New device from ISC

[Steve Connally]

Hi Steve,
Glad to hear that you've been trying out the REFLEX. It's quite unique and direct comparisons to other devices make explanations tricky, I think. But there are certain techniques that we are used to employing and if the tool can't perform then it can be quite annoying. The early prototypes didn't have the small tether attachment. I felt it unnecessary, especially as there are two other holes available. Two key attributes to the tether point are keeping the device secure when changing out the swivel and towing a second device when rope walking.
I personally like stiffer ropes. Kalimba is not for me. I've been loving Yales Blue 32. For me it's a perfect rope for the REFLEX.
I was thinking about your comment about self tending as I was spiking up a trunk today. I've been on the Uni with a tether for a few years so it's second nature to grab the device and slide it up as I go.
Keep posting your thoughts as you go along, it's fun to read.

Thanks Paul, I did a pretty good prune yesterday on a brittle species and was able to get way down on the 3" droppers with relative ease. The return was very intuitive. Couple swings and jumps that seemed easy to feather the device for a decent landing vs a crash landing. I need to play with the ascent tending some more. I have been using the tending point for rope walking and might change that to the carabiner hole like on the spar. I'd try Blue 32 but I'd have to sell another crane to afford it and I'm all out of cranes. Over all I'm enjoying it. Getting used to how different it feels in the hand compared to the ZZ. Why would you change out the swivel and I'm not sure what you mean about dragging another device.

 

[evo]

I’m also unsure about ‘dragging another devise’
My imagination has it as a spot to connect a knee ascender bungee to and use the ddrt/Mrs point for a chest tending attachment.
But both of you have this unit in hands and I’m just using my imagination going by photos.

I know I’m being whiny but really wish there was a non swivel option.

 

[ATH]

....

I know I’m being whiny but really wish there was a non swivel option.

 

[Steve Connally]

I’m also unsure about ‘dragging another devise’
My imagination has it as a spot to connect a knee ascender bungee to and use the ddrt/Mrs point for a chest tending attachment.
But both of you have this unit in hands and I’m just using my imagination going by photos.

I know I’m being whiny but really wish there was a non swivel option.

I don't like having my knee ascender attached to the device. Feels like it drags too much agains the bungee stretch. This is why I still wear a chestie. May have something to do with how he will climb on one UNI dragging another along site it on his 2 rope system. I'll hold for his explanation.

Why the hesitation on the swivel? I could see having another option but so far, the swivel has been helpful. I don;t have a swivel on my ZZ or Runner but put a director on my Akimbo and I like it. I also use it as a second system or as an adjuster when I turn my lanyard into a double ended lanyard.

 

[Bart_]

You can really see the extra metal in the zigging links in Muggs photos. Strength for the eccentric loading. Symmetry is why the links on the zig zag can be so small. Neat how the rope pinch gets activated SRT and unloaded DRT. It's a 2 speed automatic Powerglide a reference for the older folks.

 

[SoftBankHawks]

Thanks Paul, I did a pretty good prune yesterday on a brittle species and was able to get way down on the 3" droppers with relative ease. The return was very intuitive. Couple swings and jumps that seemed easy to feather the device for a decent landing vs a crash landing. I need to play with the ascent tending some more. I have been using the tending point for rope walking and might change that to the carabiner hole like on the spar. I'd try Blue 32 but I'd have to sell another crane to afford it and I'm all out of cranes. Over all I'm enjoying it. Getting used to how different it feels in the hand compared to the ZZ. Why would you change out the swivel and I'm not sure what you mean about dragging another device.

If you are ascending with two lines and devices, you climb up one as normal and clip the second device to the first, allowing it to trail alongside.
The swivel is designed to be able to go straight on a bridge, with no karabiner attachment. It will be sold as a spare so there are options to leave one on the bridge and have another with a karabiner. Wether this is good for you or not there are options.
Personally I use a roll clip karabiner on my chest and clip it underneath the device. It keeps me close to the rope and upright. The pulley makes ascending super smooth. Like a poor man's chest-roller

 

[Quercky]

@SoftBankHawks
How does the reflex handle wet ropes?
Ditto with sap/pitch?
The latter obviously has a huge spectrum as I’ve been bound stuck with hitches, but I’ve found most mechanicals I’ve tried don’t like the slightest amount on the rope.
I’m about the pull the trigger, I had a brief love affair with the akimbo. Used a bulldog I couldn’t get dialed in. I like the hh2 but setup is a pain. I don’t like the uni, as I couldn’t get it to descend well for me. So my go to is a rope wrench.

Received my Reflex a week ago--used it in some medium-for-PNW-rain, in trees covered in Usnea, the device did fantastic and ran super smooth. I swapped between SRT and DRT, no tether on SRT (I'm 105#, don't really feel the need to add extra friction when I'm outside of the lowest kg range they detail in the manual for tether vs no tether). I normally run ZZ with swivel, and the smoothness and responsiveness was on par. Very stoked to have invested in it!

 

[ghostice]

Good manual/instructions. Looks like only above ~300 lbs you'll need extra friction from a tether (rescue?) - P8. I like that it'll work on kernmantle 11's too. Oh oh, maybe new shiny thing- itis again!

 

[snunyabizness]

@SoftBankHawks
How does the reflex handle wet ropes?
Ditto with sap/pitch?
The latter obviously has a huge spectrum as I’ve been bound stuck with hitches, but I’ve found most mechanicals I’ve tried don’t like the slightest amount on the rope.
I’m about the pull the trigger, I had a brief love affair with the akimbo. Used a bulldog I couldn’t get dialed in. I like the hh2 but setup is a pain. I don’t like the uni, as I couldn’t get it to descend well for me. So my go to is a rope wrench.

ditto, this is verbatim my own experiences and sentiments.