8mm Oplux questions & uses

[Newhunter1]

I couldn’t find all my answers by searching & was gonna text @kyler1945 for a lot of the following questions but figured I’d put it out there for everyone so others could benefit as well

So I’ve been planning on using 9mm UltraTech or HTP for tether & LB along with Ropeman1 on each

Was leaning towards UltraTech in order to test out the multiple splice options available with it

I had seen some 8mm ropes used but didn’t want to use Ropeman 2’s

Now some sexy 8mm Oplux is strutting all around this place & DanO has it easily available

It’s strength & compactness is tantalizing

So some questions are:
-What have u used 8mm Oplux for? (tether,LB,srt,, rappel, stick rope mods, etc)

-Has anyone used a Ropeman2 with it & how does rope sheath hold up to R2 teeth?

-What other ascenders have u used with Oplux 8mm ? (I’d like easy adjustability on my tether & LB)

-I know prusiks are lighter & have been used, so what brands & sizes have worked good? (I’ve seen Beal Jammy 5.5 35cm mentioned by @kyler1945 )

-Is there a one-handed method for using a prusik ? ( I know this isn’t specific to this rope exclusively, just wondering)

-Has anyone had a splice put in it & if so, what type?

-Weight comparisons to tethers, LBs, or other uses of larger rope diameters?

-Is it stiff enough to use for LB without being floppy?

-Anything you want to add regarding 8mm Oplux?


**Thanks in advance if u had the patience to read all of this and answer anything **


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Lots of questions here...did not read all the answers but I will answer some or most of your questions as I have 52' of oplux as my main tether/rappeling rope and a short 10' section as my short tether that I use before I switch over to the long tether.

I had seen some 8mm ropes used but didn’t want to use Ropeman 2’s Personally I wouldn't use the ropeman 1or 2 as is out of spec. The kong duck in spec (I think) and the safeguard is as well. I use the safeguard and trust it completely.


-What other ascenders have u used with Oplux 8mm ? (I’d like easy adjustability on my tether & LB) I use the safeguard on my rappel rope (8mm oplux) as well as 4' of TRC 6mm rope that I buy from Dano. Turn it into an eye to eye friction hitch and tie into a scwabisch or distel hitch. Easy as pie.

-I know prusiks are lighter & have been used, so what brands & sizes have worked good? (I’ve seen Beal Jammy 5.5 35cm mentioned by @kyler1945 ) See answer above. Really is super easy.

-Has anyone had a splice put in it & if so, what type? I have not...just tied a figure 8 knot and it's minimal.

-Weight comparisons to tethers, LBs, or other uses of larger rope diameters? This really isn't a contest...the oplux is so much better in pack-ability, weight that is crazy. I had the Aero flex with the predator bridge (11 mm), the tethered tether and linemans rope (both 11mm) and could barely pack my bridge and linemans belt into my kifaru belt pouch. Now that I switched to oplux I can pack my bridge, tether and lineman's ropes all in one pouch with their respective carabiners and friction hitches.

-Is it stiff enough to use for LB without being floppy? Personally I would use the sterling 9mm rope that Dano sells. It is much more stiffer than the oplux and stays in place better. Using the oplux I have to really make sure it does not fall as i'm placing my sticks in place. Course since I only one stick up the tree the lineman's belt is a moot point. I just use the tether anyway, but I do have the lineman's belt in place in case I find the need for it.

-Anything you want to add regarding 8mm Oplux? Wish I would have just bought the oplux with the saddle...less expensive as i had to buy things to figure out what worked for me.

 

[Newhunter1]

Yeah. Figured. My madrock safeguard isnt rated for 8mm oplux either but it works. Was just wondering if anyone had tried it successfully. Ill end up with 10mill though.

I have what you have. I have one sticked most of this season and there isn't any need for you to replace your rope if you don't go higher than 28 feet. I have the petzl triangle that I hook up to my loop on top and tie a 30 foot 550 cord and store it in my predator pack until I am done hunting. send it down to the ground first and then start taking things down.

I have 52' of Oplux that is also sends my pack down, then I send my weapon down next and then whatever else I need to send down to the ground. Then I start my rapple down with the safeguard which is backed with an auto block...stop to take down my platform and put on my saddle...then rappel down to the ground after I grab my one stick. Once on the ground, I grab the 550 cord and back away from the tree until I come to the end of the 550 cord and give it a sharp tug...the rope comes straight down because of the triangle breaking the pressure on the rope.

 

[always89y]

Do you know how much was the sewn eye? And how much was it per foot?

Dont know for sure, but they quoted me about $138 for a 35ft rope and a 8ft rope with sewn eyes and shipping. MUCH more expensive than DanO's prices. I was not willing to pay extra for the sewn eyes, as I know the knot is minimal and am fine with it. Plus, if I want a sewn eye, I will just do it myself. How too's for everything is on the interwebs!

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

I have what you have. I have one sticked most of this season and there isn't any need for you to replace your rope if you don't go higher than 28 feet. I have the petzl triangle that I hook up to my loop on top and tie a 30 foot 550 cord and store it in my predator pack until I am done hunting. send it down to the ground first and then start taking things down.

I have 52' of Oplux that is also sends my pack down, then I send my weapon down next and then whatever else I need to send down to the ground. Then I start my rapple down with the safeguard which is backed with an auto block...stop to take down my platform and put on my saddle...then rappel down to the ground after I grab my one stick. Once on the ground, I grab the 550 cord and back away from the tree until I come to the end of the 550 cord and give it a sharp tug...the rope comes straight down because of the triangle breaking the pressure on the rope.

Thanks for this. These detailed responses really help me out. You bring to mind a question. I'm going to use a beal jammy as a back up friction knot to my safeguard. Do you hook that up while ascending? Do you just have to drag the prussic up the tether with you as you ascend? If you dont need it on the way up why do you need it on the way down?

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

Dont know for sure, but they quoted me about $138 for a 35ft rope and a 8ft rope with sewn eyes and shipping. MUCH more expensive than DanO's prices. I was not willing to pay extra for the sewn eyes, as I know the knot is minimal and am fine with it. Plus, if I want a sewn eye, I will just do it myself. How too's for everything is on the interwebs!

138?!! Wow! Loving Dano's prices and the figure 8 right now!

 

[Newhunter1]

Thanks for this. These detailed responses really help me out. You bring to mind a question. I'm going to use a beal jammy as a back up friction knot to my safeguard. Do you hook that up while ascending? Do you just have to drag the prussic up the tether with you as you ascend? If you dont need it on the way up why do you need it on the way down?

Great questions.

I have the short tether (10') that I use on my way up. The 52' is attached to my right side linemans loop to assist if going around a branch only. I use the petzl triangle to hook it to my loop that way I don't have to worry about a side load on my carabiner. Once at hunting height I then switch over to my long tether with the safeguard and auto block. I do not use the long tether to ascend as I usually one stick it up the tree.

Once to test it out, I left the 52' footer in the tree and used a ladder that was in place for my son. It was a HUGE pain in the keester to keep moving the safeguard and the autoblock that I just refuse to do it that way.

Honestly I do not think you need the autoblock on the way up or down. This is just an extra precaution for me to make sure I come home after hunting.

 

[weekender21]

Dont know for sure, but they quoted me about $138 for a 35ft rope and a 8ft rope with sewn eyes and shipping. MUCH more expensive than DanO's prices. I was not willing to pay extra for the sewn eyes, as I know the knot is minimal and am fine with it. Plus, if I want a sewn eye, I will just do it myself. How too's for everything is on the interwebs!

I had a quote of ~$125 for 50’ of OpLux with sewn eye. Still pretty steep. I’ve been happy with a figure eight on my HTP so I can’t see spending the extra money on my rappel rope.

However, I do have sewn eyes on my tether and LB OpLux.


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[CrackbottomLouis]

Great questions.

I have the short tether (10') that I use on my way up. The 52' is attached to my right side linemans loop to assist if going around a branch only. I use the petzl triangle to hook it to my loop that way I don't have to worry about a side load on my carabiner. Once at hunting height I then switch over to my long tether with the safeguard and auto block. I do not use the long tether to ascend as I usually one stick it up the tree.

Once to test it out, I left the 52' footer in the tree and used a ladder that was in place for my son. It was a HUGE pain in the keester to keep moving the safeguard and the autoblock that I just refuse to do it that way.

Honestly I do not think you need the autoblock on the way up or down. This is just an extra precaution for me to make sure I come home after hunting.

An extra tether as opposed to a linemans belt or do you carry one of those as well? And did you just buy another safeguard so you can take up tether slack or are you using a prussic/tender combo?

 

[Newhunter1]

An extra tether as opposed to a linemans belt or do you carry one of those as well? And did you just buy another safeguard so you can take up tether slack or are you using a prussic/tender combo?

I carry:
1. Short tether (10' so I can tie a figure 8 and have 8' min left over)
2. Lineman's belt--same as above.
3. Bridge that I cut down to 7' with a figure 8 knot.

Then I have the 52' rope of oplux for rappelling that I use in conjunction with the tether and lineman's belt. Basically overkill but I like to have back-ups. I only have one safeguard that is backed by the autoblock that stays on the rappel rope. If I need to connect that rappel rope to the tree I do so using the petzl triangle/safeguard and autoblock. Attach to tree, hook safeguard to bridge, put tension on bridge so it takes off tension on short tether and then disconnect short tether and move as needed.

 

[Prog27]

I didnt have a sewn eye and I was worried the figure 8 rope would take up a lot of footage but it didnt at all. I'd just get it from eastern outdoors with a quicker turn around and tie a quick figure 8 and you're off to the races. Not a bulky knot at all on oplux.

I agree. I ordered 12 ft from DanO. Out a figure 8 I’m it super strong no bulk!

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

I carry:
1. Short tether (10' so I can tie a figure 8 and have 8' min left over)
2. Lineman's belt--same as above.
3. Bridge that I cut down to 7' with a figure 8 knot.

Then I have the 52' rope of oplux for rappelling that I use in conjunction with the tether and lineman's belt. Basically overkill but I like to have back-ups. I only have one safeguard that is backed by the autoblock that stays on the rappel rope. If I need to connect that rappel rope to the tree I do so using the petzl triangle/safeguard and autoblock. Attach to tree, hook safeguard to bridge, put tension on bridge so it takes off tension on short tether and then disconnect short tether and move as needed.

So on the short climbing tether you use the figure 8 to girth hitch. Are you using a prussic/tender to lengthen and shorten your position on the short tether as you climb and reposition your stick?

 

[Newhunter1]

So on the tether you use the figure 8 to girth hitch. Are you using a prussic/tender to lengthen and shorten your position on the short tether as you climb and reposition your stick?

yes. On a tree with minimal to no branches then only the short tether with a 4’ friction hitch of TRC rope tied into a distel hitch.

 

[bowhuntr09]

yes. On a tree with minimal to no branches then only the short tether with a 4’ friction hitch of TRC rope tied into a distel hitch.

How are you sending all these different items down one piece of rope? The way you described it, it sounds like you are sending things down separately?

 

[Newhunter1]

How are you sending all these different items down one piece of rope? The way you described it, it sounds like you are sending things down separately?

I am. I use the long tether and put the tag end in the hanging loop of my pack...hold on to the tag end and slowly lower it with the other hand while still holding on to the tag end. Once on the ground I let go of the tag end and bring the entire rope back up and lower my weapon or whatever else I need to lower. I only do this if I don't want to use my doyles as I wont be able to bring it back up.

 

[bowhuntr09]

I am. I use the long tether and put the tag end in the hanging loop of my pack...hold on to the tag end and slowly lower it with the other hand while still holding on to the tag end. Once on the ground I let go of the tag end and bring the entire rope back up and lower my weapon or whatever else I need to lower. I only do this if I don't want to use my doyles as I wont be able to bring it back up.

Makes sense now and I see where that 52' comes into play. I was thinking maybe you were using a grapple hook or something.

 

[Newhunter1]

Makes sense now and I see where that 52' comes into play. I was thinking maybe you were using a grapple hook or something.

Yep...I got 52' feet because when I bought it the sellers only had a 16m section of rope and did not want to cut it. So I got it and make sure I use it for multiple uses. I have used the rope as a DdRT rope and as a SRT rope as well as my rappel rope. I use it as a tether, and if I have to as a linemans belt. Honestly whatever I want to use it as...as well as my short tether.

 

[Letemgrowitllshow]

Yep...I got 52' feet because when I bought it the sellers only had a 16m section of rope and did not want to cut it. So I got it and make sure I use it for multiple uses. I have used the rope as a DdRT rope and as a SRT rope as well as my rappel rope. I use it as a tether, and if I have to as a linemans belt. Honestly whatever I want to use it as...as well as my short tether.

How did it work using it for DdRT?

 

[Newhunter1]

How did it work using it for DdRT?

yes but harder on the hands than my 11mm predator rope.

 

[Letemgrowitllshow]

yes but harder on the hands than my 11mm predator rope.

Kinda the answer I thought you'd give. For a 25-30 foot climb is it something that is worth the weight savings? I've contemplated using 9mm HTP.

 

[Newhunter1]

Kinda the answer I thought you'd give. For a 25-30 foot climb is it something that is worth the weight savings? I've contemplated using 9mm HTP.

I personally do not care for the HTP. My reason is that during the early season I had my htp in a tight crock of the tree. While going down at 7 in the evening my rope got lodged in the crock and would not come out. I still had my stick on my saddle. I had to one stick up the tree to release the HTP rope and one stick down the tree in the dark. I kept calm but I did not care for that. That evening I went home and bought 52’ of oplux and the HTP has stayed I think the basement.

as far as weight savings. You’ll have to decide what you prefer. The 52 of oplux weighs just at a pound. Predator rope and 75 feet weigh 3 lbs appropriate.