This is the Akimbo

The tree gods are real y'all o_O

In desperation I went to the woods under a full moon, burned a chainsaw carved efigee of a bear cub, and did a special Akimbo dance that only I know how to do. And then BAM! The maple tree I was dancing under dropped this right on my head.
2017-02-16 20.29.58.webp
...or maybe I just ate Thai food, dozed off in the recliner again, and someone mailed me an old prototype. The details around how I got it aren't what's important. The important thing is this version has some qwerks but is still really slick, sharing my settings in the next post.
 
I get that Akimbo pin settings have too many variables like weight, weather, rope, etc. to be a lot of help, however, after spending a couple of hours doing random settings and getting nowhere, I got some tips from a couple of you and decided to go full geek, test it systematically and document results in a spreadsheet (don't judge me!).
Although we would all likely get different results, I do think the methodology will help people get to the right setting faster.

Note: "# of drag" was determined by stepping on the tail and dragging the device alone up the rope by the tending shackle using a luggage scale set to lbs. I did this to find the settings that balanced between drag and slipping under load, the load was me.

[EDIT} The pin numbering is now #6 = LoosestAkimbo Test.webp
 
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FreeFallin said:
#1 is loosest.
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Ok, I'm pretty sure that's the opposite way Jaime refers to them. You could number them anyway you want as long as everyone knows your system. I asked on the Facebook group to be sure and seems like people have settled on tightest as #1, loosest is #6.

35743de8e22f86e89d54ee805aac8245.jpg
 
Great testing and share.

I've always wondered about your screen name FreeFallin......guess your methodical enough in real life for it to turn out ok.....:).

'Old prototype'? That looks one color on an anodized part from being the newest version. Congrats.
 
Tuebor said:
Ok, I'm pretty sure that's the opposite way Jaime refers to them. You could number them anyway you want as long as everyone knows your system. I asked on the Facebook group to be sure and seems like people have settled on tightest as #1, loosest is #6.
Click to expand...

I don't want to confuse folks, I will switch my numbering to stay consistent and re-upload the results.
 
merle_nelson said:
Great testing and share.

I've always wondered about your screen name FreeFallin......guess your methodical enough in real life for it to turn out ok.....:).

'Old prototype'? That looks one color on an anodized part from being the newest version. Congrats.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I really am tickled to get to play with any version, this thing is a piece of art.

FreeFallin is to remind me to stay low and slow when I try something new, and I'm a big Tom Petty fan so it works on a couple levels.
 
OK, pin numbering is fixed on the spreadsheet now. The prototype version I have, had some challenges with Sterling Scion line so I think I have it tuned as much a possible. There is no way it will tail itself at any height, there is too much drag - if I also want to be able to stop at some point. My next step is to get 20' of something like Cougar (puke) or some Yale to test with, if that plays better then I will get a decent hank of it and make a new lanyard out of the test length.
 
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Unfortunately my prototype was immediately modified after my first day with it. So while I have numbers close to yours they are slightly different devices. I will say though that mine is dialed in for Yale 11.7, Prism, and Tachyon, different settings of course but there are ropes that it just does not like.
 
Based on reading this ENTIRE thread, it seems like people had fairly consistent results on several 11.0 lines with all the different prototypes, I may try that. No way to know if the prototype I have has older or newer components than yours had.

My Scion line is not ideal, I have to set the Akimbo to drag mode to get it to hold me, but to be clear, if someone said hey you can use this Akimbo if you want, but you have to agree to hang 3 throw bags around your neck during every ascent, I would say "can you hand me those throw bags over there?", I don't mind fiddling with a few ropes to find a good match.
 
FreeFallin said:
OK, pin numbering is fixed on the spreadsheet now. The prototype version I have, had some challenges with Sterling Scion line so I think I have it tuned as much a possible. There is no way it will tail itself at any height, there is too much drag - if I also want to be able to stop at some point. My next step is to get 20' of something like Cougar (puke) or some Yale to test with, if that plays better then I will get a decent hank of it and make a new lanyard out of the test length.
Click to expand...
I have a metric ton of cougar puke in the garage. Most of it is stuff I replaced but I'm sure depending on the length you want I can cut you a nice hank for testing. I've had it on puke, orange, Aztec, sterling work pro, KM max but haven't tried the confetti or they tachyon yet there both in the garage. Thy tachyon has a few bad spots but again I could cut you a good hank.
 
Steve Connally said:
I have a metric ton of cougar puke in the garage. Most of it is stuff I replaced but I'm sure depending on the length you want I can cut you a nice hank for testing. I've had it on puke, orange, Aztec, sterling work pro, KM max but haven't tried the confetti or they tachyon yet there both in the garage. Thy tachyon has a few bad spots but again I could cut you a good hank.
Click to expand...

That would be really great, I just tried to climb on it and it did not like the Scion at. all. Once the foot ascended was loaded, the Akimbo turned into a boat anchor and then would not open up to grip the rope when I put weight on it. I am learning that the settings on the Akimbo in a controlled test need to include standing on the tail while testing for drag, that seems to make a big difference.

I think you have the red go fund me version right? How was that on the puke?

I just need need 20-30' so I can tie it to the end of my Scion and toss it over a branch.
 
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I was on it very briefly. Didn't have a ton of time to tweak it but I found a good ascent but lots of creep on descent. I've not been able to give it the times needed to dial it in. What were your settings?
 
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