Life expectancy of connectors

[treeweaver]

Although only a year old my large rock exotica swivel is looking pretty bad. I find myself thinking about it when high up and never know if its worth the money to replace it for the gained peace of mind. How often do you guys switch out your swivels or similar.
I also often find myself thinking about my Treemotion buckles, that look like hell, but the saddle is only a year old. I don't know if I'm being paranoid but the buckles seem to have a little more jiggle than when brand new. I love the harness though.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I've got many old harnesses and buckets of hardware that has seen years of service. There hasn't been anything that I wore so bad that I was concerned. A few pieces have gotten bent or distressed over the years. None of my hardware has ever looked too worn in routine use.

Do you need a gear inspector....

 

[altissimus]

...... a guy who worked for me years ago had worked ground for a two time world champion tree climber .... that guy always said ... "either you trust your equipment , ... or you don't" .... make good careful inspections and retire at the point of distrust .... my two centimes ... Dave

 

[goodaking]

To funny. I was wondering the same thing. I have almost the same scenario, but the swivel I just switched out was the large petzel swivel. I have been climbing on it for 2 years and just noticed a groove wearing in to it from my original treemotion bridge. I figured I would try the rock exotica to compare the ware. I noticed the rock exotica has more play in it when I bought it that was alitte concerning to me a first.
I’ll try to post some picture of the wear on the petzel swivel

 

[Tr33Climb3r]

[ QUOTE ]
Although only a year old my large rock exotica swivel is looking pretty bad. I find myself thinking about it when high up and never know if its worth the money to replace it for the gained peace of mind. How often do you guys switch out your swivels or similar.
I also often find myself thinking about my Treemotion buckles, that look like hell, but the saddle is only a year old. I don't know if I'm being paranoid but the buckles seem to have a little more jiggle than when brand new. I love the harness though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have the small rock exotica willing to sell it

 

[southsoundtree]

I think of it as replacing your (pretty) full confidence in your gear, the peace of mind, and your productivity. In the process you get new gear.

If you are distracted by any mistrust, and make a mistake that has nothing to do with gear failure, could that not be just as bad?

I don't use a swivel, but I think that maybe there are more hidden components than in other gear, such as a 'biner, or rope, that prohibit inspection.





It would be good to know how a worn piece of gear compares to new regarding strength.

 

[Nevic]

Switch it out. You know that your pychic.