Petzl Freino

I'd like to give one of these a shot...just can't justify spending full retail for something I may, or may not use much. Seems like mixed reviews...some say there the "cat's meow" others have said it was the dumbest thing they've bought....

Anyone got one collecting dust, and wants a little cash?

No, but I like mine.

Thanks for the offer, unfort. with something I may or may not use, that would be a little high for me...REI with there sale would be $35.00 brand new... thanks though.

BTW, do you like it/use it?

Long-time ATC user here who recently added a GriGri and Freino into the mix. I really like the combination when I'm lowering a heavy climber, but it is kind of pain otherwise. My main complaint is the difficulty racking because the additional spur doesn't allow the Grigri to rotate for ease in clipping the Freino/Grigri combo to my harness.

Jury's still out whether I'll keep it long-term, but I'm not quite ready to part with it yet. Good luck!

If you want the Freino for lowering a heavy climber, but you don't want to dish out the dough, consider just clipping a biner to your leg loop and redirect the brake strand through it when lowering.

OK, Im a freino fan to start.

It is great if you are going to use a grigri a lot in both the bottom for lowering a heavier climber but where it really shines is when the frieno is clipped to an anchor for lowering someone. You can easily redirect the brake strand into the braking plane and use the grigri the way petzl describes.

I personally belay off an anchor all the time with a grigri because it is easier to pull rope through than a plaquette device so long as I am only using 1 rope.

Others have noted that the Grigri will not spin around on the freino but I see that as a good thing because it prevents crossloading.

Cons:
expensive

Heavy

only has 1 function which is something I try to avoid in climbing gear.

I love it. Been using for years. Best biner for a GriGri ever. Get one. Worth the price 100%.

aikibujin wrote:If you want the Freino for lowering a heavy climber, but you don't want to dish out the dough, consider just clipping a biner to your leg loop and redirect the brake strand through it when lowering.

How about for long rappels on smaller diameter line?

Mine never leaves the ground, too heavy. For long rappels, I add another biner into the system to make more friction, and also wear gloves.

I also think it would be harder to raise your break hand up to increase friction while on rappel using the Freino, but I have never tried.