MarkS said:
Cap'n Chris said:
Any particular reason?
Yes: the handle and the studs - I've not used one but from the photos (for which, thanks!) the following leap out:
Heavy indents will collect clay, as will the little hole and the gap between the plates/cams
The handle is long and narrow and looks like a snag/poke potential
Locking off (single handed one-move is possible with present Stop); I'm intrigued how the various lock-off configurations with the present Stop are replicated with this new one
Extremely confined descents are routinely managed by extending present Stop on a short safety connector but the handle is still easily within reach - the new one looks like the handle will be a greater stretch to get hold of
If used in an exceptionally muddy environment the new Stop handle and body will become a long clump of mud and getting the handle open looks like it would be fiddly
Is there a handle function override? (i.e. the present Stop can be converted to function as a Simple)
It looks significantly bigger (given the handle) than the old one, and presumably heavier?
Locking off when using class L ropes and twin braking carabiners it looks as though the handle on the new one has a likelihood of becoming linked into the higher braking carabiner.
The studs holding the bobbins don't look in-field user serviceable like the present Stop (spannerable) and the bobbins appear solid (are they?) - if they are not solid how can you visually ascertain wear depth with regard to proximity of need to replace?
The leverage of the handle, combined with finger-sized gaps between it and the body: it looks like pinch injuries could predictably occur.
It would be interesting to try one to see whether any of these are issues or whether they've all been considered and countered by the (usually ingenius) Petzl design team: I'm a great fan of Petzl (not *everything* they do, though - e.g. Freino, triact gates etc. etc.) so please don't think I'm being anti - it might be the best thing since sliced bread.
I'll be v interested to hear Mike Hopley's thoughts.