Unicender

[SoftBankHawks]

It has been about four months since I started to climb with the Unicender and I haven’t looked back. I reviewed it at Arbtalk but there was a lot of contention about the safety markings and subsequent liability. I’d like to leave this at the door for now, for this thread I mean.
Working with the Uni forced my hand to not only access on a single line but to WORK on a single line too. Within days I discovered ease of reaching safer and dare I say more ERGONOMIC positions.
As the line drapes through natural and false crotches there is no extra friction. NO EXTRA FRICTION. It is always the Uni and whatever line you choose to run it with and that is very satisfying. No swivels, friction savers or double re-direct pulleys.
The Uni, worked with a single line, is an access, work positioning and rescue system rolled into one, assuming that a trunk belay is used.
Swings, leaps and descents are fast and controlled. There are two methods for descent, one more simple than the other, but both fast.
I copied Tom’s set-up, using the standard frog-walker gear. Nick spliced a great tether to the Uni that extends and cinch’s in. Thanks Nick!
I would say MAKE THE LEAP guy’s and gals, you won’t be disappointed.

Oh, the photo is access in to an English oak at Hatfield forest for weight reduction pruning. Nice burr!

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

The thing I liked the most about the unicender, over other mechanical ascent/descent devices, is the descents are a lot smoother and in control. It stands to reason, the friction/pressure points of the uni on the rope are 4 times that of the others.

Oh, yeah what a beautiful tree.

My two cents.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

What a wonderful tree!

Today the last tree to prune was a green ash with trunk/limb sprouts as thick as porcupine quills. The climb to the TIP wasn't that far so I decided to just use the Uni and Pantin. when I clipped onto the rope and looked up into that snaggly brush I decided that it would be a better idea to attach the chest ascender too. As careful as I am to never let anything touch my ascenders it seemed too risky to have to climb through a brush so I clipped into my chest ascender too.

The Uni has been performing well for me too.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Okay folks! I have been asking for a video of the Unicender in action for a long time now.

I want to see the swigging and jumping from one work station to another.

I want to see fast descents to a work station.

I want to see this on a video.

(And don't tell me there is a video on Morgan's website.--I know that. IMO, it isn't sufficient enough to convince a large market of tree climber's that it can do what a V.T. can. I can't get enough information from that video to convince me to buy one).

Is this just me?

 

[tophopper]

[ QUOTE ]

Is this just me?

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Nope.

I agree. I haven't seen it actually used "in production" to make me believe its all that. Only seen a quick up / down with it.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I'm hoping the Uni will be at the TCIA Expo. Maybe then, I can get a feel for it.

 

[tophopper]

Even so. Playing with it on the trade show floor, and working daily production with it are 2 different things. Id have to see it in action in production all day long to sell me on it.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

[ QUOTE ]
Even so. Playing with it on the trade show floor, and working daily production with it are 2 different things. Id have to see it in action in production all day long to sell me on it.

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True.

 

[Zac]

There should be a netflix for tree gear. Try before you buy type thing. I would love to try one for a week.

ALLTHOUGH, I can buy a lot of HRC for $450!

 

[bowlegs]

The uni is an amazing tool- single rope, double rope, it doesn't matter. I have been using it for 2 years. SRT is no big deal-ascend work the tree come on down without unhooking handled ascenders and backups. Using it double rope lets you extend it away from you so just a pull will let it tend slack without that let down that a friction hitch always gives you. I am 60 yr old and the Uni will let me climb till being up above all the mere mortals has lost that special feeling. I think Morgan has done real good.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

Way to go Bill! Thanks for your perspective. I'm on the fence with it, so your comments help too.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I'll be climbing at the Safety Technolgy booth. Granted, it will be at best a rope hanging from the ceiling.

I'm a Capricorn so I sure understand skepticism Needing solid proof goes along with that. There is plenty of positive feedback from the folks who've been using the Uni.

Johnnie, you should have taken the day to come up to Elk River last winter when I did the SRT workshop. You could have climbed all that you wanted to and given the Uni a fly.

I've done many SRT workshops. The folks who have used the Uni during the demo and stuck around to fly it have all been impressed with the performance. The catching point is the cost...yup, a chunk of change compared to what a hitch cord costs. But...the performance...well, you'll have to fly it to decide.

When The Tree Climbers Companion first was published I sold a few of them with this quaranty for the skeptics. If the book wasn't worth the cost, let me know, I would refund the money and you keep the book. No takers. Along comes Silky Zubat saws. I've told skeptics that I would buy their Zubats from them if they didn't feel that they were worth the money. No takers. Do I have enough confidence in the Unicender to consider the same concept? I could almost do that, but my finances aren't solid enough. I really don't think that it would be much of a gamble though

Be sure to look me up at the ST booth Johnnie and Jamin.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

I'll fly the Uni!

 

[treesandsurf]

I've also been interested in the Uni. We could setup a pot of dough here from buzzers then agree to send it around for everyone to try. Whoever wants it can buy it back from the rest.

jp

 

[tophopper]

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I'll fly the Uni!

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