Any reviews/use of Mega Jul II ? (2nd/updated version please)

My Google Fu has failed and I have not found any reviews of the updated Mega Jul II - "MJ2". I see the CE cert was issued Sep. of 2023.
https://avs.edelrid.com/images/attribut/73831-01_Mega_Jul_II_Conf.pdf

Looking to replace my aging Smart Alpine, and wondering how this handles guide mode. (The Smart handles fatter ropes very well)
MJ2 is rated 8.6-10.0mm for single ropes; the OG MJ was 8.9-10.5.

Pics to show there is a difference (Edelrid's site only shows the MJ2 now)

Slight update to design (wonder if it is like Smart 2.0 vs OG? Is this the Smart Alpine 2.0 I've been waiting for?)

Anyone have one and can compare to the OG Mega Jul and Giga?

I do have the MJ1 and, same as you, could not find any information online so emailed Edelrid about the differences:

„We have made design improvements to the MegaJul II that make it much easier to pull the rope when belaying a second climber in lead mode and to feed the rope when belaying a lead climber“ (Translated)

If I have the chance I will give it a try, but to me the statement was to vague to go and order one.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Yvo0HOr9woE?si=MmI_ubm71hoZ-wE6

I've been using the mega jul 2 for around 2 weeks, mostly alpine climbing and a little sport. I haven't used the V1 or smart so I can't compare it to that. Using with 8.1 half ropes, there's about the same amount of friction as a reverso but more than an ATC for belaying from the top. Using it for belaying a leader with the 8.1s was a breeze as long as there wasn't a huge loop of rope on the brake side, if there was, it made it quite hard to pull out slack. I also used it with a 9.1 beal joker. It worked really well for belaying a leader or follower. Pulling up slack in guide mode felt about the same as an ATC and easier than a reverso. I also tried it with a 9.5 sport rope, but it was too grabby for my liking for belaying a leader and I never tried it in guide mode. Another small annoyance is unlike an ATC you will have to rethread the rope through the device when switching from belaying a follower to leader. 

I tried rappelling once in auto locking mode with the 9.1 and it was very jerky. Using it not in locking mode with the 8.1s was great. My biggest problem with using it as a rappel device is that if you're the first person down and need to ascend, you cannot clip it into guide mode and use as an ascender. The carabiner jams into the slot when you try pulling rope through. 

In my opinion it excels when using skinny half or twin ropes or a skinny single if you don't like a grigri. The leader gets a belay with the mega jul and the follower is belayed with a atc or reverso. However you have to remember to switch off devices. Let me know if you have more questions, happy to do some testing as well if you'd like.

Yep.
Gave it a try with a 9.5 Mammut - more effort than I want for guide mode.
I'll be posting my for sale in the morning - we still need to wear out our 9.5+ ropes.

The mega Jul 1 instantly became my favorite all around belay/rappel device when I first used it. However, it had many short comings: top rope belay was not very smooth, rappel a bit jerky at times, and lead belay smoothness very dependent on rope diameter. 

Then the giga Jul came out, and it was better in pretty much every way, but has the annoying slider mechanism which can also be a bit confusing. I personally found setting up guide mode on this device much more confusing than the mega Jul. 

The mega Jul 2 somehow improves on the giga Jul in every way, WHILE removing the slider! I personally find it easier than a gri gri for top rope belay, just as easy as an ATC for lead belay, and smooth on the rappel. Granted, I've been using this style of device for years now so I'm quite used to it - I've found the chief complaint from new users to be the thumb movement not being natural/obvious for releasing the rope. With practice it becomes 2nd nature, so I don't see this as a downside for the device. 

To me, the mega Jul 2 has finally achieved what I've always wanted - the smoothness of an ATC tube style device with the safety of an auto blocking device. It's such a big step forward I am replacing my 1 year old giga Jul with it. I can't vouch for every rope diameter but normal to smaller diameters feel great. 

just got MJ2 a month back and I'm using it on an old 9.8 rope. it's to much friction when i need to feed rope fast for my leader. tried playing with OG MJ for a bit(just tried running through my rope on it didn't get to belay anyone with it) and it so much smoother almost as smooth as my smart 2.

I'm used to belaying with a smart 2

Odinwrote:

just got MJ2 a month back and I'm using it on an old 9.8 rope. it's to much friction when i need to feed rope fast for my leader. tried playing with OG MJ for a bit(just tried running through my rope on it didn't get to belay anyone with it) and it so much smoother almost as smooth as my smart 2.

I'm used to belaying with a smart 2

Try the CT Alpine Up.

Best all around assisted belay device there is.  Smooth belaying, smooth guide mode, smooth rappelling.  

I use the Mega Jul 2 exclusively with 9.8s and don't notice a difference between using it in guide mode vs a Camp Piu 2. It does take attention at first because the sweet spot angles are different. But once you get used to it, it's NBD.

It's always fascinating to me to see how people apparently have completely opposite reactions to these different ABDs, though. It seems to me that they're all *fine*, they all have their quirks that you adapt to, and most of it comes down to expectations.

After my quick trial, I found that the MJII was no Smart Alpine replacement.
I scoured the interwebs and located a near new Smart for sale on FB and they were willing to ship to me. So I'm set for a few more years. The Smart just handles guide belay the smoothest (maybe a GiGi or Ovo would be the only one better, unless going to a GriGri) and that matters to some of us.