I searched but didn't see this posted anywhere yet, so apologies if this is old news.

It looks like Trango recently revised the instructions for using the Cinch. As far as I can tell not having the old instructions with me, the changes are as follows:
1. Brake strand is "up" and climber's strand is "down" when device is vertically oriented on the belay loop (but horizontal feeding is still recommended).
2. Sly new palm trick for using the rope to lever open the device if it locks up when feeding.

The new PDF instructions and a new video are on the "Instructions" tab here: www.trango.com/Cinch

Just seeing the new instructions this morning, I've yet to try them out. Anybody out there try the new methods, or maybe have been doing them all along? Comments on performance gains/losses?

They revised them about a year ago, I think. Maybe less than that. It looks like a way to help ensure that the device locks up when a climber falls if the belayer is holding the Cinch incorrectly. IMHO, if you're holding the device correctly, the upside down orientation isnt needed.

Holy shit that is so not the way I've been using my cinch. For the last year I've always had the lever on the right side and it's worked beautifully on top rope, lead belay, single stand rapping and multipitch. I am stunned...

New revised trango instructions.
1) remove cinch from harness
2) place cinch on large stack of paper that you don't want to blow away
3) buy an ATC

John Wilder is right. The new way is a bit more reliable if you're not paying attention. It works just as smoothly and some think that lowering is easier.

Best solution: have a belayer that is paying attention...all the time.

Climb safe,
Mal

Alright, thanks for the info John and Mal. I'll probably give the "new" methods a shot the next time I'm out anyways to see how it compares.

On the other hand, I almost have enough dropped climbers stacked up to finish building the fort I've been working on. Maybe I'll stick with the "old" methods a little longer.

Nothing better than a cinch or a Gri Gri if a rock knocks your belayer out cold. My buddy once had an ATC come unclipped from the leaders harness and knocked him silly. Both were glad he was using a Gri Gri.

If you are not smart enough to belay with one of these devices I wouldn't trust you with any other belay device.

Many of you who talk badly of these devices have double and triple redundant systems. A Cinch or Gri Gri is the back for your belayer. Last weekend a buddy pulled a baseball sized hold off. He yelped as he barn doored wildly. I thought he was falling. The rock just missed me but had it hit me I might have been knocked unconscious. Had he done the same thing and fallen and had the rock crushed my helmet and rendered me useless the Cinch is the only thing that would have saved him.

Learn to use the devices properly and quit whinning about them being "bad, dangerous or whatever. Sheesh!

Oh and have a good safe weekend.

Wow, didn't realize we where climbing so dangerously for so many years. I'll try to catch up. Wear a helmet. Oh I see you do. Excellent. I mean that.

A cinch or gri-gri can add an extra layer of safety, if used correctly. If they are used incorrectly, they can be a death trap. I have seen too many folks at the gym holding down the locking mechanism with one hand and feeding rope out with the other. Scary!!!

I've been belaying the right side up way for many years without problem. I guess this might save people who aren't using it perfectly.

When both are used perfectly, a GriGri or Cinch is more safe than an ATC, as others mentioned, due to rockfall or any other unexpected factors that could render a belayer unconscious.

In the same breath, I've seen way more more people belaying incorrectly with auto locking devices.

Cinch is awesome, I wont lead belay without it. Also tr solo is much easier to use a cinch vs either grigri to take up slack. How does it fail when used properly?