BOLA

I have been climbing on the latest BOLA for only a week now, but it is solving so many of my issues that I have had with other adjusters. I haven't used everything out there by any means, but this latest adjuster from Surveyor is excellent. It does SRT and DdRT and does it well. In both configurations you can release it while loaded. Gordon has thought of everything. I particularly like the upper teardrop attachment point that gives you immediate response when tending from that link. I have limited types of ropes to try it on, but it has been perfect for the KM III 7/16. I tried it on the 10mm Reep schnur and it doesn't work with that. And I am going to try it on others too, but have mainly been getting accustomed to it on my lanyard before branching out.

Below is a video to help you get a feel for what its capabilities are. I had a lot of trouble with transferring footage to my computer and I lost some of the better takes so pardon me if there is missing information, I would be happy to answer any questions that are left out of this video. Enjoy! I have certainly been enjoying using this BOLA, and I would recommend you get on the list if you want to get one for yourself.

Thanks Gordon for all the work you have put into all of these tools/accomplishments! You really have a knack for this!
The CBDB has been huge for me and the SRT experience! I look forward to using this BOLA as it becomes an integral part of my daily climb.

Anyway, here is the video:
 
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Doh, I just saw that I repeated "the" in one of the captions! That's too bad, I remember editing that out right before my computer quit unexpectedly from the program, I thought it had auto saved everything, but I guess not. Oh well, I think you can all figure out that it really doesn't need to be in there there twice. :D

Edit: Oh failure, I found some more typos. I am re-uploading the video with corrections, will be up soon.
I will change the original video's link!
 
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Okay it's been corrected! At this point if anybody finds another mistake, just don't tell me...;) but seriously this video was giving me trouble left and right. Thanks!
 
I'm really thinking the swivel is key for me, personally, because my lanyard lives in the lower D's on my TM saddle.

To tend slack, I can pull in any direction, thanks to the swivel. To release, I like the BOLA arms facing up, and actuate it with my thumb. That's rather similar to how I operate the CBDB. Not so ironic.

It's just smooth for days when either tending or releasing. The video @John_KAYS made is great, but I still had no idea how slick this little device would be. Just awesome. I've yet to get pitch on it, so I'll be sure to update when it does.
 
I haven't tried the Nano option on any of the Bulldog devices. I have found the rope grab tethers work well enough on the BOLA, but I might not be really accessing the full potential of the device. The tether has it's limitations, but I do have a secondary swivel on my bridge that I swap my lanyard onto if I am using it where a swivel might come in handy. It's not the same as having the compact setup you are describing, but it is another option... can't say it is as good 'cause I have never used the Nano, but I can assume the swivel makes it a sweet configuration... and after your review I can be certain it is the joint adjacent to the tibia on an Anthophila! :D

I don't know if bees actually have knees...
 
Ok, am I missing something here? You guys are calling this a lanyard adjuster, yet I'm seeing you use it in place of a climbing hitch. Is this for primary life support, has it been tested, rated, or is this a test phase type of thing? Please educate me...because it looks amazing!!!

:frenetico::reloco::rebotando:
 
Kevin Myers said:
Ok, am I missing something here? You guys are calling this a lanyard adjuster, yet I'm seeing you use it in place of a climbing hitch. Is this for primary life support, has it been tested, rated, or is this a test phase type of thing? Please educate me...because it looks amazing!!!

:frenetico::reloco::rebotando:
Click to expand...

Yeah, if you are referring to my video I didn't do a stellar job of showing it in a standard lanyard configuration. It is designed as a lanyard adjuster! I just have expanded the use to incorporate a DMM Captain throwing hook on my secondary side of my lanyard. The B.O.L.A. (Bulldog OAR Lanyard Adjuster) designed and made by Gordon (Surveyor) is a fully mechanical adjuster that works like in a CE Lanyard system in the way that you can double the line back and terminate it at the BOLA (hitch and pulley) to create a sweet little work positioning tool to achieve incredibly versatile configurations. It works just like a main line climbing system, but on a smaller diameter and it is not midline attachable. If you are looking for an incredible SRT climbing device, look into the Compact Bulldog Bone (also Gordon's)!

Edit: Compact Bulldog Bone can be found here: http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/compact-bulldog-bone.28246/page-194
IMG_1993_zps3vubznmd.webp
 
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John_KAYS said:
If you are looking for an incredible SRT climbing device, look into the Compact Bulldog Bone (also Gordon's)!
Click to expand...

Awesome! That was my next question...BDB is for primary life support, go up, go down, don't kill myself, rated, tested, all that jazz? How does this compare to the RR?

John_KAYS said:
The B.O.L.A. (Bulldog OAR Lanyard Adjuster) designed and made by Gordon (Surveyor) is a fully mechanical adjuster that works like in a CT Lanyard system in the way that you can double the line back and terminate it at the BOLA (hitch and pulley) to create a sweet little work positioning tool to achieve incredibly versatile configurations.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'm using a CE lanyard and am in love with it, mainly because I can use it as a second climbing line (not just a lanyard)...BOLA is better iyo?
 
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Yes the BDB is primary life support and I added the link to my previous post that will lead you to 3,875 posts about that device... I guess you would call it a tested device, as it has been used by me and hundreds of others as a daily commuter in thousands of spreading canopies. Contact Surveyor for the details, but yeah it is amazing.

As far as the CE Lanyard goes, it depends on whether you like a hitch based adjuster or a mechanical. The BOLA is fantastic and can be used in very similar configurations to the CE Lanyard. One concern with mechanicals is side loading them around a limb or the like...hitches can be more forgiving in that regard. However, mechanicals are much more consistent rather than dealing with a cord that can be ever shifting and twisting and tightening and all of that. It is a matter of preference and technique, application and performance.
 
John_KAYS said:
Yes the BDB is primary life support and I added the link to my previous post that will lead you to 3,875 posts about that device... I guess you would call it a tested device, as it has been used by me and hundreds of others as a daily commuter in thousands of spreading canopies. Contact Surveyor for the details, but yeah it is amazing.

As far as the CE Lanyard goes, it depends on whether you like a hitch based adjuster or a mechanical. The BOLA is fantastic and can be used in very similar configurations to the CE Lanyard. One concern with mechanicals is side loading them around a limb or the like...hitches can be more forgiving in that regard. However, mechanicals are much more consistent rather than dealing with a cord that can be ever shifting and twisting and tightening and all of that. It is a matter of preference and technique, application and performance.
Click to expand...
Thanks for clarifying everything, reading through the thread now...this will take a while. Looks like the Buzz will keep me up again tonight! :muyenojado:
 
Steve Connally said:
Still got the shit stung out of me! 25+ stings.
Click to expand...

Wow! How the heck did they get at you? It looked like you did a pretty good job trying to seal everything up. If you had to do it again, do you think a real-deal bee farmer's suit would work any better? Or do the bees just get so mad that they're willing to wait until you are forced to come out of the suit due to overheating, & sting the crap out of you then?

Thanks in advance for any answers you are willing to provide, Steve.

Tim
 
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