|
vulcan
Feb 12, 2007, 1:04 AM
Post #1 of 9
(985 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 7, 2005
Posts: 20
|
They use a four bar linkage which is supposed to make them more efficient. Have any of you e-climbers used em?
|
|
|
|
|
dr_feelgood
Feb 12, 2007, 1:30 AM
Post #2 of 9
(970 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 6, 2004
Posts: 26060
|
they sure do look cool...
|
|
|
|
|
billcoe_
Feb 12, 2007, 8:04 PM
Post #3 of 9
(890 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 30, 2002
Posts: 4694
|
dr_feelgood wrote: they sure do look cool...
Yes, they do, but the lesson I learned long ago is to let other people work the bugs out of Black Diamond equipment.
|
|
|
|
|
holdplease2
Feb 12, 2007, 8:19 PM
Post #4 of 9
(882 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 18, 2002
Posts: 1733
|
Hey Guys!
The good news is that the RC.Com Booty Crew has a set of these in the mail for review. I'm sure John, who examined them at the OR show, will be able to give a little preview, though!
We'd like to be able to do a wall with them, rather than just mess around jugging/cleaning/hauling.
But if you guys want something faster, maybe we could do a short-term review on the basic functionality with a long term update after an "actual wall", as it isn't wall season for us lite-types. If we wait for a wall, it may be after the end of March or even mid-June before the review is complete.
They do sound pretty appealing, though, especailly for folks who may have to deal with icy or filthy ropes, etc. We're excited to give them a try, not just for jugging, but also as part of a hauling rig, etc.
Wish they were here already!
-Kate.
|
|
|
|
|
roy_hinkley_jr
Feb 12, 2007, 8:31 PM
Post #5 of 9
(867 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Sep 8, 2005
Posts: 652
|
Just a knock-off of the old Kong ascenders. The linkage does work well on muddy/icy ropes.
|
|
|
|
|
vegastradguy
Feb 13, 2007, 2:58 AM
Post #6 of 9
(821 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 28, 2002
Posts: 5919
|
roy_hinkley_jr wrote: Just a knock-off of the old Kong ascenders. The linkage does work well on muddy/icy ropes.
they are pretty snazzy and use a very intriguing system to work. i havent seen the old kongs, so i cant comment.
anyway, the linkage, combined with teeth that stick straight out (rather than pointed down like on the petzl), functions like a really powerful rope clamp. BD tells me that despite the extra holding power, these things are actually safer to fall onto than a petzl and are much less likely to shred your rope in the event of a fall.
we'll see- i'm working on getting them to the crew poste haste- i believe they'll be in stores in time for the Spring/Summer big wall season!
|
|
|
|
|
shoo
May 4, 2007, 8:35 PM
Post #7 of 9
(686 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 22, 2006
Posts: 1501
|
I have two possible concerns with these, but can't find any personal test information to confirm it.
1) Does it slide up a rope as smoothly as the Petzl ones do?
2) Does it catch the rope as easily as the Petzl ascenders? What about slow pulls vs sudden pulls?
|
|
|
|
|
waterman
May 5, 2007, 3:42 AM
Post #8 of 9
(603 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 28, 2004
Posts: 57
|
I'm just stoked that they don't need the sharp teeth to get good bite on a rope. Not sure I'll ever use them but I may get a set for the girly friend.
Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
healyje
May 5, 2007, 6:10 AM
Post #9 of 9
(578 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 4204
|
I have a pair and so far I think they're mainly just different than the Petzl's. Maybe they have a performance edge on icy or muddy ropes, but otherwise it's kind of tweedle dee / tweedle dum. Bottom line, jugging is grueling and it's not like any ascender is going to make it fun, but of course they are a new piece of gear and that always entitles it to at least some cool factor for awhile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
