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Grigri vs Madrock Safeguard

if you add an ascending device ($40-$65 for either a kong duck or ropeman) an atc ($15-20) and 2 carabiners (figure $10 a piece) at minimum for what you need, your already running the near same price range for a single device that can do it all, with much less weight. just my train of thought on it.

once you get used to it, i find rappelling with the safeguard just as smooth and easy as using an atc with autoblock
 
i can fit all 30ft of my oplux, with the safeguard and biner with a spare biner and accessory prusik into one DanO pouch, leaving my other hip pouch open for personal items like my phone and a snack or whatever in the other
 
Jay_Disarray said:
if you add an ascending device ($40-$65 for either a kong duck or ropeman) an atc ($15-20) and 2 carabiners (figure $10 a piece) at minimum for what you need, your already running the near same price range for a single device that can do it all, with much less weight. just my train of thought on it.

once you get used to it, i find rappelling with the safeguard just as smooth and easy as using an atc with autoblock
Click to expand...

I have pretty much all of that already (except for the safeguard of course). All of that does work pretty well, although I do need to practice more with it to really feel super comfortable. Wish I was able to try one before buying and see if it makes that big of a difference.


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i rappelled with the atc before i bought my safeguard, and i wouldnt go back now, it does take a bit to learn to rappel smoothly with it
 
Jay_Disarray said:
i rappelled with the atc before i bought my safeguard, and i wouldnt go back now, it does take a bit to learn to rappel smoothly with it
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So once you got good at it, you think there’s an appreciable difference with it and the ATC? Or is it because it’s 1 device instead of several pieces to make up the system?


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the smoothness rappel is pretty comparable, i like the use of the lever instead of squeezing a prusik, as well as the single device.
 
Jay_Disarray said:
the smoothness rappel is pretty comparable, i like the use of the lever instead of squeezing a prusik, as well as the single device.
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Gotcha. Yeah that’s what interests me most is controlling with the lever instead of the prusik. Maybe this is a common thing already but truthfully I could see myself still leaving the prusik in the system when using the safeguard just for a second safety measure. Although maybe that wouldn’t work with the way the safeguard works. Just thinking out loud.


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Westdesign03 said:
I could see myself still leaving the prusik in the system when using the safeguard just for a second safety measure. Although maybe that wouldn’t work with the way the safeguard works.
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I have messed with that a bit, and have tied in the prusik above the safeguard, using the safeguard as a prusik tender. It does work, but the prusik cord doesnt really stay tight when you move, because the safeguard catches before the rope before the prusik does.

I do tie a prusik above my safeguard, and clipped it into my carabiner, and pulled both taut while at height though.


i should also mention that the safeguard is not recommended for use with the oplux, since the oplux is 8mm rope, and the safeguard is rated for a larger rope, this is a risk i have accepted in using both
 
Westdesign03 said:
If you were considering buying either the safeguard or the birdie both at full price, which one would you go with? I know you said the birdie is a little heavier, but wouldn’t mind saving some $ if I can. But if there’s a noticeable benefit to the safeguard, I’ll just suck it up and go with that one. I want whichever is safest and easiest/smoothest to operate.


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I just checked the Birdie at $75 and the Safeguard at $79 (Edit corrected: $89), the last time I looked on doublestep.com. The site seems to be down right now. I would buy the Safeguard. The spring popping the device open on the other devices is a little disconcerting for the first 5 minutes until you realize it will hold. The Safeguard is the best solution to descending 40 feet and holding at height. These are really mini rappels so heating or other aspects are less important. If we were descending 200 feet it might not be the best choice.
It was mentioned that your ATC with autoblock would be the best choice if you are only descending thus saving money. I agree but I climb SRT so the belay device is needed. I tried the ATC in guide mode to climb SRT/RADS and had trouble. If I was only rappelling I think an ATC with autoblock would work great. It is always a cost/benfit analysis.
 
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CZMark said:
Yes. Even when I bring my Safeguard for SRT, I bring an ATC as backup.
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Makes total sense. I would be doing the same thing if I get a device. Would still keep the ATC with me just in case. That’s another thing about this too, I feel like 2 options to repel is better than 1, just in case if nothing else.


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bj139 said:
I just checked the Birdie at $75 and the Safeguard at $79, the last time I looked on doublestep.com. The site seems to be down right now. I would buy the Safeguard. The spring popping the device open on the other devices is a little disconcerting for the first 5 minutes until you realize it will hold. The Safeguard is the best solution to descending 40 feet and holding at height. These are really mini rappels so heating or other aspects are less important. If we were descending 200 feet it might not be the best choice.
It was mentioned that your ATC with autoblock would be the best choice if you are only descending thus saving money. I agree but I climb SRT so the belay device is needed. I tried the ATC in guide mode to climb SRT/RADS and had trouble. If I was only rappelling I think an ATC with autoblock would work great. It is always a cost/benfit analysis.
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Thanks for the info. All makes sense to me. I don’t do SRT and kind of doubt I ever will, but won’t ever say never. Yeah I don’t see an ATC being very good for ascending. Hmm decisions decisions.


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Westdesign03 said:
Makes total sense. I would be doing the same thing if I get a device. Would still keep the ATC with me just in case. That’s another thing about this too, I feel like 2 options to repel is better than 1, just in case if nothing else.


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Click to expand...
@boyne bowhunter had the handle break off a Safeguard. It stayed locked so he was safely hanging but had to figure out how to get down. He posted about it on SH. The ATC could be a backup if that happens.
 
bj139 said:
@boyne bowhunter had the handle break off a Safeguard. It stayed locked so he was safely hanging but had to figure out how to get down. He posted about it on SH. The ATC could be a backup if that happens.
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Woa that’s kind of scary. Good thing it was closed though. Would be a heck of a rope burn on the hands I would think. Yeah would definitely keep it as a backup.


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There are other ways to rappel in an emergency, especially with the shorter distance that we would rappel down.

There is a way you can use a carabiner as an atc, wrapping the rope around it to create the bend in the rope.

You can use your prusik (which I always keep on me) and wrap the rope in your feet, essentially making a foot loop, to rappel as well.

I'd recommend doing your research and attempting it at a safe location, familiarize yourself with it so if you need to you have an extra tool in your figurative belt
 
Jay_Disarray said:
There are other ways to rappel in an emergency, especially with the shorter distance that we would rappel down.

There is a way you can use a carabiner as an atc, wrapping the rope around it to create the bend in the rope.

You can use your prusik (which I always keep on me) and wrap the rope in your feet, essentially making a foot loop, to rappel as well.

I'd recommend doing your research and attempting it at a safe location, familiarize yourself with it so if you need to you have an extra tool in your figurative belt
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good idea. I’ll look into it.


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