Question about the Akimbo lanyard connection/release mechanism....?

[Zebco Kid]

Hello All,

I am enjoying the Akimbo for my recreational climbing. I'm using it in SRT and DRT configurations. I think it's a fantastic piece of equipment (engineering). Not only is it functional, but it's a "beautiful" design.

With all of that praise, I have one complaint. It seems to me that the lanyard connection/release mechanism is activated too easily. It would be nice to adjust the tension.

I understand that this is a safety feature, but I experience many unplanned/undesired disconnects.

Any thoughts, solutions, advice?



Thank you.

 

[Boconnor303]

It's designed to open anytime you sit back (down or away from the device). Which is convenient when you need to stop on the way up and do work, also it makes for an easy hands free disconnect of whatever is tending your system.

Also, I think I remember reading somewhere it's a safety feature because force in that direction can keep the Akimbo from engaging?

I think some guys have taped or glued it shut but I have no experience with that modification


Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[Zebco Kid]

Hello Boconnor303,

You are correct. It definitely works PERFECTLY as you describe. Unfortunately, standing up with the foot and knee ascender, and maneuvering the chest harness ring takes a bit of effort (big baby here!). As I'm writing this, I started thinking about a solution. It would be cool to have a locking retractable lanyard...kind of like the dog leashes (too big obviously), or key holder, or fly fishing tool holder.

It would be cool to extract the line, hook it on from the sit position, then stand up. In doing that move, it would retract. If it could then lock, so that the Akimbo mechanism could serve its purpose, that would be cool.

With that idea...I'm going to be rich! I just need everyone on the forum to purchase an Akimbo. Smile.

 

[Jonny]

Missed the boat on this one, eh?
Put a wanted add up, someone might sell or trade.

 

[Zebco Kid]

Is that a new model, old model, other brand?

 

[Jonny]

That’s the GoFundMe version. I think Jamie was taking paid pre-orders through GoFundMe so he could secure the capital to really work the kinks out and have it working exactly how he wanted it.
Probably can’t bring Rock Exotica anything but perfectly working samples.

 

[Stumpsprouts]

A snapping latch you can find at any hardware store can bite around the wire of the gate of the latch on the akimbo bypassing the safety feature.

Bypassing the safety feature. It’s worth repeating

 

[Jonny]

What are you using to tend yours?
You can use a little piece of throw line or small split ring or keychain ring attached to the wire gate. A neck tether with magnet might stick nicely to a keychain ring.

It sucks that they gotta make things idiot proof to the point that it affects functionality. I would’ve rather seen just a smaller hole that couldn’t possibly accept a normal size carabiner.

I get where they’re coming from. If the GoFundMe version would’ve been made commercially available, I’m sure we would’ve seen an accident as a result of someone using that little shackle in a life support application.

I heard a rumor about a new Akimbo too. If true, it may take a while before it’s available.

 

[Zebco Kid]

I use a simple chest harness: straps around the chest, and criss crosses from back over the shoulders. All straps connect to a center ring. That ring connects to the Akimbo. Mine is homemade, but this is the idea:

 

[oldoakman]

That is the one reason i have not bought one. I stop a lot on ascent to catch my breath (age has its downfalls).

 

[Zebco Kid]

I've been noticing that! Perhaps we should start spelunking. The downward descent must easier. We'll deal with climbing back up later. Smile.

 

[Stumpsprouts]

This shows what I was trying to describe… the snatch bites the wire gate. Not sure why the photo is rotated…

 

[Zebco Kid]

Thank you, Stumpsprouts.

 

[chiselbit]

I also didn’t like the easy open feature. More trouble than it’s worth. I ended up tying a small loop of throw line through the gate so I could clip in with micro biners or snaps like stumpsprouts

 

[Zebco Kid]

Hello All,

I hope the weekend finds you well.

I think I came up with a simple solution for the Akimbo lanyard connection.

But first, let me share a thought about safety. I think the feature they have is really important if the lanyard were around your neck. In that case, I can see why a swift release is really important. As I shared above, I use a chest harness, with the connection point north of my naval, and south of my collar bones. I don't see how I will "hang myself" with a strong release mechanism.

OK...on to the show.

I looked at the circle on the Akimbo, and found a hollow tube that fit that diameter. I cut the tube, creating a spacer, to match the width of the Akimbo spine in that area. I inserted the cut tube (spacer) into the area where the lanyard goes. Voila...my lanyard stays in place.

If the spacer comes loose, I'll just put a dab of hot glue on it.

Cost for the solution...about $4.

Cheers.

 

[Treezybreez]

I simply tied a small loop of cordage in the main attachment point of the Akimbo. Then I put my lanyard over the shoulder and clip in.