Rope question.

[hidenorhair]

I currently have predator Samson for my lineman's and tether rope. Am thinking about going to a 9 or 8 mm rope for these. What r the pros and cons? Thanks.

 

[gcr0003]

I currently have predator Samson for my lineman's and tether rope. Am thinking about going to a 9 or 8 mm rope for these. What r the pros and cons? Thanks.

Pro less bulk
Con harder to grip

I use to take my weight off with my one hand and adjust my height with the other so if you do this or get in another scenario where you’re trying to pull yourself with just your grip strength you’re gonna struggle unless you wrap it around your hand a few times. I like being able to just grab the rope and adjust. The predator is thick enough to allow me to do this no problem,

8mm may take a second to get comfortable with. I know my 8mm is rated to 6000 lbs but it doesn’t look it when you’re 30 ft up lol. Once you get passed that 8mm really is nice and packable. If you’re using 8mm rope then you’re likely using 5.5 or 6mm cord and that’s a little sketch too even though everything is rated well above what is needed.

 

[gcr0003]

That said I used a predator tether and an 8mm lineman’s belt most of the season. Don’t be scared to mix and match with what works.

 

[bfriendly]

I just ordered the resctech in 8 mm for rappelling and plan to use some of my canyon elite for a tether. When one sticking It seems easier to move a dedicated tether up the tree than the end of my rappel rope….not sure why. I’ve been hanging and rappelling by the canyon elite and see no reason not to use it for my dedicated tether as I totally trust it. I also love tying knots with it! I hope I like the resctech as much and I think I will. I’ve been using a belay to rappel but just ordered a small figure 8 and want to try that too.

 

[pesqimon]

I run 8mm resc tech for tether and 9mm htp for linesmans because I like the thickness and stiffness of the htp for linesmans. Friction hitch on both for adjustments. Works better for me than mechanical devices.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

You’re going to get so many answers saying 9mm or 8mm tactical ropes. My question is this, are you looking to be able to pack down even smaller? That is the only advantage to going to small canyon or tactical ropes. 11mm is larger and easier to handle. It’s usually stiffer (which makes a better linesman rope). And it’s a great camo pattern specifically designed for tree climbing. Personally I would stay with the predator rope but if space is that much of a concern there are some smaller tactical ropes that roll up smaller. But remember that also means smaller prusik cords or a different mechanical ascender than the “normal” ropeman 1 that so many are using.

 

[pesqimon]

You’re going to get so many answers saying 9mm or 8mm tactical ropes. My question is this, are you looking to be able to pack down even smaller? That is the only advantage to going to small canyon or tactical ropes. 11mm is larger and easier to handle. It’s usually stiffer (which makes a better linesman rope). And it’s a great camo pattern specifically designed for tree climbing. Personally I would stay with the predator rope but if space is that much of a concern there are some smaller tactical ropes that roll up smaller. But remember that also means smaller prusik cords or a different mechanical ascender than the “normal” ropeman 1 that so many are using.

Yes good point! I should have mentioned that that is why I went with the 8mm tether: packs down to nothing. The thicker stuff is better for linesmans, I think. So if packing is not a priority or handling the rope a lot, bigger is better.

 

[bfriendly]

My 11mm rope tether is a bear to pack down being just an 8’ length with a mechanical and carabiner and prussik attached. Just got the resc tech and I’ll pack the entire 35’ as my rappel rope. Can’t wait to replace he 11mm Amazon rope with the canyon elite. Looks like the rain is gonna keep me outta the woods for a few days anywho. I’ve used the ropeman 1 with the elite(9mm) and have no problems but I like that hawk mechanical device. Don’t know what it’s called, but I really like this design.

 

[csmwhjones]

My 11mm rope tether is a bear to pack down being just an 8’ length with a mechanical and carabiner and prussik attached. Just got the resc tech and I’ll pack the entire 35’ as my rappel rope. Can’t wait to replace he 11mm Amazon rope with the canyon elite. Looks like the rain is gonna keep me outta the woods for a few days anywho. I’ve used the ropeman 1 with the elite(9mm) and have no problems but I like that hawk mechanical device. Don’t know what it’s called, but I really like this design.
View attachment 59569

Glad to see another hunter with America's Rifle hanging on a tree. Saddle hunting with that rifle seems natural, 34 years Infantry also helps.

 

[SHF Hunter]

I run 8mm resc tech for tether and 9mm htp for linesmans because I like the thickness and stiffness of the htp for linesmans. Friction hitch on both for adjustments. Works better for me than mechanical devices.

Same setup here.

 

[bfriendly]

Glad to see another hunter with America's Rifle hanging on a tree. Saddle hunting with that rifle seems natural, 34 years Infantry also helps.

I never served but am thankful as hades that you did! God bless you brother and thank you for your service! We wouldn’t be doing this fun freedom stuff without you! And I do agree, it IS AMERICAS RIFLE!

 

[TooheyBirdie]

You’re going to get so many answers saying 9mm or 8mm tactical ropes. My question is this, are you looking to be able to pack down even smaller? That is the only advantage to going to small canyon or tactical ropes. 11mm is larger and easier to handle. It’s usually stiffer (which makes a better linesman rope). And it’s a great camo pattern specifically designed for tree climbing. Personally I would stay with the predator rope but if space is that much of a concern there are some smaller tactical ropes that roll up smaller. But remember that also means smaller prusik cords or a different mechanical ascender than the “normal” ropeman 1 that so many are using.

I'd argue that an additional advantage to a smaller diameter tactical rope is if you use friction hitches as opposed to a device like a rope man. When I had 11mm predator, it was a real bear to adjust my prussic even with a tender... the smaller diameter, stiffer rope allows just allows the friction hitch to release a little easier in my experience.

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

I'd argue that an additional advantage to a smaller diameter tactical rope is if you use friction hitches as opposed to a device like a rope man. When I had 11mm predator, it was a real bear to adjust my prussic even with a tender... the smaller diameter, stiffer rope allows just allows the friction hitch to release a little easier in my experience.

Oplux and rescue tech are not stiffer than predator rope though. The canyon and HTP are. Prusiks as a whole tend to bind when weighted there are better friction hitches. Also what size prusik cord were you using with your predator? If it wasn’t at least 8mm or larger, that could have also contributed to the problems getting it to slide.

 

[TooheyBirdie]

Oplux and rescue tech are not stiffer than predator rope though. The canyon and HTP are. Prusiks as a whole tend to bind when weighted there are better friction hitches. Also what size prusik cord were you using with your predator? If it wasn’t at least 8mm or larger, that could have also contributed to the problems getting it to slide.

I think it was 9 or 10mm...whatever prussic comes with the tethrd stuff... and yeah.. I now use canyon elite with a 6mm trc prussic so I guess that's a stiffer rope then... either way... really prefer that to the softer predator rope

 

[MNFarmHunter]

I've somewhat gone full circle but but run a 10' length of Sterling C-IV for my tether with a finished length under 8' when you account for knots. Initially, I ran a sewn eye Oplux tether which was great being soft and very small when packed. However, after a few months of climbing practice and hunting, the stitching protector started to break down which concerned me. Now, my C-IV simply has a figure-8 tied and uses a castration band to hold it tight once girth hitched.

Being frugal (aka: cheap a$$) and having spare odds-n-ends rope laying around, it's far cheaper to simply repurpose those as opposed to buying a newly built tether.