Beck Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 ...if you know what a plaquette is, read no further. I just bought a "GiGi", not a "GriGri", it's an old school plaquette device, ten bucks retail. it autoblock on belay, AND allows modulated lowering and release without changing the setup of the gigi. Also, a rock solid rope ascender in autoblock mode, and a good rapeller for a lot of ropes depending on how many biners you make the brake out of. Also allows easy use of ropes of different diameters simultaneously, and lets you selectively lower regardless... there's a few versions out there. the one i got is nice and simple. just ten bucks. retail. Buy one , you'll like it. Quote
Sphinx Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 If you're referring to the Kong Gigi, to my knowledge, it doesn't have an easy way to lower if your second falls on the auto-block mode. And you can't belay a leader with it. So it's a specialty device. Quote
snoboy Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Depends what you define as easy... Trango has a good method for the B-52 that should work for all plaquette style devices. Quote
snoboy Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Sphinx said: If you're referring to the Kong Gigi, to my knowledge, it doesn't have an easy way to lower if your second falls on the auto-block mode. And you can't belay a leader with it. So it's a specialty device. "If you're referring to the BD ATC, it doesn't have an easy way to autoblock a second. And you can't use it as an ascender. So it's a speciality device." My point is that most climbing gear is pretty specialized, and so you don't really have a point! Quote
Sphinx Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 snoboy said: Depends what you define as easy... Trango has a good method for the B-52 that should work for all plaquette style devices. Yeah, that'll work in a rescue situation but it's a major pain if your second falls and wants to be lowered to that bomber ledge three feet down, but has to wait fifteen minutes until you can rig some stupid shit to get some rope thru the device. Snoboy: with an ATC you can belay a second, a leader, rappel, lower. With a gigi you can't belay a leader, you can't rappel without scavanging biners from your rack, you can't lower (effectively). You can climb with only an ATC, while if you use a gigi you need another device to belay a leader. So my earlier assessment is correct: an ATC is more versatile than a gigi. I'd buy and use one only for alpine routes, esp. with a three person party. I wouldn't consider it as an all-around device, cause it isn't designed for that. As for the price, 10 bucks for the gigi, plus 20 for a device to belay a leader, and you're past the price of a reverso or b52 which does it all. Quote
snoboy Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Sphinx said:As for the price, 10 bucks for the gigi, plus 20 for a device to belay a leader, and you're past the price of a reverso or b52 which does it all. Werd, that's why I use a B-52. Quote
snoboy Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Beck said: plaquette... lowers off easy... So you say... but can you back it up? Quote
IceIceBaby Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 what the fricking difference dose it make...Just use what you like I have the GiGi, Reverso, and B-52 and I like the Magic APD the best for that purpose it is all boiling down to what u like and feel comfortable with Quote
Sphinx Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 IceIceBaby said: what the fricking difference dose it make...Just use what you like I have the GiGi, Reverso, and B-52 and I like the Magic APD the best for that purpose it is all boiling down to what u like and feel comfortable with The difference is that it gives us something to argue about. Duh. Quote
Beck Posted August 26, 2003 Author Posted August 26, 2003 ...just posting some valuable info, and a plaquette, if rigged correctly, lets you belay a leader, i don't think you guys really have thought that one out! and it lowers as smooth as you want.... no additional changeover necessary... the B-52 is a plaquette type device, but more shapely...and works on the same principle... Quote
Sphinx Posted August 26, 2003 Posted August 26, 2003 Beck said: ...just posting some valuable info, and a plaquette, if rigged correctly, lets you belay a leader, i don't think you guys really have thought that one out! and it lowers as smooth as you want.... no additional changeover necessary... the B-52 is a plaquette type device, but more shapely...and works on the same principle... This is all ancient news. If the B52 is better, why buy a plaquette? Quote
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