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Is anyone using micro traxions for TR solo?

Original Post
gary ohm · · Paso Robles · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 0

For those of y'all who TR solo, is anyone using the micro traxions? If so, how do they compare to the minis (besides being about $30 more expensive and 80 grams (3 ounces) lighter)?
Has anyone tried them and switched from the minis, or tried them and stayed with the minis?
I looked at Steph Davis' blog, and she says she uses one micro below a mini because the mini feeds better... Does anyone have the same experience? Honestly, 80 grams is meaningless to me. If I have one less cup of coffee in the morning I am way ahead of 80 grams...
Thanks for the discussion.

H.. · · Washingtonville NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 45

I TR solo with the micro and i am a fan. I cant speak to the minitraxion since ive never used one, but I am happy with the micro. The only time I have had trouble feeding rope through it is with the burly 11.3 static line I use occasionally, and then only for the first couple moves. My personal philosophy on gear is if it is something I am going to use often, and it will last me a long time, its worth getting the best I can afford.

S Denny · · Aspen, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 20

the micro is MUCH more efficient, i've not used it for soloing, but the increase in efficiency makes it much more versitile than the mini (i.e. hauling)

Benjamin Brooke · · San Pedro, CA · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,050

havent tried the micro...but the mini seems to be ideal for me now that ive got the set up down. curious though.

B Gilmore · · AZ · Joined Nov 2005 · Points: 1,260

no.

cjon3s · · Sterling, VA · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 5
Beagle wrote:no.
Any reason....? Or just no?
B Gilmore · · AZ · Joined Nov 2005 · Points: 1,260
cjon3s wrote: Any reason....? Or just no?
just no, because I just had 3 glasses of wine, but honestly... I use the mini-traxion all the time for tr-solo. Sounds like those who do LOTS of tr-solos on use the double-up system. Have definitely heard of accidents.
harpo-the-climber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 300

What r the accidents people have heard of while using traxions for tr soloing?

harpo-the-climber · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 300

Also can someone compare the traxions to the silent partner or soloist for this purpose? Or to another thread that does?

Will S · · Joshua Tree · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 1,061

traxions are WAY better for fixed line/TR soloing than silent partners. WAY better.

Micro vs. mini: I used a mini + protrax combo for TR soloing for years. Worked fine, but the pro is bulky, but one thing I did like about the pro design was you could get the thing on/off the rope without unclipping the device from its biner. I was always afraid that one day I'd drop the mini when taking it off the rope to switch to rap. Sometimes I'd just put the cam in the locked open position and rap with the mini still on the rope, but I've had it pop closed while rapping like that too...which is a rude surprise.

Recently picked up a micro to replace the pro in the system, except I now run the micro as the top/primary and the mini as the backup (pro was the backup in the system before).

Compared to the mini, yeah it's a little smaller, lighter. But the thing I really like about it is that you are way less likely to inadvertently end up with the cam stuck open. I've had that happen when grinding around in a widish crack and corner system. Sketchy.

You can purposely lock out the cam on the mini, and I've seen people even dremel/grind off the tab/slot in the body so it can't be locked in that position. The design of the micro basically eliminates that feature/flaw.

Anything I'd be hauling from either the micro or mini would be light enough that efficiency wouldn't matter..a small pack at the most. For an actual wall, I'd have a more appropriate set of tools. If you're broke, you can find cheap minis, I'm sure Petzl will eliminate it altogether, it serves no purpose the micro doesn't, so closeouts are available as some shops have already stopped carrying minis and people with spare cash or gear fetish start converting. And they work fine, especially if you modify/eliminate the lockout slot.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

"Also can someone compare the traxions to the silent partner or soloist for this purpose"...

The "Traxions" are not made specifically for SOLOING. They are hauling devices with nice, SHARP teeth that can and will slice yer rope if'n you fuk up..

The Silent Partner and Soloist, are made for Solo climbing. No sharp teeth to be a slice'n...

On that note, I use the mini Traxion at least weekly and am VERY satisfied with how it works when TR soloing. Started running a system of using two, on two separate ropes. Works pretty good and gives an extra boost of security.

Brasky · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 0

The micro is awsome for TR soloing. The toothed cam has a 2 stage lock on it so it most likely wont get stuck in the open position and dont quote me but I believe that if one of the side plates gets bent the cam will still work where as tht might not be true for the mini. I have never used the mini but TR solo once a week at least with my micro and it works really well. If you want some beta the little things people dont usually explain like unloading the device or transfering the load for a rap down once you hit the anchor let me know

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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