• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Oplux and Canyon rope

B

Buckhorn70

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
1,007
I have been practicing my one sticking and it’s going well as I am shortening the learning curve. I do like the rappel but have a question for you rappellers about rope.....

I have a 40’ piece of Oplux 8.1 mm and Canyon 9mm. I am using a Safegaurd. I have practiced rappelling on both ropes in my back yard. I find the Oplux to bind more in the Safegaurd, not sure if this is happening because it’s smaller than the rope spec for the Safegaurd. The 9mm Canyon seems to flow a bit better/smoother thru the Safegaurd . The Oplux tends twist more than the Canyon as well.

The 40’ of Oplux weighs 1.25 lbs and the Canyon weighs 1.40 lbs, not much of a difference (with steel triangle coupler on the ropes) Oplux is more supple(may be why it twist more) than Canyon. Oplux packs up slightly smaller than Canyon.

How do you guys feel that have used both? Do you find the Canyon flows thru the Safeguard better? Do you see much of an advantage to use Oplux over Canyon with a Safegaurd? Thoughts?
 
I have used both, I prefer Oplux. Maybe because I have used it a lot more than Canyon. I think Oplux packs up significantly better. I can rappel just fine with either. It’s really just a matter of getting the muscle memory for how hard to pull the lever for each rope.
 
I went with Canyon C-IV. It’s within spec of the Safeguard, it weighs barely anymore than Oplux. Yes, it’s a little stiffer, but I like that for rappelling. I have no problem packing it down. It packs small. You can’t go wrong with either. If you wanna stay in spec of the Safeguard, you need 9mm.
 
KYRanger said:
I went with Canyon C-IV. It’s within spec of the Safeguard, it weighs barely anymore than Oplux. Yes, it’s a little stiffer, but I like that for rappelling. I have no problem packing it down. It packs small. You can’t go wrong with either. If you wanna stay in spec of the Safeguard, you need 9mm.
Click to expand...

X2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I currently use HTP, but am considering Canyon C-IV & Oplux. One thing that is appealing to me about the Canyon C-IV is that its specifically designed for wet conditions. Both ropes are built for abrasion resistance, but packing up wet, saturated rope can be a bad idea. A rope that doesn’t absorb water as well provides an element of safety and longevity that appeals to me.

While it may not be raining out, the tree and the ground are often either wet or damp. I hate to think about the potential of a rope starting to rot in its core.

Just something to think about for the conditions you hunt.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I think Canyon may make a better linesman belt as it is not as “supple” as Oplux. A rope that is a little stiff never hurts as a linesman belt.
Thoughts?
 
Buckhorn70 said:
I think Canyon may make a better linesman belt as it is not as “supple” as Oplux. A rope that is a little stiff never hurts as a linesman belt.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I agree, especially if it packs about as well. I like Oplux for the weight but sometimes it falls right down the tree as a linemans.
 
ShooterMike said:
I currently use HTP, but am considering Canyon C-IV & Oplux. One thing that is appealing to me about the Canyon C-IV is that its specifically designed for wet conditions. Both ropes are built for abrasion resistance, but packing up wet, saturated rope can be a bad idea. A rope that doesn’t absorb water as well provides an element of safety and longevity that appeals to me.

While it may not be raining out, the tree and the ground are often either wet or damp. I hate to think about the potential of a rope starting to rot in its core.

Just something to think about for the conditions you hunt.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Story from this weekend. I practiced all summer rappelling on Oplux in my Safeguard. I have previously stated that I wasn't completely comfortable with gripping the small diameter Oplux on rappel but its reduced bulk convinced me to continue to use it into hunting season. Come Friday morning . . . I've been hunting in a 40 degree driving rain for 4 hours. I call it a morning and decide its time to rappel. I attach my now soaked Oplux to the tree, engage the Safeguard and start my rappel. In it's soaked condition combined with my lessened grip due to cold, slightly less functional hands the rappel is a repetitive combination of free-fall and bounce once I let off the Safeguard handle until I get to the ground. It doesn't help I was almost 30 ft up where I was set up but needless to say I broke out the 11.4mm rope for the rest of the weekend. I really want to like the Oplux but am considering that maybe it's not the best choice for me in a Safeguard.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
Story from this weekend. I practiced all summer rappelling on Oplux in my Safeguard. I have previously stated that I wasn't completely comfortable with gripping the small diameter Oplux on rappel but its reduced bulk convinced me to continue to use it into hunting season. Come Friday morning . . . I've been hunting in a 40 degree driving rain for 4 hours. I call it a morning and decide its time to rappel. I attach my now soaked Oplux to the tree, engage the Safeguard and start my rappel. In it's soaked condition combined with my lessened grip due to cold, slightly less functional hands the rappel is a repetitive combination of free-fall and bounce once I let off the Safeguard handle until I get to the ground. It doesn't help I was almost 30 ft up where I was set up but needless to say I broke out the 11.4mm rope for the rest of the weekend. I really want to like the Oplux but am considering that maybe it's not the best choice for me in a Safeguard.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing. I can see your point. I‘m sure you know the Safeguard is not rated for 8mm, but I think a lot of people use it with Oplux. I’m using the Canyon which is 9mm. So far the Canyon has worked great. Even tonight while descending in some misty conditions, it was smooth.
 
boyne bowhunter said:
Story from this weekend. I practiced all summer rappelling on Oplux in my Safeguard. I have previously stated that I wasn't completely comfortable with gripping the small diameter Oplux on rappel but its reduced bulk convinced me to continue to use it into hunting season. Come Friday morning . . . I've been hunting in a 40 degree driving rain for 4 hours. I call it a morning and decide its time to rappel. I attach my now soaked Oplux to the tree, engage the Safeguard and start my rappel. In it's soaked condition combined with my lessened grip due to cold, slightly less functional hands the rappel is a repetitive combination of free-fall and bounce once I let off the Safeguard handle until I get to the ground. It doesn't help I was almost 30 ft up where I was set up but needless to say I broke out the 11.4mm rope for the rest of the weekend. I really want to like the Oplux but am considering that maybe it's not the best choice for me in a Safeguard.
Click to expand...
I do not do a true rappel (continuous descent) with the Safeguard and Oplux, but rather, I grab the tag end in my right hand as far as I can reach down, and hold it tight (or wrap it around my hand), not feed it, and control my move down (I choose not to use an autoblock backup) with the lever fully pulled by my left hand and stop when my right hand is up near the Safeguard. I then reposition my hand and make the next move. Full control that way and have not had any issues. I don't hunt in rain, but it would not change anything for me. I tried Canyon and couldn't stand it compared to Oplux for parking or rappelling, just too stiff and clunky.
 
Bwhana said:
I do not do a true rappel (continuous descent) with the Safeguard and Oplux, but rather, I grab the tag end in my right hand as far as I can reach down, and hold it tight (or wrap it around my hand), not feed it, and control my move down (I choose not to use an autoblock backup) with the lever fully pulled by my left hand and stop when my right hand is up near the Safeguard. I then reposition my hand and make the next move. Full control that way and have not had any issues. I don't hunt in rain, but it would not change anything for me. I tried Canyon and couldn't stand it compared to Oplux for parking or rappelling, just too stiff and clunky.
Click to expand...
Canyon Is definitely stiffer. I seem to like that for the rappel. Nice that we have so many options!
 
Bwhana said:
I do not do a true rappel (continuous descent) with the Safeguard and Oplux, but rather, I grab the tag end in my right hand as far as I can reach down, and hold it tight (or wrap it around my hand), not feed it, and control my move down (I choose not to use an autoblock backup) with the lever fully pulled by my left hand and stop when my right hand is up near the Safeguard. I then reposition my hand and make the next move. Full control that way and have not had any issues. I don't hunt in rain, but it would not change anything for me. I tried Canyon and couldn't stand it compared to Oplux for parking or rappelling, just too stiff and clunky.
Click to expand...
This is EXACTLY what I do too! Muuuuuch more control during descent.
 
After many practice rappels in my back yard.... I have found the Canyon to work just a bit better than Oplux on the rappel. Just a very small trade off in rope packing but not much.

I have also found using an auto-block on my linesman loop tied to my Rappel line is a great back up. Not that much trouble to hook up when it’s time to descend.

I like Oplux for my standard tree tether(when not rappelling). I do want to try Canyon for my linesman belt, because if it’s stiffness over Oplux.

Who sells Canyon with a sewn eye loop?
 
Buckhorn70 said:
After many practice rappels in my back yard.... I have found the Canyon to work just a bit better than Oplux on the rappel. Just a very small trade off in rope packing but not much.

I have also found using an auto-block on my linesman loop tied to my Rappel line is a great back up. Not that much trouble to hook up when it’s time to descend.

I like Oplux for my standard tree tether(when not rappelling). I do want to try Canyon for my linesman belt, because if it’s stiffness over Oplux.

Who sells Canyon with a sewn eye loop?
Click to expand...
Haven’t found anyone who sews the eye yet. Let us know if you do!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top