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Descenders - Help me choose please.

M

Mallardsx2

New Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2019
Messages
12
Mad Rock or Sterline F4?

I have narrowed it down to these two.

If you had to choose one or the other which one would you choose and why?

Thanks.
 
The f4 having to thread through is for sure a limiting factor. I just like how simple it is.
 
I am using an ATC with a Michoacán or schwabish below for a brake when 1 sticking. It works great, but I just got a gri gri+ for SRT so I’ll come down on that…..with a hitch below it.
 
I considered them both, but purchased the safeguard about a month ago, and have used it now on several hunts. I really like the simplicity of the safeguard, and the fact that it has no spring like the Grigri. I did not like how the F4 had to be threaded, and I was concerned that the lever might accidentally get depressed as my tether wrapped around the tree if I was walking all the way around a tree for a weak side shot. Probably a slim chance of that happening, but I’m very happy with my Safeguard just the same.
 
69D3D8ED-BD40-40AA-AFB6-61A92FFE8B10.jpegD55810AE-E073-494A-9B61-FED271A2FA65.jpeg
This is my Madsafe GriRock+ F8 tied into a Sticht hitch made out of Bluewater cord. Cost me about $20-25 total and it can be used to ascend and descend. Toss a bight through the F8, clip a carabiner in, and have fun.

I am very intrigued by the F4 and I think the safeguard is tried and true but meh…I dig the old-school simplicity of cords and non-mechanicals.
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
View attachment 96385View attachment 96386
This is my Madsafe GriRock+ F8 tied into a Sticht hitch made out of Bluewater cord. Cost me about $20-25 total and it can be used to ascend and descend. Toss a bight through the F8, clip a carabiner in, and have fun.

I am very intrigued by the F4 and I think the safeguard is tried and true but meh…I dig the old-school simplicity of cords and non-mechanicals.
Click to expand...

is this effectively the same as a longhorn agile above a figure 8 except yours is all one connected unit? The rappel rope goes through the f8 like normal, but the f8 always stays connected to the hitch.

thanks
rick
 
casts_by_fly said:
is this effectively the same as a longhorn agile above a figure 8 except yours is all one connected unit? The rappel rope goes through the f8 like normal, but the f8 always stays connected to the hitch.

thanks
rick
Click to expand...
Correct. You could do this with a LH Agile instead of a Sticht, but I haven’t.
 
casts_by_fly said:
What’s the benefit of hooking them together? It’s still a figure 8, hitch, and beaner So same number and type of parts.
Click to expand...
F8 and Biner don’t cling too much
Never drop my F8 (I have a spare anyway)
Backup IS my rappel. I control rappel with hitch, F8 keeps self-tending smooth while eliminating the need to double wrap or cinch my rope on F8 to remove platform like you would if they were separate.
In other words, same number of devices but fewer fiddles in rappel. Just pushing the hitch and leading the brake to descend, letting go to stop and work while suspended. Poor Man’s Madrock.
 
Last edited:
Mallardsx2 said:
Mad Rock or Sterline F4?

I have narrowed it down to these two.

If you had to choose one or the other which one would you choose and why?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Safeguard. Simple, effective and can be put on or taken off the rope with ease. Never had a problem with the Safeguard. Although the F4 is a nice device, I would hate to have to thread the rope through it. There are times when you want to put on your rappel device and the other end of the rope may be 30 feet away at the bottom of a tree, or coiled in your pack. Be aware, the Safeguard spec calls for a minimum of 9mm rope. So if you plan to use 8mm, I wouldn't recommend the Safeguard.

As mentioned, there are many other options for rappel like Figure 8s, ATCs, hitches and carabiners, etc. These are good and tried rappelling options, but IMO, for someone new to rappel in this application, I think the Safeguard is simple and easy learn and use safely. Once you gain more confidence you may wish to learn other devices and techniques. Not that these are difficult techniques to learn, but if you are not familiar with rappelling and belaying terms, devices, hitches, knots, etc. it can be a bit intimidating and confusing. I have become comfortable with the figure 8, which I now use due to compatibility with 8mm rope and it is a simple device. I still have and use my Safeguard. Good luck.
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
F8 and Biner don’t cling too much
Never drop my F8 (I have a spare anyway)
Backup IS my rappel. I control rappel with hitch, F8 keeps self-tending smooth while eliminating the need to double wrap or cinch my rope on F8 to remove platform like you would if they were separate.
In other words, same number of devices but fewer fiddles in rappel. Just pushing the hitch and leading the brake to descend, letting go to stop and work while suspended. Poor Man’s Madrock.
Click to expand...

I think I'm doing basically the same thing with my setup. I have the longhorn agile above and use that as my hanging hitch in the tree. I climb on my rappel rope also. The F8 and beaner are in my pouch while I climb (on a separate beaner). When I get to height, I put the F8 into the rappel rope but lower and out of the way so that its hooked up in daylight. My F8 is tape wrapped. On rappel I use the hitch for some friction and the F8 for some. When I pull a platform or step i let go of the hitch and it bites. To start again I grab the hitch and we're off.

Do you hang from the F8 in the tree as you have it tied above and then wrap around it for rappel?
 
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