trango ball nuts

hey ive been looking to buy some ball nuts and i was wondering what everyones thoughts where on the trango ball nutz versus the Camp bll nuts? im thinking about just getting the 2 largest sizes. any thoughts?

Pretty sure I heard Mal-formerly-of-Trango say both the Trango and CAMP versions are made in the same factory and the only difference is how the two rated them.

They fit in small pin scars well. They also fit in parallel slots that would normally not hold a small cam. They are also rated higher than their comparable cam counterparts. The purple works well on diedre in squamish.I cannot find any difference in teh two brands. Both work fine for me. Not recommended for aid as the ball part is soft and can deform easily.

My climbing partners always look at them in disbelief, but I love my red and yellow. When I place them, I'm glad I had them; rarely will anything else work.

On that note, any recommendations on how to figure out which way to place them. Sometimes it's obvious. Other times after a test yank pulls them out, I flip them upside down and they're bomber, but it's not always easy to read which way is better.

get the 3 smallest. the #3 is just smaller than black alien and pretty useful. also, the purple one (i think #5?) fills that horrid gap between blue and green alien.

My favorite piece of gear! They go where others won't. I have a set and use the shit outta the smallest three. Lately I've been using the bigger ones for anchors on multipitch routes to save cams for climbing.

I sold off the #4 and #5 because they match cams that will probably work better. #1-3 are great but falling on the #1 seems like a bad idea. I have fallen on the #2 though. CAMP and Trango versions are identical I think.

johnL wrote:The wee little ones are awesome when you have to use them though.

I second that. Good for pin scars many times.

I have 1, 2, and 3 looks like the 1 have been used once 20 bucks each
if your interested let me know and we'll figure out the rest.

Well....You aren't missing anything. Just being Misled. They are intended for clean aid, but the larger sizes can ALSO be utilized as pro for trad.

Locker wrote:"Not recommended for aid as the ball part is soft and can deform easily."... I find that interesting. So you're saying that they're fine to fall on (which of course generates way more weight than ones body weight), but not good for body weight? I HAVE to be missing something here.

I imagine it is because repeated loading will mank up the cable and ball, making the things useless in a short period of time.

They're a lot more durable then they look. The ball isn't that soft. They are an aid piece specifically made to be used in pin scars and the like, instead of more pins. The smaller sizes are rated to 4.5-8 KN. You will ruin them faster falling on them free than aiding on em.

Locker wrote:"Not recommended for aid as the ball part is soft and can deform easily."... I find that interesting. So you're saying that they're fine to fall on (which of course generates way more weight than ones body weight), but not good for body weight? I HAVE to be missing something here.

Locker,
When I would use ball nuts for aid the ball would acquire lots of dents and the wire would bend causing the ball to not align with the bowl. In my opinion shelling out more cash for offsets would be of more use for aid routes with pin scars. Repeated use of ball nuts for aid mangles them pretty easily. They are great for aid but in hindsight I would rather invest in smaller cams.

For free climbing they are great to have as they add extra secuity and don't produce a lot of bulk on the rack.

for thin seams in aid it is all about the cam hooks. If I had the cash though I would pick up some of the small ballnutz.
still on seams I find I can use camhooks and then find small irregularities every few feet to place brassies in case I pop.

Agreed as progression pieces cam hooks are key. As far as pro, Ball nuts work well. The one green I have has been on my rack for the longest. Placed many times including a ton of bounce tests. Its not dented nor is the wire bent. I could see how this could potentially happen and add up over time if you fall on them, but I personally have been pleasantly surprised how well its held up. Im actually in the market for a few more.

Randy, are yours really in that bad of shape? Im honestly curious (not saying they aren't) Have any pics? Mine have obviously gotten scratched up and maybe bent a hair but otherwise are like new. And Ive bounced the crap out of them. Im curious because Ive been thinking of buying a few more. What brand are yours?

cms829,
I have an older camp lowe small yellow one and I stopped using it for aid because the wire got bent and makes it difficult to place.

I have a full set I could part with. I'll have to look and see but I think i have two reds and then one each of the next bigger three sizes so five total, brand new.

will smith wrote:I have 1, 2, and 3 looks like the 1 have been used once 20 bucks each if your interested let me know and we'll figure out the rest.

I would not recommend buy any used Climbing Gear, Ropes, Harnesses, Ect...Climb Shoes are a little Different...You never know what the gear/ropes have been through and looks tells Nothing!!! I have 4 Ball Nuts, THeir Bomber Protection for Trad. Climbing...But Only Designed for 1 Fall, but when nothing fits, it's more Solid than a Cam if placed right!!! Buy New!!! Expencive 1 time use and meant for only non-wieth bearing Uses( Except that 1 lead fall..no aid, hanging on, Back-up Ancor Only, with slick in it(no weight, just extra back-up)...So Really 2 Uses , 1 mainly Trad. Leading or no weight on it backup!!! After Weight is put on the Copper molds... Great pro high price, 1 fall or weight put on and time to Retire!!! Climb Safe!!! I would love to get for half price but..Only NEW!!! Good Luck!

randy88fj62 wrote:cms829, I have an older camp lowe small yellow one and I stopped using it for aid because the wire got bent and makes it difficult to place.

I would not recommend buy any used Climbing Gear, Ropes, Harnesses, Ect...Climb Shoes are a little Different...You never know what the gear/ropes have been through and looks tells Nothing!!! I have 4 Ball Nuts, THeir Bomber Protection for Trad. Climbing...But Only Designed for 1 Fall, but when nothing fits, it's more Solid than a Cam if placed right!!! Buy New!!! Expencive 1 time use and meant for only non-wieth bearing Uses( Except that 1 lead fall..no aid, hanging on, Back-up Ancor Only, with slick in it(no weight, just extra back-up)...So Really 2 Uses , 1 mainly Trad. Leading or no weight on it backup!!! After Weight is put on the Copper molds... Great pro high price, 1 fall or weight put on and time to Retire!!! Climb Safe!!! I would love to get for half price but..Only NEW!!! Good Luck!

cms829 wrote:They're a lot more durable then they look. The ball isn't that soft. They are an aid piece specifically made to be used in pin scars and the like, instead of more pins. The smaller sizes are rated to 4.5-8 KN. You will ruin them faster falling on them free than aiding on em.

what is the Trango #1 Kn rating??? Trango says..their ballnuts are rated between 7-8 Kn??? ,Seller site said #1 was 4.5 Kn???...Please Answer if you know for Absolute!!!!! Camp Says 8Kn on #1?? Thanks!

Keenan Waeschle wrote:for thin seams in aid it is all about the cam hooks. If I had the cash though I would pick up some of the small ballnutz. still on seams I find I can use camhooks and then find small irregularities every few feet to place brassies in case I pop.

Locker... your on to the use of this!
I would not recommend buy any used Climbing Gear, Ropes, Harnesses, Ect...Climb Shoes are a little Different...You never know what the gear/ropes have been through and looks tells Nothing!!! I have 4 Ball Nuts, THeir Bomber Protection for Trad. Climbing...But Only Designed for 1 Fall, but when nothing fits, it's more Solid than a Cam if placed right!!! Buy New!!! Expencive 1 time use and meant for only non-wieth bearing Uses( Except that 1 lead fall..no aid, hanging on, Back-up Ancor Only, with slick in it(no weight, just extra back-up)...So Really 2 Uses , 1 mainly Trad. Leading or no weight on it backup!!! After Weight is put on the Copper molds... Great pro high price, 1 fall or weight put on and time to Retire!!! Climb Safe!!! I would love to get for half price but..Only NEW!!! Good Luck!