Chouinard Camalots 1st Generation
Released in 1987, these 1st generation Camalots were a major step forward in cam design. The double axles gave them greater range than a single axle design while keeping the camming angle consistent.
Notable features of the 1st generation units are:
- A three piece plastic cover and thumb bar arraignment over the U-shaped cable stem
- Knurled thumb bar and trigger
- “Ball shaped” swages mating the axle housing to the cable stem
The “ball shaped” swages were an interesting issue with these units. When they were weighted they tended to cause cracking in the axle housing, acting as something of a wedge, and compromising the strength of the piece. The ball design was changed in later units.
I have #1, #2 and #3 Camalots made by Chouinard Equipment. I still climb on them (in 2021). What’s their (theoretical) lifespan?
That’s a hard question to answer. It depends on their history and how much use or abuse they’ve had. Aluminum parts have a pretty long lifespan if maintained properly but nylon slings and plastic components can degrade quickly.
I’ve always operated on the premise that anything I’m the least bit unsure of isn’t worth a potential accident. I retire anything that doesn’t inspire confidence.