I picked up one of these a few years ago not long after they came out because I liked the idea behind them. In practice I have not found the extra friction to be very useful however. Mostly I just have found that this device provides a less smooth feed than compareable devices. It probably does catch falls a little easier but I've never noticed in the heat of the moment. One thing it is good for is rappelling on really skinny ropes in the rain. For small light climbers it might be beneficial. For everyone else either an ATC or a Reverso (for double rope work) would be a superior device.

Similar Products Used:

Reverso, ATC (and clones), Pyramid, Figure 8s, Gri-Gri, WC's VC, Munter Hitch.

Great all around device. Much better handeling of double ropes than standard ATC style devices. Very solid lockoff, smooth feed. For rappelling on ropes between 9.5 and 11mm you can switch the device around so that the notches are toward the anchors rather than your brake hand. (otherwise it has too much friction)

Similar Products Used:

HB sherrif, BD ATC, Petzl Reverso, WC VC, Trango Pyramid.

Nothing locks like a Jaws. I use it for everything (climbing and repel). My partner is a lot heavyer than me and this atc works great.

Similar Products Used:

Petzl Reverso

The Trango is the best belay divice I have ever used. If the climber is tired and needs a break its no problem to hold them there for a while. Its nice when your hands are tired because the jaws take a good bite of the rope I paid a little much for it but it is still very much worth the money.

Similar Products Used:

ATC Reverso

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It works great! I had a basic ATC before and since I am a light guy would have trouble lowering my friend that were usually 20 to 30 pound heavier. The rope would fly though the device and burn my hands, actually leaving black marks. Not that I''m a wimp but I would much rather tare my hands up wile I''m climbing. Also holding a climber while they rested was a hand wrenching annoyance. I tried a friends Wild Country Variable Controller but it just kept locking up. Then I tried the Jaws and have used it now for a month. It is amazing, it holds heavy climbers easily and lowers them extremely smooth, I think it only locked up on me once for a second. I have heard that it doesn''t work well for repelling because of the V-notch jaws. I have yet to repel so I don''t know. But if you''re a gym rat like me, or are lightweight and find yourself belaying bigger loads this is the best non-auto-locking belay device around

Similar Products Used:

ATC Wild country Variable Controller

Get it very good belay device for any condition promise you won’t be sorry a lot better then the ATC

Customer Service

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Similar Products Used:

BD ATC "Sucks the big wanker"
WC good