Sterling 8mm OpLux vs. 9mm HTP

[weekender21]

I’ve been using Sterling 9mm HTP for SRT over the past 18 months. I’ve wanted a slightly longer rope for a while and my HTP was looking a little worn so I guess that’s all the excuse I needed to purchase 8mm OpLux. Below is a side-by-side comparison I thought might help someone.

Purchased length:

9mm HTP 40’
8mm OpLux 45’

Finished length (Figure eight on a bight and double overhand stopper):

9mm HTP 34.5’
8mm HTP 42’

Weight:

40’ 9mm HTP 1.6 pounds
45’ 8mm OpLux 1.3 pounds

Pictures:

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[Flee]

I had thought the oplux was close to half the weight. Guess not. Hard to tell but everyone says the bulk is much less with the oplux. Do you think so?

 

[Cthunter]

The oplux is softer so its easier to pack but the 9mm should soften up a little with use.

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[Aaronpaul14]

DanO now has the IV rope on his site. I picked that up for SRT to be in spec of the SafeGaurd. It’s a nice medium of the two for stiffness and packability. I have oplux for rappel and htp for my regular linesman and tether. I still like oplux the best though.

 

[tmattson]

With Oplux, rappel only when necessary (say I dropped my LWHW, etc) what figure 8 works best?

 

[Aaronpaul14]

With Oplux, rappel only when necessary (say I dropped my LWHW, etc) what figure 8 works best?

I like grivel 2x8 that DanO sells.

 

[weekender21]

I had thought the oplux was close to half the weight. Guess not. Hard to tell but everyone says the bulk is much less with the oplux. Do you think so?

This isn't an apples to apples comparison, 40' of HTP vs. 45' of OpLux. The OpLux is less bulky, even with the additional 5'.

 

[weekender21]

I like grivel 2x8 that DanO sells.

I bought the grivel 2x8 as well. I prefer the an ATC but figure eights are simple as well.

 

[tmattson]

Whats the dimensions on that figure 8? 2X8 inches?

 

[DanO]

Whats the dimensions on that figure 8? 2X8 inches?

I had one laying around - roughly 4" x 2.75".

 

[Wirrex]

I’m so excited to get my oplux. I should get it Monday. I’m expecting ~40’ to pack smaller than my 10’ of 11mm tether/lineman’s.

 

[CZMark]

The oplux is softer so its easier to pack but the 9mm should soften up a little with use.

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Surprisingly, the HTP never really loses its stiffness.

 

[weekender21]

Pictured is 45’ of OpLux. I couldn’t do this with 40’ of HTP, OpLux definitely packs better.

Figure eight on a bight with double overhand below for anyone wondering what that looked like.

The 2x8 is very small. It provides more than enough friction to run a hollowblock below and stop completely (hollowblock tied as an autoblock in the French Prusik configuration).

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[weekender21]

Thanks to @DanO for the fast shipping to Hawaii again!


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[Wirrex]

Pictured is 45’ of OpLux. I couldn’t do this with 40’ of HTP, OpLux definitely packs better.

Figure eight on a bight with double overhand below for anyone wondering what that looked like.

The 2x8 is very small. It provides more than enough friction to run a hollowblock below and stop completely (hollowblock tied as an autoblock in the French Prusik configuration).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That setup looks perfect! I will be trying out my old sterling ats as soon as I get my oplux.