Non-Existant Gear / New Gear Ideas or Inventions

Jesse Davidson wrote:How about a device which is used similarly to screamers, but can be reused? I am thinking of something similar to the shock absorbers used for via ferrata, with a cord that slips through some holes. If it could reliably start to slip and limit loads at, say, 2 kn over 2 feet of slip or something it would make tiny nuts a lot more palatable. If the slipping force could be adjusted, and could work even with wet / dirty/ icy ropes, it would be great for ice climbing, too. If the user could use a longer deploying length, then it seems like ANY fall could be held by even the most marginal gear. 2 kn for 2 feet could stop a 200 lb person who had been in free fall for 4.5 feet, even with no stretch in the rope.

reusable shock absorber
any use the gear4rocks reusable shock absorber?

cassin

Ben Beard wrote: reusable shock absorber any use the gear4rocks reusable shock absorber? cassin

Now that I look at the gear4rocks site, does anyone here have any experience with their stuff? plastic nuts?

Ben Beard wrote: does anyone here have any experience with their stuff? plastic nuts?

I have a set and use them as often as I climb. They're light, place well and seem tough. Although, I haven't fallen on any of them yet.

Am I blind, or did that RE page not show how to rig that thing?

KONG makes a nice reusable screamer called the KISA. It's smaller than it looks in the pic and can be rigged all sorts of ways (including online with your tie-in). kong.it/doc408.htm

Thanks everyone for you ideas and input. I'm a climber myself, and it's nice to hear what the rest of the community sees as gear-related problems, challenges, and opportunities we have yet to meet. Thanks to your contributions, my list of possible senior design projects has defiantly grown.

I am still seeking ideas for gear while I narrow down my list of options.

I am very excited for this project and am expecting it to yield something very useful to us.

Cheers!

A better hauler. The pro-traxion has real issues. Kong block roll is heavy as hell, but is a great rig. A lighter hauler with the right hookups to easily rig a 2:1 ratchet would great.

muttonface wrote:I'm pretty sure this thing works like that, although I don't own one so I'm not positive.

It does AND it's half the price of a Gri Gri!

muttonface wrote: I'm pretty sure this thing works like that, although I don't own one so I'm not positive.

I don't own the "alpine smart" but I do own the regular single rope "smart" device. And I wouldn't use a gri-gri 2 after using this. If the alpine smart works as well as the regular smart then its what you are looking for. Auto locking device usable with two ropes. with the added bonus of no moving parts.

Ben Beard wrote: reusable shock absorber any use the gear4rocks reusable shock absorber? cassin

Checking into the Cassin Reusable Shock Absorber you linked to. Looks great and some reviews I read seem to say it works great too. Only problem is that I can't seem to find any gear shops that still sell them. Any ideas?