Wild Country Technical Friends Cam Set - 2006 BCS

A good/cheap way to start a trad rack. I got the 1,2,3 set. They run a size or two smaller than the Camelots, so keep that in mind. They also don't have the thumb loop so setting them sometimes feels less secure, but I have not dropped them yet.

Tech friends have a smaller range than C4 cams, but that means they walk less. I feel the 0.5 - 2.5 range friends usually provide very solid placements. I like the feel better than cams in that range. (I like the #2 and larger cams better than the larger friends, though.) The 2.5 friend is in between the #1 and #2 cams, so it's a nice hand-sized intermediate, if you have the cams, too. The tech friends have a higher kN rating than other cams of comparable size, which is probably a consideration mostly in the smallest sizes.

I have both of these sets of 3 cams and find them to be well made, reliable and easy to place. I also have a set of C4 Camelots and prefer them in the smaller sizes because of the greater range. However, the tech friends perform the best in the middle and larger sizes due to less side movement and resistance to walking. My ranking of these is a tie with Metolius ultralights in sizes 3 and above with the C4 Camelots having the edge in sizes 2 and below, but the differences are pretty small and subjective to both the user and the rock material.

Nice to place, strong to hold, cheap. Great choice when you are building a rack and does not wanna spend a fortune...

I'm not a technical climber, just hike in strange places.
I bought the smaller sizes. These are the only cams I own at this time, so I can't compare them to other makes. I've used them a few times to get up and down dry falls, they hold fast. Very simple to use.