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BD Magnetron Locking carabiner

Original Post
dougie2008 · · Boulder · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 0

I really like the looks of these new carabiners but I cannot find much objective information on them.

Has anyone used the magnetron and if you have what did you think of it? Good/bad experiences.

Finn The Human · · The Land of Ooo · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 106

They're neat, they work as intended, and they're prohibitively expensive.

Bill Shubert · · Lexington, MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 55

Yeah, a climbing partner of mine has one. It's cool as heck, and it works just like they say: Easy to open, easy to close, operates one handed, but it's secure and doesn't pop open by accident. I was going to buy one - then I realized that, cool as it is, it costs $25 for something that isn't in any practical way better than my old $9 screwlock carabiner. Maybe around Christmas I'll drop hints to my wife and hope to get it that way, because I'd like one but can't justify the purchase.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

I think i paid over $30 for my magnetron gridlock. It's grossly over priced, but I really like Rock & Snow in New Paltz-- so I bought one!

GoHike · · Billings, MT · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 25

I have two Magnetron Rocklocks and a GridLock...I just used them for a Southwest Tour (Red Rock - Zion - Indian Creek). I love them...mostly the Magnetron Rocklock. For single day multi pitch the extra weight is not a huge deal, but when you are pumped out of your mind it is so fast get into an anchor and know that you are locked.

As a photographer who climbs and shoots it is a fast way to be in and out of anchors (locked).
It speeds up everything just that little bit that can make a big difference at the end of the day.

At $25 would I replace all of my lockers...heck no. At $15 I might add a few more, especially in a smaller more efficient size.

For sport climbers and craggers, who are on and off belay frequently, it is fast and easy, and that might matter to you. Just think you can load and unload your GriGri faster ;)

I also used my Magnetron Rocklock for some canyoneering, and it handled it like a champ.

I got mine in October, 2012 and have climbed 30ish days with them since (no since using them in the gym and bouldering ;)

THE NEGATIVE - The cost and weigh more than a comparable screwgate.

I have not been able to sand or freeze one up yet.

Raul P · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 35

Got the magnetron gridlock as a present, big fan. I don't know if I'd buy one at retail though, but they are very functional.

This information probably doesn't help you.

EricSchmidt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0
GoHike wrote:For single day multi pitch the extra weight is not a huge deal, but when you are pumped out of your mind it is so fast get into an anchor and know that you are locked. As a photographer who climbs and shoots it is a fast way to be in and out of anchors (locked). It speeds up everything just that little bit that can make a big difference at the end of the day.
1) Why are you clipping in direct to an anchor when you are pumped out of your mind? How about just hanging a quickdraw and yelling take then figure out getting yourself anchored in....

2) "speeds everything up that can make a big difference at the end of the day".... Magnetron takes 1/2 second, screw lock takes 2 seconds. A whopping 1.5 second difference. How many times are you anchoring and unanchoring in a day to make a big difference in time savings?

What a weird reply.... Typical of someone who would buy a few magnetrons I guess.
Garret Nuzzo Jones · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 1,436

Try operating one of those bastards with heavy gloves on. Not quite as ridiculous as all the auto-locking biners that freeze up and become inoperable but still annoying.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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