what is it the same to? The Red or the Gold?
Does anyone own all 3?
Kevin
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climbingaggie03
Nov 15, 2007, 2:02 AM
Post #84 of 89
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Registered: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 1173
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From looking at their website, it looks like Omega pacific is making a tactical line for military use, and all the gear is in subdude colors. Which might make it more difficult to identify cams, but also might blend in with rock, reducing the chances of getting shot at. I dunno if it'll work, but it looks like fun.
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andypro
Nov 15, 2007, 3:31 AM
Post #85 of 89
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Registered: Aug 23, 2003
Posts: 1077
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Tha'ts a negative. If they're so close that they're going to be able to tell the difference between a semi-orange cam lobe and a grey one...you're hosed. and it's got nothing to do with the cam.
When I was int he Marines, we had all metolius gear. all nice bright colors that everyone knows and loves.
You'd actually be surprised how many colors look fine that you'd never expect to...reds, bright greens, yellows, oranges...obviously neon colors are a bad idea.
The only time I could see it making a difference is before you actually start climbing. Or perhaps if you're going to leave it in the rock for a later date. Then...colors not so good.
--Andy P
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basilisk
Nov 15, 2007, 7:50 AM
Post #86 of 89
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Registered: Oct 1, 2005
Posts: 636
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kevinhansen wrote: Wouldn't it be nice if all companies got their color schemes to jive with sizes!!?
I think you're a little confused, as this is exactly what companies seem to e working towards. You'll note that the red and orange Link Cams are the same sizes as the red and orange (yellowish) camelots. Simlilarly, DMM and Wild Country are the same colors (even the nuts are the same!). As far as popular companies it's really just Metolius and Aliens that are off doing their own thing at this point.
Also, i think you're confused about the red/orange/grey connection. there are only two sizes of Link Cams: red and orange. it just so happens that OP decided to make grey versions of their cams for military use. so there are still only two sizes: the red and the orange, except now you can get those two cams in a metallic grey as well. note that if you were to get both sizes in grey you would be unable to tell the difference based solely on color- you would have to look at the cam and discern what size it is on you own before placing it. so do you, as a recreation climber, have need for grey cams? no. so just stick with the red and orange to keep confusion down.
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kevinhansen
Nov 16, 2007, 12:00 AM
Post #87 of 89
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Registered: Jan 23, 2007
Posts: 54
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Nice! Thanks for the input all.
OK next question. Does anyone have a source where I can buy these in Bulk? I'm looking at 6-8 cams total. I know that some places sell them for $175 for the set of two. Know of anywhere else that can beat it?
Kevin
Also I'm looking for a partner in the ZION UT area.
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shoo
Nov 16, 2007, 1:04 AM
Post #88 of 89
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Registered: Dec 22, 2006
Posts: 1501
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6-8 doesn't usually qualify as "bulk," but the best thing is to contact the producer directly.
(This post was edited by shoo on Nov 16, 2007, 1:27 AM)
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