Zig zag or spiderjack 3 ?

R

RANDY10

Now that a lot of the bugs have been worked out, I’m needing to make the switch. I only use ddrt for crane work and a quick up and down anymore, but it always has its place . My wrists and elbows are in a lot of pain after 21 years of beating them up , it’s time to make it as ergonomic as possible! I would love some input from people who have truly given both a good run ! Thanks
 
Haven't used either, but I would probably use the Spiderjack for your application, just seems mors ergonomic to me. The advantage of the Zigzag is the smaller size and you can throw it into an SRT system if you want to.
 
After using both I would recommend the spiderjack if its just crane work. It's fantastic just a little bulky but if you don't get close to the tie in point often the size wont be a problem.
 
I know that most people think of SRS when the Akimbo is mentioned, but it also works very well when used in MRS. Super fast on and off the rope and the wear points are robust enough to take fast, repeated descents.

For about the same price you will be getting a much more versatile tool.
 
You would have to connect your tail to the bridge with the akimbo, right?
If I wanted a dedicated DdRT mechanical device, I wouldn't want to do that.
 
I have a zigzag that I use for cranework 2-3 times a week. Being a heavier climber at 210 I was always having hitch binding issues which made pulling the the rope through difficult and a huge waste of energy. The zigzag has completely gotten rid of that problem. The action is very smooth for the entire climb.

Now I haven’t used the spiderjack but one thing I I’ve noticed about it is that it will require you use a completely different technique with your hand to decend where as the zigzag work just like hitch cord. This might not be a problem for some but there will be a bit of a learning curve with the spiderjack as opposed to the zigzag which has virtually zero learning curve.
 
DaveyJones said:
I have a zigzag that I use for cranework 2-3 times a week. Being a heavier climber at 210 I was always having hitch binding issues which made pulling the the rope through difficult and a huge waste of energy. The zigzag has completely gotten rid of that problem. The action is very smooth for the entire climb.

Now I haven’t used the spiderjack but one thing I I’ve noticed about it is that it will require you use a completely different technique with your hand to decend where as the zigzag work just like hitch cord. This might not be a problem for some but there will be a bit of a learning curve with the spiderjack as opposed to the zigzag which has virtually zero learning curve.
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Have run both, the spiderjack allows for more control in descent and tends smoother. The learning curve for the spiderjack is a couple climbs but if it is going to be a long term switch it shouldn't be a deterrent.
 
And that’s being fancy. Straight to the bridge ring works, too. I just like the spacing and lack of hardware jangling offered by the rook.
 
Sure, a rook would make the setup a little neater, I just wouldn't want the flop you get when pulling yourself up, as there is nothing holding the akimbo up. With a Zigzag of the SJ3, you connect straight to the device, holding it up when ascending.
 
Have you tried it? I used the gofundme version like this and it worked well. You make a good point, though, about superior ddrt function of the other devices. They will eat slack as you climb, which is a perk. The akimbo suggestion was made for the sake of versatility if someone is going to invest that much money in a mechanical, and it’s a great device to handle both. Simple, compact, easy to adjust, and good for both. Not as ritzy in ddrt, but just as functional as a hitch (method of operation) without burning the cord on long crane descents. If the goal was to be used in ddrt pruning or climbing removals, the others have advantages, but if the only ddrt it’s going to see is in crane work, those advantages aren’t necessary, while the ability to be used in srt, so the device that is priced similarly to the others is finding consistent application, may be more advantageous to the purchaser.
 
You can prussic a small bit of throwline or some other small cordage to the terminal end of your line and hook it into the tending point on the akimbo or bulldog bone and it tends beautifully. Just need to leave a little slack so the akimbo (or bulldog bone) can "set" when you weight it.
That being said still prefer a friction hitch for crane work, that way I can choke the spar and side loaded the hell out of it without worry. I just add a wrench above it if I want to descend on a single line.
 
I like the zigzag’s release better, It’s similar to hitch cord or the rope runner. The rolling the wrist, pushing thumb and squeezing of the spider jack 3 was less intuitive to me. It’s also less compact. It was smooth as silk and ate slack very well tho. I’d go with whichever is cheaper. And I’d bet there are some very good deals on the original zz because the zigzag 2 is coming out soon
Edit:The unicender is also Ddrt and srt with a hole specifically for Ddrt climbing. I use my uni, much more frequently than my zigzag. It’s also midline attachable, so you can pull the device off and descend on a figure8 out of the tree if you like and save some wear from those descents
 
I appreciate the input guys ! Let me add some details about this post .. I have used both devices, only not the sj3 . I had the original zigzag until it was recalled. I think I ran it for a month even though I thought it looked wimpy . I also had a sj2 but it was limited with its connection point for your spliced end . Nothing makes my tennis and golfers elbow hurt more than ddrt , but with self tending devices it’s a lot less . Unfortunately we never get to try anything before we spend our hard earned money so the buzz is where I go .. I have recently started to trust products like the zig zag again , but I’ve heard sj2 users say they hated the Sj3 ??
 
I got a zz a love it, if your old school and want something that seems stronger I would buy the new zz without the swivel. The swivel is very nice and all but it just looks like the weakest link of it. If you like a swivel action I would rather have a strong one on my bridge. But the zz is very nice and I like it. One thing to consider is that if you don't like what you bought you can sell it on here
 
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