Ever try to hit that quick clip you need while on a climb. you know where you are layed out flat on the rock and reaching with every thing you got...ever have your belay device lock-up and having too waite for it too release again. I know i have and i hated the Gri-Gri because of it. i worked in an indoor climbing gym for about 6 years and all of our TOP ROPES where attached a Gri-Gri or as i call them stupid belays. This was great for first time climbers because once 5 pounds of presure is placed on the device it locks up automaticly. then i tried it on a LEAD CLIMB. in the middle of a dino my rope locked up throwing me back down and into the wall. granted i should have told my belayer that i was going a little louder but i've never had something toss me around like a stail cookie before. heres the run down on the device.
HOW IT WORKS
simply put the rope is slung around a piviting piece. when pressure is put onto the rope it grips it with its "teeth" on the other side leading out of the device. a petzel trade mark on their assenders.
EASE OF USE
the only problem i've seen people have with the device was they didn't look at the picture on it. it shows a picture for rope in and a climber for rope out. if the climber should fall the device locks up. to let the climber down just pull the lever up and over and then down. simple as pie aye?
DURABLITY
i don't like using this in my reviews only because any climbing device that takes a fall or just gets old should be replaced for safety reasons.
ROPE WEAR
me personal i don't like the idea of something called "TEETH" biting into my rope, but ropes at the gym usually get replaced every 7 months with constant use and first sign of wear
RECOMMENDED FOR
i know its listed below but what i'd recommend it for isn't included in it. USE IT FOR TOP ROPES. the main problem i had with the device was the fact that either the device had too be kept open so rope would feed out or run the risk of the rope locking up if i pulled too hard. if you are climbing with a beginner then please us it for safety reasons.
OVERALL
as a beginning piece of equipment its not a bad investment which at $50+ i consider it an investment. but as you become more experenced and get out of top rope climbing you might be better to switch to an ATC or something of the like.
Allows belaying and lowering of a climbereven where the latter is heavier than the belayer. A handle allows easy control of the device and smooth runn...More at eBay
The Petzl Gri Gri is for belaying of a leader or second, and for short abseils on single rope. If a fall occurs, the pivoting cam inside the device fa...More at Oregon Mountain Community
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
Description of Petzl GRIGRISelf-braking Belay DeviceDevice for belaying a leader or a second and for single rope descents.Features:Self-braking system...More at Amazon Marketplace
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