cmi foot ascender?

[GoodYautja]

The Pantin is more popular, why aren't more people using the cmi? it supposedly can lock in place, like when using the Pantin with a biner, just wondering if there is a downside to it? does the lock work well? are the teeth any different? Thanks!

 

[lumberjackson]

I have used both, and currently own the CMI version. Personally, I prefer the CMI one because you can engage/disengage it using only your other foot. The rope also stays in without a 'biner, and is just overall, I think anyways, more user-friendly and cost effective ($20 less on TreeStuff.com).

The downside it the bulkiness of the ascender. With the pantin, it's light weight and low profile makes it hardly even noticeable. The CMI weighs nearly 3 times as much as the pantin, and sticks out about twice as far from your ankle. That hasn't caused any problems for me, it is just a hassle sometimes to have such a clunky thing right there. You could say it's "built to last," but I think it is way too overbuilt.

Just my $0.02, I would recommend trying them both out as it is more a matter of preference.

Jackson

 

[oldoakman]

I have used the Pantin for about 11 years and also have the CMI. I just started using the CMI in Gerry Baranak's Ddrt ropewalker system. It works well for that. The teeth of the CMI ascenders are at a 90 degree angle from the cam whereas the Petzl teeth are at a downward angle. Both mfg have conical teeth. The CMI is a bit harder to cinch up as the clasps are on the outside of your foot.

 

[GoodYautja]

Thanks guys. I have been using a Pantin for a couple years, i think i will try the cmi for kicks.

I recently picked up the trick from someone here of putting my other foot on top of the ascender to use both legs to ascend with. I forgot to ask but I'm guessing this will still work on the cmi since its bulkier... and being able to unlock it with the other foot sounds sweet...

cheers!