Totem Vs. Fixe Alien

http://totemcams.com/content/index.php?id=1&se=3&su=1307635863
fixehardware.com/aliens-cam…

What is the difference? Is this an open patent? Is there going to be a flood of Alien knock offs now?

1. IIRC Fixe is making them identical to CCH as part of the deal by which they acquired the name. Totem made some refinements. I've not personally seen either so can't comment beyond that.

2. CCH's patents expired a couple years ago.

3. Likely not, given how long it took for _anyone_ to pick up the design. Plus the big guys are pretty heavily invested in their own offerings and unlikely to abandon them for a knock-off.

4. Might want to try a search next time, as this has been discussed dozens of times.

I really hope more people start making Aliens, they are my favorite small cam and I am unwilling to pay $80.00 a unit from Fixe Faders. I might get some of the totems but they dont make the sizes I want/need.

Rob Warden wrote:I really hope more people start making Aliens, they are my favorite small cam and I am unwilling to pay $80.00 a unit from Fixe Faders. I might get some of the totems but they dont make the sizes I want/need.

I heard the Totem units are more around $50.

I climbed with some of the Totem versions, they look pretty, but they aren't exactly matched up in size to the originals.

The Totem Basics retail for $60 directly from Totem. If you have a link to them being offered for $50 I'd love to see it.

Josh Kornish wrote:The Totem Basics retail for $60 directly from Totem. If you have a link to them being offered for $50 I'd love to see it.

I can't really link you to a conversation I had with the cam owner, can I? $60 is closer to $50 than $80 anyway. Seems like the going rate for cams. Still, the discrepancy between Totem and CCH sizes was a bit disappointing.

checked out the links & they are listed as a slightly different size range between the 2 brands. anyone have CCH's in hand to compare to the Totems? is this difference just on paper or are they really different? something about the way the brands measure the range maybe?

also, on Fixe's link they list the black's numbers but don't offer it for sale. anyone with inside info that they are planning on making black aliens?

What ever you do don't look in the review section for this subject and comparisons.

Old Custer wrote: I heard the Totem units are more around $50. I climbed with some of the Totem versions, they look pretty, but they aren't exactly matched up in size to the originals.

I don't have a ruler on me, but I'm looking at their site right now: are they roughly trying to maintain the Aliens sizes, like green = tips, yellow = perfect fingers, red equals big fingers?

Ray Pinpillage wrote:What ever you do don't look in the review section for this subject and comparisons.

+37

camhead wrote: I don't have a ruler on me, but I'm looking at their site right now: are they roughly trying to maintain the Aliens sizes, like green = tips, yellow = perfect fingers, red equals big fingers?

They're pretty close, not the same though. It's all theoretical to me anyway since Aliens are hardly the choice for small cams like in the days of yore.

Old Custer wrote: They're pretty close, not the same though. It's all theoretical to me anyway since Aliens are hardly the choice for small cams like in the days of yore.

Curious as to what is far superior now?

mattm wrote: Curious as to what is far superior now?

That's not what I was saying. I am saying there are currently many equally viable small cam options. If you personally need Aliens, get 'em, I'm sure it will be fine.

JulianM wrote: +37

??? Link please? Who has written a gear review comparing the Totem Basics to the Fixe Aliens?

GO

GabeO wrote: ??? Link please? Who has written a gear review comparing the Totem Basics to the Fixe Aliens? GO

There's a lot of information comparing the two cams in the gear review section. Just do a little looking and reading is all.

GabeO wrote: ??? Link please? Who has written a gear review comparing the Totem Basics to the Fixe Aliens? GO

my review