Gear : Reviews
Reviews for Bug
Average Rating : 3.33 out of 5
Item Details | Reviews
Bug
Review by: dave-grit, 2008-12-25
Not my favourite belay device.
As stated before, it is sometime difficult to get a bight of thicker rope (especially new rope) through it.
It takes in great. No complaints there!
Paying out a leader though..... I'd describe it as 'sometimes a bit sticky'!
Also tends to get a bit warm (read 'hot') on longer pitch absails (rappel for US readers)
All in all.... There is better out there....
As stated before, it is sometime difficult to get a bight of thicker rope (especially new rope) through it.
It takes in great. No complaints there!
Paying out a leader though..... I'd describe it as 'sometimes a bit sticky'!
Also tends to get a bit warm (read 'hot') on longer pitch absails (rappel for US readers)
All in all.... There is better out there....
DMM Bug
Review by: ladybug1542, 2007-01-14
Worked fine for belaying but it was very hard to get thicker ropes through. I also noticed rapid wear on the cable covering after a short time but it might have been due to an arid environment.
Review
Review by: forkliftdaddy, 2005-03-15
Pretty good device, but it can be very hard to shove larger ropes through.
Review
Review by: rockmaninoff, 2004-07-22
A good belay device. The biggest downside is that it's a little harder to push the bight of rope into the Bug than on other devices.
Review
Review by: jstp, 2004-06-06
Dunno about anyone else but i have had the bug for several seasons now. It sees a lof of intense use and has yet to develop any sharp edges. I have also used ATCs (and HB Sheriffs, and reversos, and gri-gris, and belay plates, eights etc.) and none of the tube style deviced have matched the Bug for durrability or performance.
The anodizing appears slightly thicker than on most tube devices, and is soft anodized, making wear nice and smooth with no chips or edges. If this device is cheaper than an ATC or other comparable device i have never noticed, all tubes seem about the same price. The bug also disipates heat better than at ATC thanks to subtle cooling fins and a larger mass in the body (but the grams don't add to much for you the speed oriented). This little bit of extra mass also gains anoter big advantage on rapel or catching big falls - the rope bearing radius is almost three times what an ATC has (i'm just eyballing both, so don't get to upset if i'm off) and that translates to much smoother rappels and belays. The increased radius also means that the Bug lasts longer than thin walled tube devices (like the ATC) which get pretty sharp edges after a while.
The only thing i do not like about my bug is that after years of heavy service they can be a harder to find than the ATC if you do not have a large shop nearby.
The anodizing appears slightly thicker than on most tube devices, and is soft anodized, making wear nice and smooth with no chips or edges. If this device is cheaper than an ATC or other comparable device i have never noticed, all tubes seem about the same price. The bug also disipates heat better than at ATC thanks to subtle cooling fins and a larger mass in the body (but the grams don't add to much for you the speed oriented). This little bit of extra mass also gains anoter big advantage on rapel or catching big falls - the rope bearing radius is almost three times what an ATC has (i'm just eyballing both, so don't get to upset if i'm off) and that translates to much smoother rappels and belays. The increased radius also means that the Bug lasts longer than thin walled tube devices (like the ATC) which get pretty sharp edges after a while.
The only thing i do not like about my bug is that after years of heavy service they can be a harder to find than the ATC if you do not have a large shop nearby.
