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Wild Country Astro -hooded nose?

Original Post
Greg R · · Durango CO · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 10

They advertise this to be snag free but it doesn’t look as clean as the helium. Anyone have a comparison when using it with dyneema slings. 

Brandon R · · CA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 223

I've been using these for 10+ years on my skinny dyneema slings and draws. They're not "keylock" or "hooded" like Heliums, but the gate notch isn't very big and doesn't have sharp angles, so I've never had any problem with snagging. Overall, a good balance of size, weight, functionality, cost, and durability for this purpose. Haven't had a sticky gate yet. 

Graham Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

I also have been using them for 10+ years with no issues. I second everything Brandon said. 

K Go · · Seattle, WA · Joined Oct 2017 · Points: 170

That are almost identical to the trango phase, and are relatively low-snag for a standard wiregate. The shroud is just to help prevent rock rubbing from opening the gate, it's not a clean nose. The lower basket is quite narrow and like a round pocket so they don't sit nicely on wide nylon slings, but only really an issue if you're using for racking bd cams. 

For the price, size and weight they are much better than the current gen BD litewire, which is super snaggy like the old neutrino. If you want true clean nose you gotta look elsewhere, but they are cheap and good enough to not be annoying. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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