When you say "original Camco chain drive", do you mean the Tama/Camco chain drive pedal or one of the Camco 5000 pedal conversion done by Frank Ippolito’s Professional Percussion Center in NYC back in the 70's? I ask because Camco (the American company) never made a chain drive pedal. Those were conversions done after the fact.

Here's a little history on the subject: http://www.drummagazine.com/gear/post/history-of-the-camco-chain-drive-drum-pedal/

The Tama/Camco, I said original because I'd heard that Tama is reissueing them.

Here is mine....

Ok. Well....Tama already re-issued the pedal and they've already discontinued it again.

I've had many pedals over the years, including the original Camco 5000/Gretsch Floating Action strap drive pedals, and some of them with the chain conversions done too. Never owned a Tama/Camco, but did have the chance to use one for a night. I found it to be pretty much identical to those, the DW 5000 pedal, and Tama's own early Iron Cobra pedal. Light, smooth action.

With that said, I do prefer a Ludwig Speed King or a Ghost pedal over all those other pedals.

I own two of them, they are great pedals. they have the same feel as the gretsch Float action and first generation Dw 5000 pedal I own which is a great light fast action pedals.

I used a Speed King for many years (& still like it). I have, since, gotten a Camco and a DW5000. I find I now use the Camco most, the Speed King some, and the DW next to never. The chain-drive Camco has become my 'go-to' pedal. It is lightweight, simple, & smooth. MarkE

I love my Camco pedal, I use it exclusively on all my jazz gigs.

I use one of these all the time. I was using a Speed King almost exclusively, but I tend now towards the Camco. Still love the SK, but it doesn't clamp onto metal BD hoops with the inlay groove (obviously designed for wood hoops), whereas the Camco does.

Great pedal. Simple, light and responsive. I have two of the Tama Camco version on the go and another for parts. Enjoy!

Have tried to like the speed king. even bought one reconditioned off a member here trying to resolve sqeaking issues with my first sk. Keep going back to the Camco, and it's got to be at least 46 years old!