![]() ![]() The GriGri+ is the 4th iteration of the device that pretty much started it all when it comes to mechanical belay and assisted braking. But fast forward a few years with the explosion of new climbers hitting the gyms and crags via the lockdowns of 2020 and it almost seems like Petzl could see the future. Petzl had just overhauled their flagship GriGri 2 with the GriGri (yes it is as confusing to keep track of as you might think) which we’ll get to in a bit, and folks weren’t all that impressed with the added features and weight that the GriGri+ brought to the table. The Petzl GriGri+ hit the market back in 2017 to some pretty mixed opinions from climbers. Petzl GriGri+ – #3 Most Wanted Mechanical Belay Device We think these reasons at the very least will keep the Revo on many a wish list, including #2 on ours. Many who have spent the time getting used to its nuances swear they’ll never go back to other assisted devices, regardless of the weight and the price tag (245g and $144.95 at the time of writing). It certainly performs as it is designed and is pretty impossible to fool, no matter what level of experience you have. Is the Revo actually the safest mechanical belay device out there like Wild Country claim? Perhaps. But when catching repeated falls and a bit of hang-dogging are on the menu, many find themselves returning to mechanical devices that can more easily be ‘overridden’ for the sake of taking and giving slack at will. Most users of tube belay devices find it to feel like a wheel assisted tuber, feeding rope with ease. The central wheel that grabs the rope (as it moves over 4m/sec) functions smoothly, but once it grabs there’s a new bit of push/pull movement required to disengage the brake and let it spin freely again. When it comes to practical use the Revo seems to take a bit more getting used to than it might sound. With a super cheap price point (just below $90) you’ve got a pretty unique and competitive device to top many wishlists, at least among our users. For those who are looking to expand their capability to say learn how to photograph their friends on rope, or to get more efficient at hauling a bucket of climbing holds at the gym, or as part of a rope soloing setup, a specialty piece of gear can look a lot more enticing. Most climbers these days already have a mechanical or brake-assisted belay device that plays a regular role in their day to day climbing activities. We think a big part of the Safeguard being at the top of the Most Wanted list has to do with its specialized design. Mad Rock makes a spring-assisted version of the Safeguard called the Lifeguard that is better suited as a belay device which currently sits at #7 on the Most Wanted list. This means belaying a lead climber with it would be a difficult time, but it makes it well suited as a progress capture device in rigging, route setting, and rescue, which is what the Safeguard is built for. Because it lacks a spring to keep the cam open for the rope to back feed the Safeguard is always trying to grab the rope whenever it moves. Though it still passes the UIAA certification to function as a belay device, the Mad Rock Safeguard is not actually recommended to be used as a belay device. Below we dive into why these are the most wanted and owned mechanical belay devices from WeighMyRack users. ![]()
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