spiderjack

james_ellery

james_ellery

Location
Dorset , England
Anyone out there use a spiderjack ? ive used a lockjack didnt really get on with it .Does the spider have two release handles if so does this double the chance of a accidental free fall .. I've been using a vt hitch for a few years now and fancy a change and love shiny things..cheers buzzers
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I use the spiderjack daily, and like it alot. One draw back I found is it binds some on long limb walks. There is only one release handle, the wood handle is used by your thumb to apply more pressure and cuase less wear on the clutch. I say use a friction saver when you first use it as it does take alittle time to adjust to how easy it releases. After you become more comforable with it you can swith to a pulley, but I must warn you with a pulley it gets very hot to handle. Most times I just use a natural crotch as it works this freely on the rope.
 
Thanks for the reply ,i was looking at the ART site it mentions, the user can choose between two operating modes. How does this work and do you get the same problems with a lockjack if you have to climb above your anchor point and not being able to get any slack.. I wanna be sure before i splash the cash !
 
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i was looking at the ART site it mentions, the user can choose between two operating modes.

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the 2 modes they are refering to are the way to release the spider jack mode one you can release it by just pulling down with fingers on the leaver or mode 2 you can use the thumb break injunction with pulling down on the leaver.

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do you get the same problems with a lockjack if you have to climb above your anchor point and not being able to get any slack..

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somewhat it's not as bad as the lockjack sport, plus the rope glides through alot easier, so getting used to releasing the rope as you go higher is somthing you'll have to work on. But all and all it is a good buy, just like any new thing a learning period is needed. Mostly to trust pulling down the release and thumbing the other for fast no hand no decents, little spooky at first but once learned is very nice, other is watch the heat if long fast decent, rope through pulley it does get hot. Low and slow
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yea needs to have the end of the rope right there. If you have a spliced eye then ya need to feed the whole line through to the splice. Now I've not seen the SJ2 up close so I don't know if they have chaged it so that you can, is something I'll have to find out yet. Not even sure what the diff is between SJ1 and SJ2 Maybe Mark C or one of the other guys that get the toys sent to them to try out, could give some insight on that.
 
I agree with Jerry. I climb on a VT everyday and love it. I am sure it is my ignorance, but those "high tech" devices scare the shat outta me. I never have used them, so I dont have faith in them.
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The LJ and SJ don't have the range of friction to control a descent without a hand tethering the upcoming line. So descents with those devices are not much better than a figure 8.

Least with a friction hitch, {taughtline, Blake's, VT) you can control your descent with one hand and use the other for grabbing, pulling and doing what ever during the descent.

Probably the only exception, to a degree, would be the Uniscender. Because the range of friction with it is akin more to afriction hitch. Because of the number of pressure points it exerts on the line. With the LJ and SJ there's only one. The uniscender has four pressure points to distribute the friction.

I tried them all. Their cool and what not, but I'll stick with the old stand by friction hitch. There just so much more control, and with one hand.

Just my opinion.
 
The SpiderJack is amazing. The design is clean and simple. It works very good, but takes getting used to. I am not as good with mine as others are, but I am trying. For that reason I use the friction hitch more. Maybe over time I'll get better?
 
Like all climbing tools, each takes some time to get comfortable with. And really I didn't give either the LJ or SJ that much time to gain the confidence or control I've learned with friction hitches.

To each his own on that one.
 
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The LJ and SJ don't have the range of friction to control a descent without a hand tethering the upcoming line. So descents with those devices are not much better than a figure 8.

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I think this statement does a bit of disservice to the LJ and SJ. Although I have no personal experience with the SJ, I use the LJ extensively. Whereas it is true that their modulation is more sensitive it should not be overlooked that the descent/repel portion of work positioning is only half of what is required and the easy half at that. The microfine adjustments that can be made effortlessly in the upward/ascent direction is what make these tools so special.

I enjoy burning out of the tree with one hand on the friction hitch as much as anyone. But it is a very small part of what we do day-to-day to make our living and once you get the hang of it, a fast repel with the Lockjack will definitely get your heart pounding for those adrenaline junkies.

Dave
 
I agree. I am much smoother with a hitch than any device. But some climbers are the opposite. I have seen some that climb incredibly well with the LJ. Heck, just look at Hubert (the inventor) climb on any of them. He is amazing with them.
 
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The LJ and SJ don't have the range of friction to control a descent without a hand tethering the upcoming line. So descents with those devices are not much better than a figure 8.

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Thats where the SJ is much different, with the spider jack you can one hand descent, and without the hand even coming into contact with the rope. Thats what the thumb brake is for, you pull down with the fingers and push with the wooden thumb brake. Just go low and slow first, get used to it and you'll see it is better than any knot used. except for the long limb walk binds but then I get that even with knot use too so?

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With the LJ and SJ there's only one

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if ya use the thumb brake you get 2 friction pionts with the sj?
 
Mark, Hubert weighs in at only 95 pounds soaking wet. And I will grant the thumb brake gives a margin of control.

Still, after trying them all I'm a sucker for a friction hitch. I can't help it.
 
I tried trhe first generation LJ and it was too much like a switch....either off or on. That was when I was first starting to climb and never went back. I used a Positioner for about 2 years and just switched back to a hitch setup on my lanyard. The Positioner was too quick to let out slack, I like the control that a hitch gives me!!!
 
should have looked more before asking about lockjack

this string was very informative sounds like the spiderjack is worth trying.

i have allot more questions about these devices

i was at vermeer fri. and couldnt resist picked up the positioner havnt climbed on it yet but im realy looking forward to trying it out

i probably should take it back and get a Klimair 2-way with the swivel. anyone using that?????

What else did you not like about the ART Positioner ???
 
Seems like there's not been much conversation about the Spiderjack here for a while. It's a shame, because (with a few months of practice) it is a fantastic, smooth tool for moving quickly around the canopy.

Spiderjackery HD

There are of course disadvantages, as it is in some ways a big change from a traditional or VT setup. Not being able to attach midline makes planning the climb more important, and removes some access possibilities... but adds a whole load of other ones. It is possible to footlock the doubled line above the spiderjack, and then tail the device up to meet you, just as if you had a groundie tailing a VT up from below.

The main difference for me, however, is not the smoothness or speed of the Spiderjack, or the distance it adds to the range of your jumps (after all, that's mainly just for fun!) but the massive reduction in the energy required to spend the day working around a large tree. It's so much easier on your body! I reckon this one device probably adds 5 years to your climbing life.

At first, until you get the hang of attenuating friction with the wooden block, your instinct (if you are used to a prussik) is to try and attenuate friction by actuating the cam. This gives the jerky, stop-start climbing that everyone complains of, and also wears out the cam scarily fast: I had to replace my first cam after just 5 weeks. After that though I started getting the hang of the block and the cam lifespan improved, until now I use no more than two a year, or maybe even less. At that rate the system is cheaper than prussiks - I used to go through a spliced prussik every few months.

Anyway, thanks for reading my 2 cents. If you've got the time, check out my video , which demonstrates better than I can explain why I couldn't go back to using a hitch
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