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GriGri 2 vs. Trango Cinch

Original Post
jaypg · · New England · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 10

Just asking for opinions on which to purchase?

Situation is this: My climbing gym requires use of such devices on the lead wall and I do not want to continue renting one from them. Since I do not know the actual release date (or availability issues caused by mass ordering) of the GG2 should I go with the Cinch, today. The spec's show their weights to be almost identical - which I do care about.

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485

No one is really going to be able to answer this as the grigri2 isn't out yet. The Cinch is fantastic though and I can't see switching for lead belay when the 2 comes out.

Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30
John Wilder wrote:In the grand scheme of things, the Cinch is going to be better at feeding slack, and the grigri (or grigri2) is going to be better at lowering. The theory is that the new grigri2 will be better than the grigri at feeding slack (and those that i know who are using it agree), but physics still dictates the cinch is faster and easier. that said, if the grigri2 is a significant improvement over the old grigri at feeding slack... time will tell. i know there are some grigri2s out there- petzl reps and magazines have them for review. they arrive at the end of next month into the first shops. depends on whether you can wait about two months. i dont know how much mass purchasing of a $100 device is going to happen- most folks who own and use a grigri are pretty happy with it. and most who own a cinch are happy with theirs...as fun as the grigri2 might be, thats alotta dough to lay out for a device that isnt really needed.
This sums it up.
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Has anyone considered the Click Up? It's much cheaper and a nice easy tool to use. Not as fool proof as the grigri, but still locks off the climber with tension or a fall. I love using mine.

daniel c · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 40

I'm sticking with my Cinch. Still lighter and range of rope diameters is effectively the same for my purposes (ie I'm never going to use a rope thinner than 9.7 or fatter than 10.5). Also, the Cinch is a time tested design using time tested materials. I'll wait for others to guinea pig the Grigri2 before I shell out the money for a new belay assist device.

CINCH
Weight: 182 grams / 6.42 oz
Recommended Rope Diameter: 9.4 - 11mm

GRIGRI2
Weight: 185 grams / 6.53 oz
Recommended Rope Diameter: 8.9 to 11mm

Ed Wright · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2006 · Points: 285

Big grigri fan here...I'll be buying a grigri2 as soon as they are available--whatever the cost.

RoadTripRyan · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 40

I'm also a big fan of the GriGri 1.0., but doubt I will buy version 2. My current GriGri works well for me.

Re: Cinch. I hate them. One of my partners used to use one occasionally, and the lowering sucks. She uses my grigri now instead. I am unsure if it is her use of the cinch, or the device in general, but it seems be have a very small sweet spot for lowering. I was dropped quickly a few feet one to many times, when I finally forbade it's use if I was on the other end of the rope...

-Ryan-

Mike Pharris · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 125

lowering with the cinch was tricky for me until i 'got the hang of it' (a matter of one gym session really) now it's as smooth as with an ATC or a GriGri. Feeding slack with the Cinch - to me - is smoother than with a Gri Gri, but i'm sure that if i spent a bit more time with the Gri Gri that i'd have that dialed as well.

I have a cinch, so i prefer it over the Gri Gri.

Gold Plated Rocket Pony · · Colorado · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 96
John Wilder wrote:In the grand scheme of things, the Cinch is going to be better at feeding slack, and the grigri (or grigri2) is going to be better at lowering.
+1
Robert Buswold · · Northglenn, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 80

I've got a question - I understand that you say the gym requires use of the grigri or similar device, and that's reasonable because it adds a little bit of security in case someone with less experience is belaying the climber - but why do experienced climbers actually use this type of device? They seem much less versatile than a device that costs 1/4 of their price... ie. ATC Guide or even the plain old ATC.

JPVallone · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2004 · Points: 195

No Contest, The Grigri 2 is slick, unless you have used one yet, hold your critiques and see for yourself after you play with one.

Worth every penny in comparison to whats out there now. I thought it excelled in every aspect compared to the competition. If your sold on the way your device works now and it gets the job done, great, but your gear does wear out, so when it's time check it out.

Bill C. · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 110

I have only fiddled with the GriGri 2, but I have used the GriGri 1 and cinch many times and this is how I think they compare:

GriGri:

Pros:
1. It is generally easier to lower
2. You can belay without ever having to touch or manipulate the device or any of its components.
3. It seems to be more popular, and therefor more people seem to be comfortable or familiar with its use. (Usage can however often vary)

Cons:
1. Grigri 1 is heavier than the cinch. Grigri 2 is about the same. Honestly doesnt make a difference to me at all.
2. learning to feed slack can be a challenge, and even after years of use it will never feed as smoothly as a cinch can. Any efforts to try and make it feed easier often tend to create extremely poor technique.
3. Perhaps more room for error in set up. (Both plates must be clipped to conceal the rope within the device. Failing to do so can cause device to open)
4. More expensive

Cinch:

Pros:
1. Feeds rope easier
2. Only one spot to clip (this isnt a big deal at all, but the people at trango seemed to think it was)
3. Cheaper
4. Accepts wider range of rope sizes. (GriGri 2 has accounted for this however. Technically you could always use smaller diameter ropes with the GriGri 1, however without actively braking the rope the cam might not activate)
5. Lighter than Grgri 1

Cons:
1. Impossible to feed slack without physically touching the device or manipulating its components
2. Can take a lot of time to learn to efficiently lower a climber, and even after several years experience can still cause issues

Comparable Features:
Both will automatically stop a fall
Both can be used to belay seconds (if used properly)
Both with not function if threaded backwards
Both can lead to poor belay technique if the belayer is taught or primarily uses that device.

Whichever feature is more important to you, then buy that device!

Noah Haber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 78
Robert Buswold wrote:I've got a question - I understand that you say the gym requires use of the grigri or similar device, and that's reasonable because it adds a little bit of security in case someone with less experience is belaying the climber - but why do experienced climbers actually use this type of device? They seem much less versatile than a device that costs 1/4 of their price... ie. ATC Guide or even the plain old ATC.
You have this exactly backwards.

Inexperienced climbers, in general, should typically NOT be using assisted locking belay devices. The temptation to replace competence with convenience has resulted in a number of dropped climbers.

Experience climbers will often use assisted locking devices because it is often very convenient to have a devices which, once locked, stays that way until needed. This makes all kinds of things easier, especially for sport climbers.
Stonyman Killough · · Alabama · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 5,785

Gri-Gri

John P. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 0

Don't know about the GriGri2 but compared to the regular GriGri the Cinch is a far better device, It's more intuitive and and feeds slack much better. If you take some time to learn proper technique it is also easier to lower with the GriGri.

Windy Pete · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 0

There alot of climbers that love the cinch and I used to be one of them. I have recently experienced and heard of many instances of problems using the cinch that have since convinced me to THROW MINE AWAY. In addition to my droping my partner two bolts due to my inattention I have a friend who decked due to his belay partner keeping the cinch cam open resulting in a broken back and neck. While not going into the details I believe the Cinch to be dangerous (yes I understand they were operator errors, but I believe the Cinch is more apt to lead belayers to making errors). I've also corresponded with an editor from Rock and Ice Mag. and he has heard of a rope being cut by a Cinch and witnessed a Cinch break during lowering. P.s. That same editor has been using the GriGri 2 for about two months now and loves it. He said that they'll be available to the general public in March.

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485
Peter London wrote:I have recently experienced and heard of many instances of problems using the cinch that have since convinced me to THROW MINE AWAY.
So because you don't know how to use a device that's critical to your partner's life, then you drop them and now you blame the device? There is a short video on the internet that clearly explains how a Cinch safely operates. You should not need to pinch the cam to feed out rope and your brake hand is always on.

You have to be a fool to think that what you just posted influences anyone's opinion other than the one that you're an idiot.
proto G · · Falmouth (MA) · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 213

Grigri2!
I've been testing it for a month and it's much better than both Grigri1 and Cinch.

Sam Stephens · · PORTLAND, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 1,090
Peter London wrote:There alot of climbers that love the cinch and I used to be one of them. I have recently experienced and heard of many instances of problems using the cinch that have since convinced me to THROW MINE AWAY. In addition to my droping my partner two bolts due to my inattention I have a friend who decked due to his belay partner keeping the cinch cam open resulting in a broken back and neck. While not going into the details I believe the Cinch to be dangerous (yes I understand they were operator errors, but I believe the Cinch is more apt to lead belayers to making errors). I've also corresponded with an editor from Rock and Ice Mag. and he has heard of a rope being cut by a Cinch and witnessed a Cinch break during lowering. P.s. That same editor has been using the GriGri 2 for about two months now and loves it. He said that they'll be available to the general public in March.
I'm speechless... You are beyond dumb. You openly admit to making an operator error with your device and that others have too, yet you still blame the device for your inattention and ineptitude?

Basically you're going on hearsay and a lack of belaying skill for your disdain towards the Cinch?
mikejohnson1 Johnson · · Essex Junction, VT · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 345

Dude, If your gym lets you, you should get the Mammut Smart. I like it better than the gri gri or the cinch, and it is about the cost of an ATC.

Better option. Quit going to the gym, and go outside. Outside you can climb with whatever you want. I guess then you should still get the Mammut...

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485
proto wrote:Grigri2! I've been testing it for a month and it's much better than both Grigri1 and Cinch.
Better is a little nebulous. Any specifics? Would love to hear the differences.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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