New Petzl GriGri 3 (2019) vs old GriGri 2 (2015)

[Jan_]

I reviewed the GriGri 2019, a new revision of the GriGri2 and WITHOUT the anti- panic brake. Not sure what they are officially calling it, but you can find it under the name GriGri 3, I guess you could also call it GriGri 4 if you take the 2+ into account.

It works well in a RADS configuration, and it is very safe if you know it's boundaries. One-handed rappeling is dangerous, you should keep one hand on the tail end just like you would on a F8. I like to control my descent over tail end pull, keeping the GriGri at a set lever angle close to maximum. The GriGri has also so far been more reliable than friction knots for me.

For a purely rec climber like me the RADS is a superior system when it comes to cost and ease-of-use, I would have probably not gotten into climbing if it wasn't for the GriGri.

 

[climbstihl]

No.
When I write about GriGri's, I write in terms of 'generation'.
#1 = first generation
#2 = second generation
#3 = third generation (ie GriGri +)

The third generation of the GriGri (branded as GriGri +) has the anti-panic feature.
The first 2 generations of GriGri did not have the anti-panic function.
This iteration of the GriGri you mention is in the 3rd gen release - but without the anti-panic function (they removed it). Other than that it essentially same technology - and they kept the same 8.5mm rope capability.

There was never any product released by Petzl under the branding of 'GriGri3' per se. But yes, it can get confusing!
Most of my peer group refer to GriGri's in terms of generational release.

Example of language: "Heh Dude, have you seen the third generation GriGri?"
Reply: "Yes" (and here you add; with or without the anti-panic function).

I know there is no grigri 3, but I'm calling it that to avoid confusion, since it's just called grigri. I agree the + and three are in the same generation, and the cam and handle are the same, but the grigri is not just a + without the panic function, it is also lacking the selector for toprope and lead belay.
It was just the way you worded it that sounded like all grigri "3"s have an antipanic function.

 

[agent_smith]

climbstihl: With all the iterations of GriGri's released by Petzl, it is starting to get confusing.
I prefer to categorize all GriGri's according to the rope diameter they can accept.

Third Generation GriGri's are capable of 8.5mm.
Third Gen includes both the 'GriGri+' and it sister model without the anti-panic functionality

4th Generation will be even thinner rope diameter.
Current tooling is 3rd Gen which is down to 8.5mm.

I would expect that when someone tries to outdo Beal 'Opera' rope and go even thinner, you will see Petzl scramble to keep up and release a 4th Gen GriGri. At the moment, Beal Opera rope is king of the castle.

Personally, I think the shift to including an anti-panic function in the 3rd Gen release was a smart move by Petzl.

 

[DSMc]

... Personally, I think the shift to including an anti-panic function in the 3rd Gen release was a smart move by Petzl.

Why? All I can see with doing so is an acceptance that the user will not be well enough trained in what they are doing. I have not heard of any incidences of the, grab and drop panic phenomena, happening with experienced users. It is a reaction that can be trained out, like climbing on a hitch.

 

[climbstihl]

I think it is a good idea that they have it, although I would never buy it. Also, if it is as ineffective as I've heard, there is no point to it. While I agree that it can be easily trained to not need it, I wouldn't trust the "masses" to properly train.

 

[moss]

Aha, I never had the chance to handle the Rig, looking at the specs I now see it has a lock off but no overpull protection. I like it even better now ;-)

Also aware that Petzl never intended or approved any of the Grigri iterations for rappel use.
-AJ

 

[agent_smith]

Although this is drifting further away the original posters question/thought process...
And I would also comment that the context of this forum is tree climbing (not rock climbing). And so forum posters may be thinking about belay devices and their associated risks from a different viewpoint.

Be that as it may...
We need to remind ourselves that the primary engine driving all this constant change in the world of belay devices is rope manufacturers.

The consumer (eg rock climbers) is demanding light weight ropes. The subtle difference in rope weight trailing underneath a rock jock climber can mean the difference between success or failure in 'sending' the next worlds hardest route.

At the moment, Beal (France) holds the crown for the worlds skinniest EN892 triple certified rope (Opera 8.5mm)
It wont be much longer when a competitor will come forth and release to market an even skinnier rope.

If I was willing to take a guess, I would say the next evolution will be close to 8.2mm, and I wouldn't be too shocked if they manage 8.0mm.
If that happens, it will shake up the industry.

Petzl will need to re-tool, and come up with a 4th generation GriGri that can work with sub 8.5mm dynamic rope. You can be your left kidney that Madrock, Camp, Edelrid and DMM will be thinking about this right now...and there might even be something on the 'drawing board'.

There already is a tiny gadget made by CTOMS - primarily intended for the tactical market (eg SEALS, SAS, SWAT, etc).
The rope is 6.0mm.
Link: https://ctoms.ca/collections/rope-s...ts/trace-systems-rope-6mm-dual-pattern-sheath
And the belay device is tiny (a bit smaller than the Madrock 'Safeguard')
Link: https://ctoms.ca/products/quickie-descender
A blog is here: http://privatebloggins.ca/?p=529

So we already have crazy SAS and SEAL team dudes lead climbing on 6.0mm rope. But its done according to strict rules in a tactical context.

It wont be long till we see 4th generation belay devices that will work with sub 8.5mm EN892 certified ropes.