Trango Raptor Ice tools

I just posted my Raptor review on NEice.com if anyone's interested. I don't have the Nomic and Fusion experience that Dane does; my comments come more from a pure ice tool (first Gen. Quark) baseline. And compared to that sort of tool, the Raptors are quite different, and it's not all positive.

link to NEice(and-second)-impressions

Gunkiemike wrote: and it's not all positive.

so I agree with your review, they rock for hooking and really open up another realm of creativity for me. as far as the swing I do agree at first its very tricky to not just blast the ice. However last night I took a few turns on a pair again and I am finding that once you start figuring out the swing it does become possible to get good sticks regularly on pure unblazed ice. biggest thing to keep in mind when trying to figure out the swing is how to be very lose handed on the grip in the more "karate chop" postion, I found myself burying the pick to the hilt last night by actively thinking about gripping like such. and no the ice wasn't plastic at all.

Just an opinion, so take it for what it is worth. Coming from the heavier and original Quark, likely with Cascade picks puts Mike's NEI review into perspective.

I likely will never use the pick weights on my Raptors. And would have no problem recommending the Raptor as a first tool for a beginner set up like that. No pick weights. A beginner is usually open to new technques not knowing anything else.

I would have no problem owning a set of Raptors as my only ice tools. (I generally use a Nomic now) I don't personally modify my picks, Trangos or Petzls. I don't see the need. I would have to open up the grip for my XL size hands how ever.

If I could modify the Raptor I would drop the pick angle 2 maybe 3 degrees. And I'd make the stainless head a hammer face without adding any more weight. And I'd change the grip a bit. Same thing could be said of a current green Fusion. Basically a better Nomic...imagine that ;) But I can live with the Raptor as they are. More importantly if I was looking for a first tool...the Raptor would be a no brainier. IMO it is a better tool than the Fusion. The Raptor could easily take a beginner (or an expert) any where they want to climb long into the future.

Looks like they've redesigned the Trango Raptors. The most notable difference I can see from the product photo is a redesigned handle -- presumably to address the issues with anything but small hands on the first generation. Looks like they're also a cool ice blue now! :-D

I switched to the Raptors last season after climbing mostly on Vipers (my first tools) for years, but having climbed some with Cobras, Fusions, Quarks and Nomics in the past.

They're a big step up from the Vipers for me on harder stuff. On pure vertical ice, they have their compromises -- but I bought some of the lower angle ice picks in the off season and am looking forward to trying them this winter on pure ice.

I have a medium-sized hand, so the first-gens are a little pinchy, but not unbearable. I had some of the rubber shred off the upper handle rest when I went over a rock bulge in a sideways position, but I patched it back together with liberal amounts of seam grip. It doesn't look like this material design is effectively any different in the new model, but it's primarily a cosmetic issue.

Comparing them side by side, they definitely opened up the handle and it does look like they beefed up the upper handle rest, too.

New Model:

Old Model:

To update my comments above - the ice-optimized picks now available for the Raptor have resolved 98% of my initial concerns with these tools. They are now my go-to tool for all types of water ice routes, and still outperform my other tools (Gen1 Quarks, Awaxes) on mixed climbs. Love 'em love 'em!

Thought people might like to see this. Emailed Trango to clarify the changes:

"There are few modifications to the handle of the Raptor for 2014. We changed the handle grip by extending distance to the upper trigger, lowered the angle of the bottom trigger, and extended the rubber grip further up the shaft above the upper trigger. The goal was to make the handle more ergonomic for a wider range of hand sizes.

The New Raptor will be T-Rated for both shaft and pick. We will also be shipping the Raptor with a slightly less steep angled pick that allows it to be used cleanly on both ice and in mixed terrain. We will still be offering a mixed pick that has a steeper angle for use in pure mixed conditions.

The New Raptor should be in stock and ready to ship in the next few weeks.

Trango Team"

Just pulled the trigger on a new pair of the Gen 2 model. Will write a review after I get a season (or a month or so of steady use) under me. Pretty stoked though..they look and feel great in the hand. They come with a leather pick protector with an allen wrench loop, and allen wrench.

Gen 2 Trango Raptor

Ok, so I have put some miles under these tools and I have to say that they are definitely growing on me. They are a solidly built tool (7075 T6 aluminum alloy) with and investment cast stainless steel head...very burly but you don't sacrifice weight..they are a relatively light tool weighing in at slightly under the Petzl Nomics.
I first took them out on a late evening solo run on a hooked out Thresher sans pick weights as I wanted to see how the swing was without them. They are a really well balanced tool but the swing is not intuitive. I liken it more to the Nomic with a bit of a flick and a pull at the end of the swing. purchase is good and I did overdrive the tool a couple of times and found the removal to be challenging...detuning the front to teeth would probably help. The tools hook very well and at no time did I feel as though the picks would rock out of the hook placement, The handles are comfortable and the picks displaced an average amount of ice when swinging into virgin territory...less than I expected actually.

• On the approach, the tools plunged well.The pomel spike did not skid around on the ice surface and the handles didn't really get hung up on the dragon's skin like I thought a full gripiped tool might. Definitely need to grip tape the top of the shaft! (note to self!)

The third time out, I added the pick weights and I think I like the swing better. Less effort was needed to drive the picks and I got the tools stuck far fewer times...in fact, I didn't get the picks stuck once on the last climb that we did...two pitches (Grade 3+-4). The tools swing well on steep ice and clearing bulges..again...a bit of a learning curve with the swing, but now that I am used to it, they are pure gold.
I am still a huge fan of my x-all mountains and my x-dreams and really don't see this tool replacing it, but it is going to stay in my quiver...it is really starting to grow on me and I am looking forward to taking them out this weekend on something a little longer and steeper.
I think if I were looking for one tool to do it all, the Trango Raptor II would be in the top three of my choices...just an excellent tool at an amazing price point.