auto belay devices for skinny cords?

[Jens]

What auto locking belay device should I buy to use on skinny cords? (It would most be for sport climbing, belaying other hangdoggers, and new routing)? The gri-gri certainly shouldn't be used on lets say a 9.1mm and I've heard that the brand new trango version (the brown one that I think is called the cinch) gives horrible feeds. Doesn't cassin or somebody make one? Anyone try it? Any other advice? I you were using a 9.1mm single cord what would you recommend? Are the European devices even available in the states?

[catbirdseat]

Silly me, but I must ask who would want to hang dog on a skinny rope? That's what fat ropes are for.

[RuMR]

I don't think he said hanging all over it, did he???

[dbb]

Jens, check out the trango "cinch". I think it's an auto lock that works w/ skinny ropes (one site said 9.4 to 11mm).

 

http://www.mgear.com/pages/product/product.asp/CMP/KNC-97950/cmpn/97950/store/MG/item/640518/N/0

[Bigtree]

I bought a Cinch early last year and have used it a couple of times since on different ropes > 9 mm. I found it to be light and straightforward for use; however, I find the lever too small for my liking which often results in abrupt and jerky releases.

 

The following link is for the Trango Cinch FAQ site updated to Feb '06: http://www.trango.com/pdfs/CinchFAQ.pdf.

The document suggests not using on anything < 8.9 mm.

 

I probably wouldn't buy it again without some design modifications.

 

As for using with small dia rope, Catbird said it best.

[Jens]

A guy told me that the Cinch gives absolutley horrible feeds.

[crackers]

I've been using a prototype / sample Ti Cinch for awhile and i love it. It's not a grigri so you have to learn a new method, but once i adjusted, i dumped the grigri into the bottom of my aid pile.