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New from Hawai'i

A

autonamic

New Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2019
Messages
6
After over a weeks of reading and lurking the site I'm ready to order a saddle and sticks. I've decided on the Kestrel Flex size 1 with the adjustable rope bridge. Im 6'0 , 175lbs, 32" waist for reference. I was going to just order the kit but I think I want hand spliced loops for both my linemans and tree strap? I've priced out below

Flex kit - $385

vs

Flex alone - $270
20' of predator rope from wesspur with 5" hand splice on one end and 2" hand splice on the other - $84 shipped
3 black diamond carabiners - $32
2 ropeman 1's - $100

Total - $486

Advantages I see of ordering the kit are
1. Ease of getting everything you need in one
2. You basically are getting a free backband
3. Threaded sleeve on linemans rope
4. Less expensive out of the gate

Advantages of separate order
1. Hand spliced eyes
2. More preferable carabiners (only according to others reviews) + one extra carabiner
3. ropeman 1's from the get go

(Climbing method will be hawk helium sticks and looking at the predator for a platform.)

Are hand spliced eyes and ropeman 1's something I will most likely want in the future? Is a backband something that a new user should have in the beginning? I'm a buy once cry once type. Am I missing anything?

Mahalo for reading
 
Aloha!

I was in Maui last February and really wished I had brought my saddle and bow. Beautiful place. Loved the spicy pineapple shrimp on the north shore!

Sounds like you have it basically mapped out. Comes down to personal preference on some of your questions. I didn't like the backband, but others do. I use a RM1 on my LB, but not me tether. Lots of opinions on that one. I just don't need to change my tether enough to justify the expense or risk of the mechanical ascender. Spliced eyes are nice and reduce bulk, but more expensive and not necessary. I've never used the LB with a sleeve but I've read here that it is not necessary and can be annoying. I've never felt the need for one on my LB.

I'm sure others will chime in with exact opposite opinions. Half the "fun" of this is experimenting and seeing what works for you.

Enjoy the journey!

Mahalo
 
Aloha!

Spent a bunch of time in Kauai last year. Beautiful country!

If I had it to do again from the beginning, I'd go with just the saddle from Aero and get all your ropes from @DanO cause you WILL eventually get the urge for thinner/lighter. While you're at EWO, pick up some biners, two mini Kongs and some Jammys and save yourself ~$50.
 
Welcome from SC! Looks like you have a pretty good start on equipment. The ropeman is nice but I'm currently only using on my LB because I adjust that one more frequently. On my teather I'm rocking a prussik with a tender, still easy to adjust one handed just not as smooth as the ropeman. As for the backband... I like it for longer sits but its really not a "must have".
 
Welcome from Maryland! Sounds like you have a good handle on it, I’d probably split up based on your assessment ( but I would get a back band)
 
Thank you guys for commenting. Super helpful!


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