Black Diamond Mini Pearabener - Did They Change the Design?

This is my first post to the forum so I would like to say hi.
I'm writing because I have question regarding the BD Mini Pearabener.
After reading a few reviews I ordered one but it looks different than the ones I saw online. Mine looks like this:
blackdiamondequipment.com/e…

But the ones I read about are silver and look like this:
outdoorgearlab.com/Locking-…

Is it just the photo, or Black Diamond changed the design? The old one looks round on the top and bottom, mine has indentation (or flatness) side of the top and bottom part.
If they did change the design (and it's not the photo) does it alter the performance when using Munter hitch or BD ATC?

Does maybe somebody has the old and the new one and could confirm?

Thank you.

The one you see online is the current version, which was re-designed in the past year and is now produced in the USA. The previous version (the one on outdoor gear lab) is an older model that was produced in China but is no longer made. As you have noticed there are some differences. This is the case for a number of BD products, which were changed slightly (and are all different colors) when their production switch back to the US about a year ago.

I've got both, didn't notice a performance difference, overall there very similar.

Hi Mike: The newer design is for weight savings, but the inside profile is the largely the same, so it should peform the same with an ATC. Their might be a slight difference with a munter hitch, but I don't think you would notice it, since the friction in a munter hitch is caused by the rope against itself, not the device.

Don't forget that a mini pearbiner is not an ideal device to use with a Munter hitch to begin with, unless the rope is quite skinny.

[Edit]--the shape of the 'biner might make the 'biner itself wear faster if you used it constantly with a Munter hitch, but it would take a lot of Munter use before this would ever occur [/Edit]

Thanks guys. It's a good news that they make it in the US, it's a pity it does not work as well as it did with Munter hitch because that was supposed to be it's primary use (with 9mm rope). Any other BD recommendation for Munter?

I passed on BD ROCLOCK beacause it's so large. I have quite a few BD Nitrons (about 3 years old not used), but according to one review BD does not recommend it for Munter Hitch (any idea why, because I could not find any information of BD webpage? does any of you guys use Munter with Nitron?)

DMM Sentinels, 54 grams

Sorry, not BD though.

John Wilder wrote:If you want to use the Munter hitch, you should find a round stock carabiner ... I learned that lesson the hard way with an Attache 3d a few years back.

Could you elaborate? What are the dangers of using I beam profile. I do understand that current BD Pearabeaner has in fact an I-beam profile, or is it something in between?

John Wilder wrote:If you want to use the Munter hitch, you should find a round stock carabiner (cold-forged) like the Petzl Attache (not the Attache 3d) or the Rock Lock.

Careful, the attache is no longer a round stock biner (it's the same as the old 3D). backcountry.com/petzl-attac…

John Wilder wrote:If you want a small, round-stock carabiner made in the USA, the Metolius Element is my top choice.

Seconding this, love these little guys. Haven't has a problem using a munter on one with my 9.7mm rope either. (granted not something I do often, mostly to lower myself to a better belay spot for less experienced followers)

The screw gate is also a finer thread, and has a "tighter" fit so it's less likely to accidentally unlock (which I think the petzl style are prone to. For recent discussion, see: mountainproject.com/v/petzl…)

MikeMills wrote: Could you elaborate? What are the dangers of using I beam profile. I do understand that current BD Pearabeaner has in fact an I-beam profile, or is it something in between?

I think it's just that the munter wont run as smoothly over an i-beam profile as a round stock biner.

MikeMills wrote:Thanks guys. It's a good news that they make it in the US, it's a pity it does not work as well as it did with Munter hitch because that was supposed to be it's primary use (with 9mm rope). Any other BD recommendation for Munter? I passed on BD ROCLOCK beacause it's so large. I have quite a few BD Nitrons (about 3 years old not used), but according to one review BD does not recommend it for Munter Hitch (any idea why, because I could not find any information of BD webpage? does any of you guys use Munter with Nitron?)

If you're going to consistently use a Munter then I'd just get the RockLock. They aren't that much bigger then the mini pearabiner, and weighs 16 grams more.

Thank you for your input guys. So the winner is metolius element. How does it compare to DMM Sentinel that was mentioned above, cause looking at it its half round half I-beam, unless the photo is misleading.

MikeMills wrote:Thank you for your input guys. So the winner is metolius element. How does it compare to DMM Sentinel that was mentioned above, cause looking at it its half round half I-beam, unless the photo is misleading.

I just got one a couple weeks ago.

element round stock

I bought it to use with an ATC in guide mode, but I ended up using it through the eye of the ATC and using full-size HMS 'biner for the rope instead.

Someone mentioned the threads are finer...this is true, and it takes quite a few more turns to lock it...I found that disconcerting at first, but got used to it pretty quick.

It's got a fairly mild curvature for use with a munter hitch, but it's quite a bit smaller. For ~$9 on sale you can find out for yourself.

the DMM Rhino and Wild Country Ascent also have nice round top bars FWIW

Max Forbes wrote:The one you see online is the current version, which was re-designed in the past year and is now produced in the USA. The previous version (the one on outdoor gear lab) is an older model that was produced in China but is no longer made. As you have noticed there are some differences. This is the case for a number of BD products, which were changed slightly (and are all different colors) when their production switch back to the US about a year ago. I've got both, didn't notice a performance difference, overall there very similar.

Holding a new one and old one next to each other. Design is the same, only difference color. Differences in the picture are all from angle. My asia one would have been from towards the end of Asian assembly (the forging of the body has always taken place in Salt Lake).

Thanks for the info JK. Good to know.

To be honest, I am a little (tiny bit) disappointed. When I compare my old Nitrons (made in China) to pearabener (USA) the former seems to have smoother operation. The locking screw seems to operate smoother, the play on the locking gate hinge is less pronounced. Both are up to high BD standards, but I thought the ones made in USA will be top notch surpassing my old made in China ones. Other than that, pearabener - very happy with it, doing its job.

The round stock Attaches are still being made. Definitely my preferred round stock HMS biner.

Trevor. wrote:The round stock Attaches are still being made. Definitely my preferred round stock HMS biner.

Are they?

petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Carab…

I think you can still buy old stock, but they don't seem to be produced any more.

Is there an "Idiot's Guide to 'Biner Selection" anywhere?

Meaning...Picture of Biner profile and call out of its intended or best practice use?

I won't ever remember all of the fancy names Petzl Attache, BD Briefcase, DMM CarryOn....but I'll certainly be able to match up a profile/shape with its purpose.

Answered my own question:

rei.com/learn/expert-advice…

Tim:

Check this website out too - weighmyrack.com

Brian L. wrote: Are they? petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Carab… I think you can still buy old stock, but they don't seem to be produced any more.

backcountry.com/petzl-hera-…

Yep they're still making them. Seemingly only in the Blue HERA version now.

Tim Lau wrote:Is there an "Idiot's Guide to 'Biner Selection" anywhere? Meaning...Picture of Biner profile and call out of its intended or best practice use? I won't ever remember all of the fancy names Petzl Attache, BD Briefcase, DMM CarryOn....but I'll certainly be able to match up a profile/shape with its purpose. Answered my own question: rei.com/learn/expert-advice…

Outdoorgearlab.com also has great buying guides.

Trevor. wrote: backcountry.com/petzl-hera-… Yep they're still making them. Seemingly only in the Blue HERA version now.

Better stock up before the new year:

omniprogear.com/Petzl-carab…

Trevor. wrote: backcountry.com/petzl-hera-… Yep they're still making them. Seemingly only in the Blue HERA version now.

I know you can still find them for sale, but I don't think they still make them - considering they don't list the product on their web site any more. This is just inventory that is still available. Once it's gone, it's gone