Petzl ZigZag & Zillion Recall

Jesse

Jesse

Location
Lexington, KY- USA
What are everyone's thought on the new Petzl recall/safety warning for the ZigZag and Zillon laynard adjuster? (here is the link)
The Petzl website gives inspection instructions and states that if properly inspected for function it is safe to continue using. I really like my ZZ but I have concerns with the continued recalls and issues. I'm feeling inclined to take them up on a refund and move away from using them.

SAFETY INFORMATION: CASES OF SLIPPAGE WITH ZIGZAG / ZIGZAG PLUS / ZILLON​

We have received reports of users experiencing rope slippage while using the ZIGZAG, ZIGZAG PLUS and ZILLON. Following these reports, we have identified two defects causing the slippage. We therefore ask you to do a manual inspection and a function test of your product, to detect any possible slippage. In case your product slips, we are providing details on our after-sales returns service.​

 
My thought is that this current recall is not so much a safety issue as it is a big nuisance. When a Zigzag wears out, it slips. These “failed” devices are slipping, not just dropping at random, so I’m still quite comfortable using mine. If it starts to slip, I’ll buy a new one or turn mine in to be replaced.

I have climbed on other devices that slipped, like a Rope Runner that was not adjusted for me, and it’s annoying, but not life threatening. So in short, to me, this recall is a non-issue to me.
 
Other thoughts on this are at:

Safety alert, slippage on Petzl Zigzag, Zigzag Plus, and Zillon

This information concerns only the following products: ZIGZAG (D022AA00), ZIGZAG PLUS (D022BA00), ZILLON (L22A 025, L22A 040, L22A 055) with serial numbers between 18L 0000000 000 and 21G 0000000 000...
www.treebuzz.com
Personally, with life support systems esp., I am happy for the mfgr's quality control record keeping and recall notification requirements in the EU. In process industry where we come from, we have problems enough with fake parts and a range of other issues impacting equipment safety. Nice to know somebody has your six. So kudos to Petzl on this. This thing must have reached some threshold of complaints or something over there to kick in the recall requirements or maybe there were cases of real sssslippage. I do know I don't want any lanyard slippage when I'm making cuts. To me it's kinda like saying oh, the gate keeps opening but it'll probably stay hooked . . . . Just my 2 cents though.
 
A bunch of threads in various places about this, but I guess I'll reply to this one.... I'm with Reach here.

As far as my personal experience, I've somehow managed to collect.... four of them (plus a Zillion).... and never had a single problem. Obviously errors happen, or things wear out, etc. I know it's cool to hate on Petzl, but they seem to be proactive on this issue and I have no loss of confidence on the gear I climb on regularly.

DSCN3143 (Custom).JPG


An interesting note, August recently did a video on break-testing his very well used ZZ which is pretty confidence building in my opinion:

 
27RMT0N said:
A bunch of threads in various places about this, but I guess I'll reply to this one.... I'm with Reach here.

As far as my personal experience, I've somehow managed to collect.... four of them (plus a Zillion).... and never had a single problem. Obviously errors happen, or things wear out, etc. I know it's cool to hate on Petzl, but they seem to be proactive on this issue and I have no loss of confidence on the gear I climb on regularly.

View attachment 77736


An interesting note, August recently did a video on break-testing his very well used ZZ which is pretty confidence building in my opinion:

Click to expand...
That IS confidence building. The zigzag is one of my favorite systems. I have one from the last generation of the old style, and it has performed wonderfully.
 
27RMT0N said:
A bunch of threads in various places about this, but I guess I'll reply to this one.... I'm with Reach here.

As far as my personal experience, I've somehow managed to collect.... four of them (plus a Zillion).... and never had a single problem. Obviously errors happen, or things wear out, etc. I know it's cool to hate on Petzl, but they seem to be proactive on this issue and I have no loss of confidence on the gear I climb on regularly.

View attachment 77736


An interesting note, August recently did a video on break-testing his very well used ZZ which is pretty confidence building in my opinion:

Click to expand...
If you need to find a home for your non-swivel zigzag, let me know.
 
Petzl doesn't build their tools robust enough anymore. They keep trying to cut corners. I prefer not to be a guinea pig, when it comes to life support.
 
The Zig Zag has become my device of choice for most work. Recently when I bought a brand new rope I had some slippage issues but now that it is broken in, that issue has self resolved.

I think when companies have multiple voluntary recalls, it shows that they are being a good corporate citizen. It also could show that some products are released or in this case received slight modifications without enough testing. Another thing it shows is a dedication to change and innovation which Petzl has been at the forefront of for many years. I personally find it interesting that here on the Buzz some individuals say "I don't want to be a guinea pig and others will do anything to get their hands on a home built trial run SRT device because they want to be on that cutting edge. As someone who had one of the dirty 30 rope runners and also climbed on a beta version of the Akimbo, I have at times been in that club but now am happy to wait for things to come to market.

Petzl is doing the right thing in my book and I have complete faith that they will continue to do so. I will continue climbing on their products without hesitation.
 
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As a 240-pound guy, I'm curious to know the relative weight of the folks experiencing (or not experiencing) the slippage--and what Petzl specs as the recommended maximum weight.
 
Crimsonking said:
If you need to find a home for your non-swivel zigzag, let me know.
Click to expand...

Still trying to decide what to do with it. I had a few beers a while back and told a friend I'd give it to him.... but he just won a free Rope Runner Pro in a giveaway, so maybe I can back out of that offer, haha :p Was also considering giving it to a new/young climber I know. But yah, if I decide to make a few bucks back on it, I'll let you know.

With already having two of the older swivel models, I wanted to try the newer style non-swivel. It's served me well (not a lot of hours on it actually), but I just prefer the swivel so bought that 'new style' with the swivel from another guy here on the forum.
 
I have over three years of semi-regular rec climbing now on my two older model ZZ's. I weigh about 190 with saddle and gear. No slippage or other problems at all. I love these things and use them with a Rope Wrench for SRT and also for MRS as originally intended. Every one of my ropes work fine with them except a new piece of the big Vortex Cool I just tried. It does not fit into the links very easily. Might just not use it unless I am climbing on my adjustable BDB, which works great with the Cool.
 
I have a zz plus with a serîal number in the affected range. I reported to petzl that my lower lever did seem to stick occasionally, and that sometimes i experience a few inches of slippage when loading. Petzl responded and asked for more personal info, which i supplied. That was ten days ago. I have followed up twice asking if they needed any more info, or if they had any instructions for me. No response from petzl. Dont know if they are overloaded with responses, or what. Has anyone else contacted them?
 
27RMT0N said:
Still trying to decide what to do with it. I had a few beers a while back and told a friend I'd give it to him.... but he just won a free Rope Runner Pro in a giveaway, so maybe I can back out of that offer, haha :p Was also considering giving it to a new/young climber I know. But yah, if I decide to make a few bucks back on it, I'll let you know.

With already having two of the older swivel models, I wanted to try the newer style non-swivel. It's served me well (not a lot of hours on it actually), but I just prefer the swivel so bought that 'new style' with the swivel from another guy here on the forum.
Click to expand...
I’ll buy one of the climbers from ya
 
Has anyone had their ZZ replaced under the recall? How did it go, and how long did it take to get the replacement?

I looked at several sites for new ZZs, and I'm seeing six to ten weeks delays. There are currently no listings on Amazon for ZZs, but eBay has some for 2019 models. 1637642616673.png
 
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Winchman said:
Has anyone had their ZZ replaced under the recall? How did it go, and how long did it take to get the replacement?

I looked at several sites for new ZZs, and I'm seeing six to ten weeks delays. There are currently no listings on Amazon for ZZs, but eBay has some for 2019 models. View attachment 78860
Click to expand...
I’m waiting for a refund currently. The supplier I purchased it from received the ZZ 8 weeks ago and agreed it was faulty. They sent it to petzl which then contacted me 3 weeks ago to acknowledge they had received it. Haven’t heard anything since then.
 
Mine was part of the recall. Petzl replaced it, and were very professional about it. I received a new one a couple of weeks ago. Ive had about 4 climbs on the new one. I loved my old zz. It functioned like two silk sheets rubbing together. Other than the small amount of slippage, it was perfect. But, i do NOT like the new model. It is not the same zz. It is hard to release the release lever to descend. Not as hard as the release on the first model of rope runner, but several times more pressure needed than my old zz. Then, i have to hold onto the tail of my climbing line like grim death to control the rate of descent, otherwise its way too rapid a descent. I cant feather the upper and lower release levers to control descent, which was one of the pleasures on my old zz. I have to descend a foot or so then jerk to a stop, then do it again and again, all the way down. And they changed the metal composition of the release lever to a rougher finish, so it drags slightly while ascending. Not a huge deal, but annoying and not as smooth as my old zz. In summary, this is nowhere near as good as my old zz. I dont like it at all. I talked to petzl. They said they havent heard any complaints from anyone about the new zz being different. They suggested i mail it back to them, and they will inspect it. So im going to do that. Ill update when i hear back from them.
 
Wow, Hosocat's long turnaround time and review of the new ZZ is really disappointing. I can't climb without my ZZ, and I don't want to risk not being happy with the replacement if I send it in.

I guess I'll have to buy a new one to try it out. If it's as bad a Hosocat says, I'll return it and keep using the old one. If it works OK, I'll send in the old one for a possible refund.
 
I agree, with Reach. Though, I wonder if the ZZ that are under recall, wouldn't slip with a rope that would not flatten "when stepped on" - stays very round under pressure.

Mine being "19D01..." isn't a recall, yet it slips with the Scandere.
IMG_1325 2.jpg
I didn't know so many liked and used the ZZ, in SRT.
Even August said, you can't beat it when it comes to smooth descents.
Like August said, he thought the shaft/neck of the swiveling piece seemed to be the weakest link.
That's always been my thought. Especially if it gets dropped or shocked near the shaft.

That test video of August, breaking the old style ZZ plus, is comforting, knowing it broke at 4,400 lbs.
Thanks for posting, 27RMT0N !
 
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