Why use a Zig zag SRT?

[Basswood]

Curious if there’s any reason why one would want to use a ZZ for SRT other than avoiding buying a new friction device? I haven’t climbed SRT yet, but every time I look at the setup required for the ZZ to be SRT compatible it just looks so big and bulky. It’s leaving me wishing I went with a device that is more interchangeable like an Akimbo or uniscender. Am I missing something?

 

[colb]

If you ascend srt then switch over to mrt, it can be the beez knees. If someone like me is transitioning from srt to occassional mrt, the akimbo does the same thing - functions slightly better as an srt device than as an mrt device. The main reason I would shy away from the srt configuration is that petzl ripped off Kevin Bingham's rope wrench invention to make their srt device-that-shall-not-be-named. You can use the rope wrench with the zigzag to get around that, but I just dropped petzl wholesale for the most part. Rope wrenches are pretty cheap.

 

[Basswood]

I'm not even sure what MRT is? Moving rope technology? Is that essentially double rope by a different term?

 

[JeffGu]

I do it because the device, overall, has a smoother release and feel to it and works on almost any rope within its recommended range (11.5 ~ 13.0 mm). It does lose some of its beautiful slack tending with the 1/2" ropes, but still tends better than some other devices, even on those.

I have other devices, and love them on the ropes they work well with. The ZigZag operates, with no adjustments, on the widest range of ropes. It is not midlline attachable, however. Like everything else with climbing, it comes down to what works best for you, and what is important to you.

They all are great, so it's a always a joy if you can get a chance to try them all out and decide what you like the best.

 

[JeffGu]

Moving rope technology? Is that essentially double rope by a different term?

Yes.

 

[Basswood]

I do it because the device, overall, has a smoother release and feel to it and works on almost any rope within its recommended range (11.5 ~ 13.0 mm). It does lose some of its beautiful slack tending with the 1/2" ropes, but still tends better than some other devices, even on those.

I have other devices, and love them on the ropes they work well with. The ZigZag operates, with no adjustments, on the widest range of ropes. It is not midlline attachable, however. Like everything else with climbing, it comes down to what works best for you, and what is important to you.

They all are great, so it's a always a joy if you can get a chance to try them all out and decide what you like the best.

Great points, I've definitely experienced the smoothness and awesome ability to self tend when I climb with my ZZ drt. So that resonates with me well, I love the device because of this. I kind of hate using my split tail or prussic because of how nice the ZZ is.

 

[JeffGu]

Easy to get spoiled with them. On the right rope, the Akimbo is sweet, too... and oh-so-nice midline attachable. Its compact size makes it easy to work with, and you can just clip to your harness and tote it around without worrying about it taking any damage. And on messy stuff... winter climbing, nasty pines or spruce... I still love the Rope Wrench.

Really, I can't fault any of the options out there. Some didn't resonate with me, but I can't say the fault lies with the devices, it was more that they didn't fit with what I want for how I like to work. That's going to be different for all of us. One man's princess is another man's pig.

 

[SeanRuel]

If you're going to, make sure you hook it up to an honest to goodness rope wrench!

 

[StaySafePNW]

My opinion is that the zig zag is nice when utilizing it for srs and mrs back and forth depending on the layout and technicalities of the tree you are working. My only gripe with the zig zag is that it can be a pain to un-latch the top caribiner from the device when progressing a MRS up higher and it eats the rope slack when doing so, especially when there’s a lot of rope underneath you. I use 11.7 rope I’m sure it’s not as bad with a larger diameter.

 

[moss]

My opinion is that the zig zag is nice when utilizing it for srs and mrs back and forth depending on the layout and technicalities of the tree you are working. My only gripe with the zig zag is that it can be a pain to un-latch the top caribiner from the device when progressing a MRS up higher and it eats the rope slack when doing so, especially when there’s a lot of rope underneath you. I use 11.7 rope I’m sure it’s not as bad with a larger diameter.

I have this problem frequently with a Rope Runner or Rope Wrench or just a hitch MRS up high in a big conifer, the weight of the tail just takes away any slack I want when I’m advancing the anchor. To solve I lanyard in, pull up the slack I want above the hitch or device and simply tie a directional slip knot above the hitch or device, then let the tail weight pull the slip knot down locked above the hitch or device. Now you won’t lose the slack you want to make your next move. Once everything is all set take the slip knot out and continue.
-AJ