Kong Gipsy?? Anyone use?

Looking to expand into some larger gear and found these.. anybody out there have any experience with these?

kong.it/doc/KONG_GIPSY.pdf

The idea isn't new. They used to be called the "blitz" and they do work in some placements. The key new feature on this version seems to be the locking switch that helps you keep the device open. That should help with one handed placement.
These things work well in parallel sided cracks. I had a couple that saw some use in the desert.

Aside from the novelty factor (you'll probably have the only set on the block!) not much recommends these over cams. Versatility, easy of use, and reliability of standard cams are hard to beat.

Does anyone even carry these in the states?

ACR,
They're actually in the new Liberty Mountain catalog.

To Avi's point, how would you say they compare to Big Bros, which I think is a better comparison?

Matt.

I believe Climb On in Squamish had some last summer in the shop if you are really after one. I personally have no experience.

I thought these looked very cool when I looked into them last year. Size goes up to 8in. You should get one and tell us how they work!

Great. I had no idea they were available in the states again. If I had to choose I would go with big bros. I've had much better luck with them and find the placements straight forward and secure. The gypsy/blitz thing can get a little "wobbly" unless the walls of the crack are relatively smooth. These are just my opinions and maybe I didn't get the hang of it... I still have one so maybe I'll try it out again in the interest of comparison.

I'm nothing resembling a mechanical engineer but they look like they could be a little unstable in the z axis. What was your experience with that ACR. At least I think its the Z axis that I'm talking about.

I not an engineer either, my wife is, and when I asked her about the z axis she gave me that "oh dear, you are so out of your depth" look. Sigh...

The instability comes when the feet of either side of the ladder fail to make equal or balanced contact with the rock. Like if one pad is on a nubbin and the other is kind of hovering.
I have never noticed the units walking out of a placement but I have had the rope get stuck (pinched) between the unit and the rock. A good tug pulled it free but also pulled out the unit. Maybe the new version addresses these issues but I don't know how they would.

Maybe I can take a picture of it. I'll see what I can do.

Matt Roberts wrote:ACR, They're actually in the new Liberty Mountain catalog. To Avi's point, how would you say they compare to Big Bros, which I think is a better comparison? Matt.

Matt, unfortunately I too was looking for some insight and haven't gotten my hands on once of these units yet..

They are available on Liberty Mountain but at prices that are comparable to camming units of a similar size.

Is the hinge spring loaded? how does the unit remain in the crack after it has been placed?

I followed the links from Kong's website, and they have a neat Youtube video demoing 2 placements and a fall on the largest red one.. I'd love to whip on these.. maybe above a camalot.

If you have these on your rack let us know what you think!!
Pictures or it didn't happen

you cant bump and big bro, and you cant bump a gypsy, thats I all I need to know about them, when things get big, the big cams get pushed.