Hi Everyone,

I just got the Kong GiGi as an addition to my arsenal of gear, primarily to replace my ATC Guide.

I just wanted to get people's two cents on what they think about the GiGi: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Thanks

storrick.cnc.net/VerticalDevicesPage/Belay/StichtBelayPages/>>>

Money quote: "The Gi-gi really isn't intended for sport climbers and for everyday use, but I've run across several guides who use it ice climbing. Actually, the Gi-gi wasn't ever meant to be used as a standard 'Sticht' plate. "

Shorter version: not a good replacement for your ATC Guide.

Did you read the instructions? You can't belay a leader with that thing. Making it pretty pointless in my eyes.

yo dave,

i use the gigi quite a bit...mostly to belay two seconds...it feeds rope much more smoothly than an ATC guide when used in this way.

it won't, however, belay a leader...well, i should say, the owner's manual says it won't...but i'm sure you could in a pinch.

i learned about it on an AMGA rock instructor course, as it's a popular tool among some guides...

hope you dig it...rob c

Dave,

The GiGi is terrific for belaying off the anchor. It feeds much, much more easily through than any other plaquette device that I have ever used.

That said, I don't use it to replace the ATC guide or Reverso, but rather as an additional piece of equipment (for multipitch climbing). One might ask why bother; the answer is that the GiGi is so good for belaying off the anchor that I am willing to deal with the extra piece of gear on my rack. When carrying the GiGi I use my ATC guide or Reverso device for belaying the leader and rappelling.

I should have specified, I would not be belaying a leader with it, I would be using it as the leader for belaying one or two seconds from above. The second (and third) would have belay/rappel devices like an ATC guide to belay me (the leader) and to rappel with at the end.

Good for belaying second(s) from the anchor. Not bad for rappel. Better than most plaquettes in pulley systems thanks to the low profile and the holes at the two ends both being large enough to clip a large locker through them. Very light, though nowadays it has less of an advantage on the competition than it had a few years back. Mine developed sharp edges rather quickly and I didn't feel compelled to replace it. (My go-to device is currently a Reverso 4.)

Careful when belaying one second only on a thin rope. The brake locker may rotate under load and cause the GiGi to lose the "autolocking" capability unless you clip it also through the other locker. (The one that connects the GiGi to the anchor).

I got one many years ago before guide like devices were out. I dont use it anymore cause I dont feel like carrying two devices when doing parties of three but sure wish I has it when using some partners fatter stiffer rope. They can really suck through guides and reversos.

If you dont mind the extra weight the gigi is king for belaying two followers.

Gigis aren't heavy, they outperform ATC Guides and Reversos, and they are a handy backup device if you gumby your ATC-style device a few hundred feet up.

They CAN be used to lead belay, it's just a pain and takes practice. I think they're no more annoying than SAFE belaying with a Gri-Gri (a very rare thing), which IS annoying, but not enough to outweigh the benefits.

Dave, welcome to the Gigi fan club. Now google "lelu" and "gigi" and see why you may get strange looks for telling everyone how much your Gigi rocks the house. Told my buddy I bought him one and after he blinked a few times, he said he got one for his girlfriend for her birthday. His non-climbing girlfriend. Puzzlement and hilarity ensued.

Yo Dave, After reading the posts on this thread an IFMGA guide emailed me to clarify a couple technique pointers...so I wrote it up on my blog, which you can see here:
www.elevationoutdoors.com/magazine/the-kong-gigi-totally-coo>>>

The user manual for the GiGi is also avail here:
www.kong.it/doc412.htm

There's a situation in which the GiGi can be rigged like the ATC Guide or Reverso, which while appropriate for those two devices is INCORRECT for the GiGi--something worth noting and always avoiding...there's video and pics in the post if you're interested.

Hope you are out and climbing,
Rob C

Anyone rappel w/ this and find it to be smoother? My raps are maddeningly slow and bouncy. It takes me like a minute to even overcome static friction, which is accomplished by by pushing the free ropes thru. Usually I use a reverso or WC tube & put the friction side up,ropes range in 9.2mm - 9.5mm. I have a 10.1mm which I haven't used yet (thick by today's standards, I know). Recently I eliminated the backup prussick and that's a bit better, and started feeding the rope the entire time by holding free ends of the rope almost parallel with the ropes going up to the anchor. This is dangerous b/c my brake hand is not in the brake position.

I also tried out the Omega SBGII and the BD tube (no friction grooves) which work a bit smoother and give a faster rap. I wanted to try a Figure 8 (hence the purchase of the Omega SBGii) but it looks like it only gives fast smooth raps when you use only one end of the rope. With two ends of the rope, the Fig 8 has more friction?

I am now wondering if the King GiGi gives quicker raps. They say you should use 2 carabiners for rope diameters under 10mm but after hearing "not much friction for rappels" i'm thinking that's the recommendation for average weight men, and to try it out on over and under 10mm ropes, w/ 1 carabiner and a backup prussick for safety.

I use the CAMP OVO which is essentially the same basic design. It's fantastic, and I rappel on mine all the time.

It is an amazing device for long routes, especially with two ropes or lots of drag. I & partners always just switch off so the leader has the OVO to belay up the follower/s. The follower usually has a grigri, cinch, or Mammut Smart for belaying the leader.

Both climbers (leader and follower) will get locked-off automatically without a break hand on the rope, and the system overall is still very very light and versatile.

Rapping with a Gigi is often faster than you'd like, even with fat ropes. Try it first with a backup.

Thanks! Yep I will try it out w/ a backup accessory cord wrap first.

Can't wait to try it out for rappels, and it will definitely be coming with me on all multi-pitches. I can't believe Blake passes the device around.. what if one of you guys drops it? Then someone has to use a munter hitch to get down and you guys won't be going up anymore.

Like overpacking, I overcarry. I usually have a gri gri for belaying the leader or second and two ATCs b/c I'm worried I'll drop my ATC while slotting the ropes thru it for rappels. I figure that giant burrito I ate and that gulp of water I took weighs much more than any ATC.

So now I'll take the gigi instead of the extra atc.

Oh yes thanks for reminding me of the old fashioned rappel method... I guess I can leave one belay device behind.

It would save weight and cluster factor.

Another trick is to open your locking biner such that the gate 'traps' the wire on your ATC while slotting for rappel. Hard to describe, but if you squeeze the gate firmly against the spine of the biner, with the wire of the ATC behind it, it would be hard to drop your device and this allows you enough room to load ropes.

what blake said. Love the gigi switch off. Faster transitions too.

LOL on the 'hot potato'. I wasn't thinkiing... it's not handed off, the belay device comes off the anchor when starting the next pitch anyway. Good idea to minimize redundancies.

I use my ovo to lead belay all the time. Love it