evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
Everything but the notch part…
New Ascender from Reg Coates
- Thread starter Eric H-L
- Start date
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Butte County
I really struggle with buying anything from them, and refuse to buy the first run of anything for sure.
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Butte County
excellent work dude! skillful reduction of it to just the words needed
A downside that I could see without having actually used one is that the grapple seems like it would close up fairly easily if it bumped off a branch or trunk when throwing. More of a minor nuisance perhaps.
That, and the bloody thing is massive!
That, and the bloody thing is massive!
Reg
Branched out member
- Location
- Victoria, BC
It's supposed to close, then drop open again. This is to help find it's way through foliage and eventually to the target. As for size, it's as big as it needs to be so it's not so limited to just small branches. But when it's hung on the saddle, it's obviously very compact.
Thanks for the interest on this whole thread, by the way, on the climbing device too. I just read the whole thing.
Ask me anything about either device, and the Notch situation too, if you are interested. I'll check back
Reg
Branched out member
- Location
- Victoria, BC
No mate. There is no resistance for that exact reason
evo
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- My Island, WA
@Reg
I recall you using that white and red treble grapple. Ive kicked myself for not buying one back when they were available.
I’m curious if you can speak to why you went with a single vs treble on this one. I can take my guesses that it’s mostly for retrieval and less chance of stuck throws.
Also why Notch? I appreciate their support for innovators but that’s about the only positive thing I can think of? Are they making it out of the same type of aluminum? Does the hinge wear down and loosen up into a wobble? Is there a method to loosen it up?
For such a ‘simple’ tool it’s very well thought out. Everything from the tunnel hinge and optional dog bone soft link.
I recall you using that white and red treble grapple. Ive kicked myself for not buying one back when they were available.
I’m curious if you can speak to why you went with a single vs treble on this one. I can take my guesses that it’s mostly for retrieval and less chance of stuck throws.
Also why Notch? I appreciate their support for innovators but that’s about the only positive thing I can think of? Are they making it out of the same type of aluminum? Does the hinge wear down and loosen up into a wobble? Is there a method to loosen it up?
For such a ‘simple’ tool it’s very well thought out. Everything from the tunnel hinge and optional dog bone soft link.
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Reg
Branched out member
- Location
- Victoria, BC
The treble hook was a little undersized. More often than not the 2 extra hooks or claws were a hindrance More than a help. But even if you remove the 2 extra claws the shape was a little off to get a good hold of thicker branches.
As you might know I worked with Stein for years on many products in years gone by. But these most recent projects weren't progressing fast enough. Living in different continents and opposite timezones proved to be a big part of the problem from my perspective. That and other commitments they are obliged to. There's certainly no hard feelings, but it just wasn't happening.
I had an old contact at Notch, who set up a meeting. First on zoom, and the 2 guys flew over to meet me. It's been prettty smooth sailing ever since. Everyone from Notch that I've dealt with since has been very professional, helpful and well mannered. No single request has gone unanswered. My impression thus far is that these are a group of very hard working individuals.
In terms of their existing products, they did send out some merchandise for me to use for their specific photos and videos. I got a harness, roperunner, fusion tether, foot ascender, saw pants, lanyards and that new rope grab. It all seems to be well built and in good working order. With all that in mind, let turn that around and ask, why not Notch ?
I must admit I've not been reading the forums for a few years, so maybe nows a good time to tell me if I've missed or overlooked something terrible about this company. Thanks
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
I'll be interested to hear what Captain Hook users think of its handling by comparison. Some jobs a hook saves so much time and work.
Reg
Branched out member
- Location
- Victoria, BC
As for the hook and hinge design you mentioned. I think you just have to lubricate and keep it clean. Especially if you are doing pitchy trees. You don't want to let the pitch set and go hard over night. The production model is quite a different build from the early prototypes that I made at home. I've had no issues with it through the last year, but I am a good shot and I don't abuse my gear in general. If any such teething problems arise we will work it out. Sabotage is a genuine concern for me. I've read and picked up on a few things in the last week that I don't like the look of.
Reg
Branched out member
- Location
- Victoria, BC
It's been a few years now. Incredibly long winded process overall. It's Patent pending, which cost me a small fortune in lawyers fees, not to mention all the time, material and machinery I had to buy. I put in hundreds and hundreds of hours rebuilding and tweaking the same parts over and over....evenings, weekends, through the nights. More recently Notch have been going through much of the same thing in order to meet the testing requirements for CE/EN regulations. End of summer 2025 is the release date. So there's still a wait, but it will be worth it.
What's ironic is that the whole thing started when Treestuff sent me their new Roperunner a few years back, the try it out. In my ignorance I had it adjusted all wrong and thought 'this thing is terrible, I can make something better than that'.....and so then I started to build the next day. About a week later I was in contact with Kevin who advised me where I had the RR set up all wrong. After making the adjustments it worked beautifully, but I was already locked into making my own device by then.
Reg
Branched out member
- Location
- Victoria, BC
Thanks Bart. Seems like yesterday when you were here, but it was probably ages ago.
Hey Reg, appreciate hearing your thoughts on the product design process, very interesting. As someone who can see the lights of Victoria from my bedroom window in the San Juan Islands just over the border, I'd love to hear (or see in a video...) thoughts on your grapple in the doug firs of our region.
Also, obviously looking forward to your ascender when it becomes available.
Also, obviously looking forward to your ascender when it becomes available.
Reg
Branched out member
- Location
- Victoria, BC
Firs are just easy pickings for the grapple. Nice horizontal limbs, and so many to choose from. No worries in that regard. Which is why I went for oaks
/hardwoods for the video. Odd shaped asymmetrical limbs, crotches and line angles. A lot more skill and judgment is required for the latter.
treebing
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Detroit, Mi.
I ve had a few plays with the grapple last couple of weeks
It throws great. If it were lighter It would have a hard time pulling the rope.
It throws great. If it were lighter It would have a hard time pulling the rope.
ClimbingTN
Branched out member
- Location
- Columbia
What diameter rope are you using?
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