There is something fulfilling with being able to climb the top of a rock formation or wall. Falling at such a great height or even just a couple of feet from the base can be fatal or dangerous to the body. It is extremely important to take the necessary safety precautions when climbing to make sure the climber doesn’t get injured.
Today, there is safety gear that a climber can use to assist them in their climb. These don’t necessarily make the climb easier but they can save the climber’s life when they accidentally slip or fall down. One of the products that can help with the safety of a climber are belay devices.
Belay devices are used to control the rope and are held by the belayer for the safety of the climber. The device works as a friction brake and it helps the belayer do its job with minimal effort. If the climber falls, they would still fall but would stop because the rope would be stopped by this device.
In this review will talk about 3 different belay devices that also fall into different types. You will get to know their features and some of their pros and cons. All this information can help you choose the belay device that you want to use on your next climbing adventure.
The Black Diamond ATC-XP Belay Device is a manual belay device and is very affordable. This is a tube type, but it has additional toothed grooves to provide a high-friction mode for greater stopping power. The grooves help provide up to three times more stopping power than those that don’t have the additional groves.
The windows that were created through it make this belay device about 30% lighter. With the windows, the geometry is still the same and only the weight is affected. This light weight makes it easy to carry and pack in your trekking gear when the climb site can only be reached by hiking or trekking. It is also very easy to use, and the belayer won’t need a lot of hand strength in order to lock off the climber successfully.
The cable used is made of a durable material and is capable of holding its shape to make sure that it doesn’t get caught up between the ropes. The design of this belay device also make it a versatile one that you can use for various sizes of ropes, from 7.7 mm to 11 mm. It is available in either black or blue, and it comes at an affordable price. This makes it a good buy for a beginner climber or those who are on a tight budget.
Pros
· Simple and easy to use
· Lightweight and portable
· Affordable
· Has a high-friction mode
Cons
Not ideal for ropes with larger diameter
The Petzl GriGri 2 Belay Device is one of the most popular belay devices today. It is an upgrade from the classic belay GriGri, but it still provides the same smooth assisted braking by means of pinching on the rope until the rope finally stops sliding. This is done when the cam pivots.
The new design of the GriGri2 helps provide better control during descent by simply unlocking the cam. The patented handle design makes sure that the rope is not released abruptly but in a more gradual manner. It has a great braking power and it can also provide security while the climber rappels or is lowered down.
The cam and the friction plate are made from stainless steel to ensure that it is built to last. The compact design also makes it a lightweight belay device. It weighs only 185 grams, which is 20 grams lighter than its GriGri predecessor.
This belay device can be used with ropes ranging from 8.9 mm up to 11 mm, but is best for ropes that are 9.4 mm to 10.3 mm. There are also engraved diagrams on the belay device to provide instructions on how to use it. Although it is a great product, some may not be able to easily afford it due to its price. It is also available in 3 colors: grey, turquoise and yellow.
Pros
· Made from stainless steel
· Available in a variety of colors
· Compact and lightweight
· Has engraved diagrams on belay device
Cons
· Expensive price
· May lock up when you are too fast
The GM Climbing Rescue Figure 8 With Bent-ear Descender is a product that works well as a belay device or a descender. It is a figure-8 type with a 40kN brake strength rating. It designed to have all-round and smooth corners to make sure that the rope used won’t be easily damaged.
The 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum alloy material is durable and lightweight at only 282 grams. The additional bent-ear design is an upgrade to the standard 8-type of belay device, and it helps provide more safety and versatility to the product. The bent ears also make it possible to lock off even when hands free.
The large main slot is spacious enough to double or triple the single rope to add more friction so that you can adjust the speed of descent and make it slower. The design of this belay device makes it possible to use various sizes of rope. It can even hold aerial silk or textile rope for various activities.
Pros
· Can be used with rope of various thickness
· Heavy duty product
Cons
Large size
Conclusion
Belay devices are very important when it comes to the safety of a climber. Here are 3 reliable belay devices of different types; you can choose any of these and buy them according to the budget that you have. You may also choose depending on your needs. There are belay devices that can also be used for other purposes too.
