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Totem vs. Fixe Aliens

Original Post
chrisIerickson Erickson · · Salt Lake, UT · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 55

Just thought I'd pass along a few thoughts.

I bought a full set of the Totem Aliens last fall, and just added to it the 2 smallest sizes from Fixe (on sale at Mountain Gear for the next couple of weeks for the same price as the Totem ones) to fill in the low end.

My thoughts?

The totem version seems to be better made IMO. The entire unit just seems more finished. The cam wires on the Totems seems more durable than the wire on the Fixes. The action is also smoother on the Totems.

So, if you are looking at aliens, look at the totems. They cost less, and feel great. They also ship from inside the US so they get there pretty fast.

Josh Kornish · · Whitefish, MT · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 800

Thanks for the review. Good to know.

I'm definitely interested in picking some up

T.C. · · Whittier, NC · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 0

Where is the best place to buy the Totems? I'll buy some right now.

TC

Guy H. · · Fort Collins CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 8,318
chrisIerickson wrote:The cam wires on the Totems seems more durable than the wire on the Fixes. The action is also smoother on the Totems.
You should compare the same size cams instead of comparing the small Fixe cams .vs the larger Totem cams. I would imagine that the action is smoother and the wires are fatter on larger sizes for any brand of cam.

I personally haven't handled any Totem cams, so I can't comment on them.
mattm · · TX · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,885
T.C. wrote:Where is the best place to buy the Totems? I'll buy some right now. TC
You order them direct from their online site. They only sell direct.

Totem Cam Site
Mark Mueller · · Surprise, AZ · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 185

i really wish there was a blue basic cam :/

mattm · · TX · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,885
Mark Mueller wrote:i really wish there was a blue basic cam :/
They're currently working on it according to their latest blog post. They're even doing INTERNAL springs which will make it even better. I'm holding out for that and a Blue/Green Hybrid.
Blue Totem Basic
chrisIerickson Erickson · · Salt Lake, UT · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 55

I bought mine directly from Totem. Fast shipping.

Good call on comparing the same size...unfortunately I don't have them in the same sizes.

One notable difference is the axle-ends. On the totem cams, they shaved off 1/4-1/8 of an inch on each side making it way better for shallow placements. This is the same on the Fixe green/yellow/red. I've attached a picture showing the blue Fixe and a Green Totem for reference...

Fixe and Totem alien SxS

I also have one of the standard (non-basic) Totem cams in a ~#1 camalot size. Pretty cool but I've actually started to not like it as much because it is SO flexible I have trouble placing it the way I want to.

FWIW, both of my lead falls in the past 8 months have been caught by my Totem basic cams -- once on the yellow and once on a green. The lobes are slightly dented on the ones that caught me (you can see if you look closely at the picture), but they are still in excellent shape. One of the falls was in a downward flaring crack and it held very nicely.

All of the standard "Aliens rock" stuff applies -- my friend was leading on my rack and couldnt' stop raving about how awesome the aliens were (we jut call em aliens even though they're Totem). They are narrow, place wonderfully etc.

Burghschred Aliberti · · Bend, OR · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 105

+1 for Totem Basics.

I agree with most comments above, the action is slightly smoother on the yellow/red compared to the gray which are similar in size. They both work great, the Totems look like they will stand up to more use. Some pics:

Yellow/red Totem Basic on the left (red lobes showing), gray FIXE alien on the right.

Grey FIXE on the left, red/yellow Totem Basic on the right.

Left to right: Gray FIXE Alien, Green Totem Basic, Blue Totem

Green basic, blue totem, yellow mastercam, gray fixe, yellow/red basic

Cams.

Gray FIXE alien, yellow Totem cam.

Eric and Lucie · · Boulder, CO · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 140
chrisIerickson wrote:One notable difference is the axle-ends. On the totem cams, they shaved off 1/4-1/8 of an inch on each side making it way better for shallow placements
This is one of their best design features, I think, compared to the old Aliens (and the Fixe Alines, which are 100% identical to the old ones).

I own several sets of the old Aliens, and so far two Totems. The Totems are an improvement over the old. Smoother, and as Chris pointed out, narrower. My only question is how durable the flexible trigger cables are going to be... too early to tell.

Totem's buying experience is top notch. Quick, easy on-line order from their Spanish site, and the cams get delivered within 3-5 days from Oregon. And they even reply to their e-mail if you have questions!

Cannot wait for the blue and black sizes!
Lewis Loader · · Calgary, AB · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 47

I LOVE my Basic Cams. Played with the Fixe aliens in Desert Rock Sports, they didn't feel nearly as smooth. Basic Cams look more like a finished product.

Forthright · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 110

I have all three "iterations" even thought they are different sizes (so slight different designs).

Black CCH
Blue Fixe
Yellow Totem

Totem is WAYYY smoother than either.

Out of all the sheath designs I think that the original metal interior with nylon outside has the potential for being the longest lasting. The thicker threads on the fixe sheath was def a good call for durability.

The decision to go with the wire rope instead of solid wires I think it great since I've found those metal wires are easily bent.

Superclimber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 1,310

Is the GRAY FIXE size pretty much covered between the RED and Yellow TOTEM BASIC sizes? It seems like Totem tried to tweak the yellow and red a bit in an effort to render the gray unnecessary.

Peter Hurtgen · · Dallas, TX · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 110

how much for the aliens?

Forthright · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 110
Peter Hurtgen wrote:how much for the aliens?
$80 for Fixe Aliens
$70 for Totem Basics
Kenny Thompson · · Cottage grove oregon · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 560

Hoping to get out and try my new Totem cams tomorrow. I recieved mine in like three days that's pretty good service

Lewis Loader · · Calgary, AB · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 47
Chris Miller wrote:Is the GRAY FIXE size pretty much covered between the RED and Yellow TOTEM BASIC sizes? It seems like Totem tried to tweak the yellow and red a bit in an effort to render the gray unnecessary.
Yes, To my knowledge that is why totems and aliens of the same colour don't entirely match up in size.
Superclimber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 1,310

I ended up getting the green, yellow, and red Basics to double up on small cam sizes. The 3 cams cover the sizes without any gap. Since I already have and I am happy with Master Cams, to me it made sense to get 3 Basics instead of 4 Aliens to cover the sizes.

I placed all three of them this weekend. No falls, but I bounced on them a bit. I'm happy with them because the sizes are a bit different from the Master Cams so they compliment each other nicely. Also, I felt confident climbing above the placements. Finally, I really like the giant thumb loops and slightly enlarged slings, it might help prevent walking.

Robbie Brown · · the road · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 465

Better than aliens!

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265
Robbie Brown wrote:Better than aliens!
And CCH's Aliens are better than Jardine's original camming devices. Just a little perspective for ya.
Robbie Brown · · the road · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 465

Hey mark, this is an alien vs totem forum topic. I love my cch aliens and my fixe aliens so don't get me wrong. I have all 3 types of alien and after a lot of use decided that Totem has created a cam that is far tougher and more confidence inspiring. C3's and mastercams are far more modern then aliens but not nearly as good in my opinion! Thats Just a little of my perspective for you.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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