anyone try the new BD Gridlock Screwgate?
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Evan Horvath aka Evan1984 wrote: Yep. Are you asking a rhetorical question to show your skepticism of an assertion that challenges your belaying dogma? Use the narrow end with a gri or cinch. Using the narrow end also adds in a a bit of friction when using an atc becuase it seats down harder on the belay device. Give it a try.Rarely used a grigri or cinch as I don't own either, but I can see now how that would be more secure with those type of devices. I thought that the larger, rounder surface was always better/smoother and thats what that comment was regarding (grigris & cinches hadn't been brought up). The DMM belaymaster and the BD Gridlock try to keep it oriented this way by design. |
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Mark Cushman wrote:Ryan, that's not a safe belay device. THIS is the only way to be safe:HA! |
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THREAD DRIFT! |
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All this talk makes me want to try the "no twist belay loop" on my CAMP harness. Never liked the thought of threading a biner through the webbing. I've always thought that only using half of the webbing's thickness was not confidence inspiring, but I know its more than strong enough to hold a car. |
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Matt N wrote:I thought that the larger, rounder surface was always better/smoother...Rounder? The rope runs circumferencially around the biner, the surface contact area should be more or less the same on either end. |
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I'm not into gimmics and been using the new locking biner for a while now. Thought it a gimmic and decided it wasn't. I like it a lot. |
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Ryan Kelly wrote:That said, BD seems to be moving towards putting their energy into developing gimmicky unnecessary crap. I'd keep this one on the shelf right next to their last belay device innovationThere is only a certain window of time that gear manufacturers can sell this stuff to clueless noobs before they know any better....don't take that away from them... |
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I actually really like my new Gridlock. Being safer is never a gimmick. |
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Have the new Gridlock biner and really like it for use with my Gri Gri. Nice to not lock down and see it crossloaded. Have a DMM belay master too, but, that plastic dealy is annoying 'cause you have to remove it to use the small end of the biner. |
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Anyone know if a belay loop AND your rope tie in loop will fit in the small part of the gridlock? |
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There's a massive problem with using a Gridlock with a GriGri. Those of you with that combination should try to emulate this issue. I think it's intuitive to place the smaller side into the belay loop for most people but this is dangerous and the instructions for the biner are not always perused properly by people, especially those with a lot of experience and time using previously standard devices. |
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I have had a gridlock since I first saw them in the store. I have had it for probbaly 2-3 months now and have noticed the big side of the biner where I rappell is wearing rather quickly. I was curious to see if anyone has had that problom with theirs? I have had several other biners that havent worn this quickly. |
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I've been happily using a Belay Master for many years. There are two things it does that the Gridlock apparently does not: 1) if the plastic clip is in place, you can be sure that you've adequately tightened the screw and 2) it prevents anything from unintentionally causing it to become unscrewed with the potential consequence of the gate opening at an inopportune moment. It can, however, be a bit of a pain because it catches on things when it's hanging off your harness and it also can require some contortions to get it clipped into your belay loop when in tight quarters at a belay anchor. |
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cellige wrote:Anyone know if a belay loop AND your rope tie in loop will fit in the small part of the gridlock?This is also a little problem with the DMM -- it's veeerrry tight. |
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cellige wrote:Anyone know if a belay loop AND your rope tie in loop will fit in the small part of the gridlock?The picture in my post above is a Yates Shield which has a wider than average belay loop. It is difficult to fit into the small side of the Gridlock. With a normal harness I would think that the belay loop and sub 10.0 rope would fit, though it might have the rope in front of the belay loop for whatever (if any) that changes for the forces in the system. |
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johnL wrote: Even worse though, is that whenever I wear them, I spend all my time explaining what they are and why I'm wearing them.You'll find it really easy to explain once you stop trying to mince around the fact you are sporting cut-rate doucheware. |
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kevin deweese wrote: The picture in my post above is a Yates Shield which has a wider than average belay loop. It is difficult to fit into the small side of the Gridlock. With a normal harness I would think that the belay loop and sub 10.0 rope would fit, though it might have the rope in front of the belay loop for whatever (if any) that changes for the forces in the system.I don't have access to any shops that have one, do you perhaps have any cord between 8-9mm that you could try in there with your belay loop? I can't believe that BD thought that that hole would be big enough... sigh. However their hoodwire is impressive. |
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Looks like the dmm belay master 3 is basically out. It seems to have the most room in the smaller hole. Anyone have one yet? :) |
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I have been using the gridlock for about 2 months now. I think it is great but a bit heavy and specific for belaying only as it gets snagged easily when using it on a master point off a cordellete. I simply use it when im a belay bitch... or at the gym. |
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For anyone intersted, I have verified that a >10mm rope will fit with a standard BD belay loop as well in the small end of the gridlock. Tschau! |