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Kong Equipment

Original Post
Daniel T · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 35

I'm looking to get a pair of ascenders and I was looming at the Kong Lift units I also saw they have the Robot (a descender).  I cant really find any info on the Kong brand of equipment.  Can anyone share their thoughts and experiences with this brand of goods.  The price point is really attractive, I can get all three pieces of equipment for the same price as a set of BD ascenders.

Ian Lauer · · Yakima, WA · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 15

KONG make high quality stuff. I have found their offerings to be more industrial, slightly beefier than other "sport" focused brands in general, but those ascendars in particular look nice. 

Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419
Daniel T wrote:u

I'm looking to get a pair of ascenders and I was looming at the Kong Lift units I also saw they have the Robot (a descender).  I cant really find any info on the Kong brand of equipment.  Can anyone share their thoughts and experiences with this brand of goods.  The price point is really attractive, I can get all three pieces of equipment for the same price as a set of BD ascenders.

Kong is all good, 

 the Robot, (once you get it sorted out) is an amazingly versatile device! (Pictures won't load? )

I was just asking after it on the current Top Rope solo thread.

Jim Titt · · Germany · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 490

Kong Bonaiti is probably the oldest climbing gear company in the world, a major player in the marine industry and the largest producer of karabiners, I´ve a fair few on my rack. Not a sexy brand but a good one for sure, they brought forged aluminium karabiners, keylock and plenty of other things to the market.

Daryl Allan · · Sierra Vista, AZ · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 1,041

I had a Kong Ghost which is a compact reverso/atc-guide spinoff.  Used it for years with no issues.  Great gear from my experience.  I'd buy from them again.

Daniel T · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 35

Sounds good. at the price point I decided to try out the Lift and the Robot.  Ill post my review of them after I have played with them for a bit.

M Hanna · · Seattle, WA · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 5

Hi Daniel-

Just a note of advice having used a Robot for over 20 years. Use caution if on rappel and stopping on ledges. The bight through the device when unloaded can  fairly easily be detached from the midbar. This has happened to me twice. A great device but can exhibit this action particularly with a stiff rope combined with being towards the end of the rope with very low rope tail weight. I have had a lot of Kong gear since the early 1990's (old guy :)), generally great stuff.

M. Hanna

Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419

//Quote\\!  M Hanna · 3 hours ago · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0
Hi Daniel-

Just a note of advice having used a Robot for over 20 years. Use caution if on rappel and stopping on ledges. The bight through the device when unloaded can  fairly easily be detached from the midbar. This has happened to me twice. A great device but can exhibit this action particularly with a stiff rope combined with being towards the end of the rope with very low rope tail weight. I have had a lot of Kong gear since the early 1990's (old guy :)), generally great stuff.  M. Hanna.   //close \\

Hmm?!  That's NOT Okay!  ( & maybe the reason the device has, to my knowledge,  never been available for sale in US , 'over the counter' climbing stores.)

There are a few ways to where 'pilot error' can occur. But  That coming off the rope? Yikes,

K, I'm not bashing at Mr Hanna, Sir, please do not take my directness that way                                                                                                                                                        (( from Ausrtrian heritage, I've been climb since I could walk, almost)) );^7

I'm on my third robot in 25+ yrs, (Right now, it's way to early in the morning to go digging for a retired one) The wear never gets sharp enough to cut anything.under normal use, but given the life consequences - when the ' Friction Bar' gets Sharpe edges, shows wear 1/2 thru- deep grooves in the extra thick bottom cross bar, The Tool is toasted.  (Still Good for house-hold chores). 

The Grooves in the 'cross-bar'    

      Sorry  for crappy Pics (.!? Won't load again WTF!?)

The Robot, with 'slide hole'

The hole in the 'slide'  allows one to add a 'keeper' sling

My choice: using an old slung nut, cinched, nut to knot, 

The widest side of the nut buts up against the hole in the slide. This way there are 2 strands,                                                                                          The more common way I've seen is for there to be a dedicated tied short cord, knotted;                                                                                                Big knots on both sides of the hole in the 'slide' & either the end tied in or a bight(loop) on the end to clip back to one's harness.

Daniel T · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 35
Michael Schneider wrote:

I'm on my third robot in 25+ yrs, (Right now, it's way to early in the morning to go digging for a retired one) The wear never gets sharp enough to cut anything.under normal use, but given the life consequences - when the ' Friction Bar' gets Sharpe edges, shows wear 1/2 thru- deep grooves in the extra thick bottom cross bar, The Tool is toasted.  (Still Good for house-hold chores). 

The Grooves in the 'cross-bar'    

      Sorry  for crappy Pics (.!? Won't load again WTF!?)

The Robot, with 'slide hole'

The hole in the 'slide'  allows one to add a 'keeper' sling

My choice: using an old slung nut, cinched, nut to knot, 

The widest side of the nut buts up against the hole in the slide. This way there are 2 strands, The more common way I've seen is for there to be a dedicated tied short cord, knotted; Big knots on both sides of the hole in the 'slide' & either the end tied in or a bight(loop) on the end to clip back to one's harness.

tanks for your rigging pictures and the keeper tips.

M Hanna · · Seattle, WA · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 5

No offense taken Michael. I should have clarified that the times this happened it was on a BW static line (very stiff), during route cleaning/set up. I always run a backup shunt, microscender, etc so not the end of world but a real consideration being highly dependent on several factors, not all intuitive.

Overall I like the Robot, it just has some situational conditions of use. Not unlike most devices.

i would also note that your through the slider hole backup would not have prevented loss of friction in my case if the bar was opened enough to pull the cordage through if the backup was not under tension. 

my .02

mh

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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