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Why do so many choose the madrock over the GriGri+??

25ftup

25ftup

Active Member
SH Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2019
Messages
159
my question is basically as the title states. I have been using the grigri+ for 6-7 months now and have no complaints or issues. I have used it on 10.5 mm rope and currently using it on 9mm canyon elite. Over countless practice climbs and rappels and small limb cutting uses it has never slipped on me. I back it up at hunting height with a prussik, or sometimes a simple “friction knot” (not sure of the name a bight of rope pulled though the carabiner twisted and looped over the GriGri). Even the “panic brake” has never slipped when testing it.

I also tried an atc guide and figure 8 for a while but liked the GriGri better in the end.

Everyone I see on here and YouTube recommends the madrock. Is there something I’m missing out on? I know the madrock is quite a bit smaller.
 
Only reason I have a madrock is because I got a good deal haha if there was a deal on any other top end device first then that would be in my pack. I was tried and true to a figure 8 but got sick of switching over at height. So be it I have no comparison to anything else I will say that my madrock lives up to every thing you have to say about your gri gri and that’s on 8mm rescue tech
 
Im a big fella and an ascender/descender novice so I went with the f4. Maybe I’m the fool for not going with the grigri+?!


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A couple reasons. I found with my grigri there was a slight click/snap when I would shift and take weight off it. Got busted once that way. Also found that going from leaning to sitting it would slack for a split second before catching. Dunno if that’s intentional but it was enough for me to not trust it and if you don’t completely your gear it’s gotta go.
The Madrock doesn’t do any of that in my case. It is a bit jerkier when descending especially if you use a smaller diameter line like oplux. A smoother descent can be obtained by using a larger diameter(in spec) line such as 10mm. For me in the case of the safeguard I can set it and forget it.
 
Exhumis said:
A couple reasons. I found with my grigri there was a slight click/snap when I would shift and take weight off it. Got busted once that way. Also found that going from leaning to sitting it would slack for a split second before catching. Dunno if that’s intentional but it was enough for me to not trust it and if you don’t completely your gear it’s gotta go.
The Madrock doesn’t do any of that in my case. It is a bit jerkier when descending especially if you use a smaller diameter line like oplux. A smoother descent can be obtained by using a larger diameter(in spec) line such as 10mm. For me in the case of the safeguard I can set it and forget it.
Click to expand...

Was that the Grigri or Grigri+. The Grigri+ in top rope mode has no spring tension to it, just like the Madrock

The safety fetuses of the Grigri+ are unmatched by the Madrock, in my opinion, and it’s smoother on descent.


Semper Fi,
Mike
 
Exhumis said:
A couple reasons. I found with my grigri there was a slight click/snap when I would shift and take weight off it. Got busted once that way. Also found that going from leaning to sitting it would slack for a split second before catching. Dunno if that’s intentional but it was enough for me to not trust it and if you don’t completely your gear it’s gotta go.
The Madrock doesn’t do any of that in my case. It is a bit jerkier when descending especially if you use a smaller diameter line like oplux. A smoother descent can be obtained by using a larger diameter(in spec) line such as 10mm. For me in the case of the safeguard I can set it and forget it.
Click to expand...
Very interesting. I will keep that in mind when using it while hunting. Not so much worried about the slack as I back it up, but I’ll definitely be listening for any metal noises/clicking while moving around when hunting. Thanks for the input.
 
ShooterMike said:
Was that the Grigri or Grigri+. The Grigri+ in top rope mode has no spring tension to it, just like the Madrock

The safety fetuses of the Grigri+ are unmatched by the Madrock, in my opinion, and it’s smoother on descent.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Click to expand...
Would also be curious in this as I have let off slack and sat back into without any slipping. But I also back mine up while hanging for a while, but even on short practice stints going from slack to tension I haven’t noticed this issue.
 
GriGri + for me as well. I bought a Madrock to “see what I was missing”, I’d sell it in a New York minute if anyone wants it! LOL

I prefer my GriGri + Just a personal preference.

Either way, be safe and live to hunt another day!!
 
ShooterMike said:
Was that the Grigri or Grigri+. The Grigri+ in top rope mode has no spring tension to it, just like the Madrock

The safety fetuses of the Grigri+ are unmatched by the Madrock, in my opinion, and it’s smoother on descent.


Semper Fi,
Mike
Click to expand...
A + but it was also an early release, maybe mine had an issue? I returned it and replaced it with a safeguard but it sounds like y’all are satisfied with yours. I’d be willing to give it another shot, I’m not worried about weight, but as long as it comes in tacticool black. Can’t have it clashing with my accessorized camo.
 
They’re both great and 1000x better than a figure 8 or any other type of knot based rig. Grigri is a tiny bit bigger. A little more smooth too. I’ve had the madrock forever so it’s just what I’m used to
 
How well Grigri grabs depends a lot on the rope you use. Canyoning ropes and other static ropes are very stiff, so most devices grab near instantly. If you use softer rope eg. thin dynamic one, grigri will be lot less sensitive to engage. Problematic part is that grigri engagement is not speed dependent. If you start to fall and the rope happens to be in right angle, you won't stop. So Madrock is just a bit safer.

Smoothness of rappel isn't really even a factor on such short rappels. When you do repeated +60ft descents through the day climbing, it sure matters a lot. 25ft once in a day you can deal with pretty much anything.

Safeguard is also smaller and lighter though just slightly. I have Grigri 3 for climbing and I could use that but I want to keep my climbing and hunting gear completely separated.
 
Both are great devices. For those saying the Safeguard is not as smooth, that generally is because you are relying on the release handle to control movement instead of hand on the tag end of the rope. Done properly, you should have full control on the tag and when the handle is first released, you will not move at all. Then keep the handle fully open and feed the line through your tag end hand as fast or slow as you want. The lever should have zero to do with it unless you let go of it to stop.
 
I own both, the GriGri+ is way smoother but sometimes I opt for the smaller Madrock. No particular reason for it, but I usually reserve the GriGri+ for my SRT climbs and the Madrock for one stick or just to rappel after a hunt even with multi stick use.
 
Bwhana said:
Both are great devices. For those saying the Safeguard is not as smooth, that generally is because you are relying on the release handle to control movement instead of hand on the tag end of the rope. Done properly, you should have full control on the tag and when the handle is first released, you will not move at all. Then keep the handle fully open and feed the line through your tag end hand as fast or slow as you want. The lever should have zero to do with it unless you let go of it to stop.
Click to expand...
Fairly important on both devices when rappeling, keep your brake arm straight and extended back about hip level. Then use both grip on brake strand and the lever to control speed, hand can react faster to changes and helps a lot with smoothness.
 
Just bought a madrock for a backup, and to compare them so I’ll guess I’ll get to test them out myself.
 
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I had both and sold the GriGri+. Yes, the GriGri+ for me is smoother on the rappel down. The GriGri has nylon parts inside the MR is all metal. The MR is 1/2 the size, so much easier to pack. I would be happy with either, just liked the size of the MR.
 
DOMMA said:
I had both and sold the GriGri+. Yes, the GriGri+ for me is smoother on the rappel down. The GriGri has nylon parts inside the MR is all metal. The MR is 1/2 the size, so much easier to pack. I would be happy with either, just liked the size of the MR.
Click to expand...
This is my first impression as well, I have had no trouble with the GriGri+ but after handling them the Madrock seems much sturdier and is significantly smaller. About to go out and test the madrock on a couple small rappels.
 
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