I'm just interested in getting a general idea of what people's thoughts are with racking those good ol' hexes. I am thinking about getting more next season...especially the metolius curved hexes.
I have a set of the WC Rocentrics and absolutely love them. I'm quite fond of hexes in general but of the several I've climbed on (WC, BD, some old DMM ones, and some Metolius ones I think) those are by far the greatest. I only take the big ones if I know I'll need them but the small to medium ones are priceless.
Of course! Hexes are for ballers..........what do you think they used before cams were invented?
No seriously though. They're light and have less moving parts.....less to break (not that I've broken a cam, but its not out of the realm of possibility). Although it does kinda depend on what you're climbing.
If you're climbing some stupid hard 5.million big trads and placing some pro quick is important, then use cams.
If you're climbing in alpine environments where there is water and such, and placing ultra quick is not important, and weight IS important......then use hexes.
For somewhere in between, use some of both.
And I second the other dude who said he likes the rockcentrics.......they are pretty pimp status! But I have some BD's and they are nice too cuz they have the wire instead of the spectra like the rockcentrics (which is like the metolius ones i guess).
Anyways, to make a long story short.....yes buy some hexes.....and buy the rockcentrics from Wildcountry.
I'm just interested in getting a general idea of what people's thoughts are with racking those good ol' hexes. I am thinking about getting more next season...especially the metolius curved hexes.
I'm just interested in getting a general idea of what people's thoughts are with racking those good ol' hexes. I am thinking about getting more next season...especially the metolius curved hexes.
Almost never. They don't work well *as well* for my primary climbing medium (Sierra granite). They clonk like cow bells when you walk around. They are less versitile than cams.
I do *occasionally* take one or two into the alpine, but only occasionally. I never use them for casual cragging.
I really like the Rockcentrics better then the straight sides of the BDs as far as the shape of the hex itself.
Once the slings on my rockcentrics need replacing I plan on going with something a little stiffer like tech cord.
The Metolius curve hexes do look like an interesting design. I would consider them myself if I needed some more hexes. They now also make Alpine Curved Hexes (a wired curved hex with a sling).
I primarily climb easy and moderate multipitch routes at areas like Seneca. I typically carry BH hexes 4 - 11. They're great to have at anchors or to place from a solid stance. There are times when a well-placed hex inspires a lot more confidence than a cam.
I like the larger BD sizes. They seem to love the rock and lock into a placement like magic. When placed correctly, they are super bomber and make me feel safe as a baby in its mother's arms.
YES!!!! I only carry the bigger hexes, usually my WC rockcentric #7-9, but I'm thinking I'll get the BD #11 since it is one size bigger than my WC #9. It will also be better for a rappel device since its on cable instead of dyneema I love it when I spot a perfect hex placement and place it as fast as a cam.
they arn't my favorite "I dont actually own any" but I have climbed on them before and found them prety handy in their larger sizes. from what I've seen, I would just use bigger nuts when you could use the smaller hexes. so if I was to get them, I'd only get the biggest ones.
I use them pretty much wherever you might think of doubling up on cams from Camalot #1 and up, or on moderate terrain with larger cracks. I only use the five upper sizes.
Gotta admit that I have placed them maybe 1-2 times since I bought cams. Its good to have then though, just incase. Biggest thing is its alot of pro for the price of a cam.
Erick, you're going to buy more hexes? As in, you're going to start carrying doubles!? We'll be able to hear you from a mile away!
My general practice is to own complete sets of pro - i.e. a full set of nuts of the same make/model, a full set of cams of the same make/model, etc. It makes racking easier, IMO, and easier for others to use my rack. If I need doubles in a certain size, then I cherry pick in order to supplement the sets. So if you don't have a full set of hexes yet, I'd suggest that you first fill in the blanks. After you've got a "full run", you should start doubling on the sizes you place the most.
I have the Metolius curves hexes, but I find I only place the 5, 6 and 7. These are like giant nuts. Above that, I'm using cams.
i own a couple, all metolius, and love them for a VERY specific purpose: ALPINE CLIMBING
never on any cragging (including mutlipitch "cragging")
in general cams a a lot better, but there are some things that make hexes better in the ALPINE environment: 1) more (not FULLY) "trustworthy" placements in wet, icy, snowy chossy conditions 2) hellavu lot lighter than the corresponding cam 3) hellavu lot cheaper than the corresponding cam, so i'm less sad when having to bail off a gear anchor
they tend to sit around in my gear closet (clipped in fact to my small and light rack of pins) waiting for the next time i venture into the alpine.
So, overall, what would you people prefer, buying 1 cam or buying 5 hexes?
I bought one of the smaller sizes to try (CAMP #6, old style with straight sides) and have almost never used it, but I can see the advantages of having hexes in the larger sizes.
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I only carry the bigger hexes, usually my WC rockcentric #7-9, but I'm thinking I'll get the BD #11 since it is one size bigger than my WC #9. It will also be better for a rappel device since its on cable instead of dyneema 
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