Black Diamond ATC Pilot Review

I'm being completely honest when I say this device kind of surprised me. Only the Mammut Alpine Smart seems to come close and I admittedly haven't been able to do a side by side comparion yet (but plan too)... in the meantime here's my thoughts on this newest addition along with some videos of it in use...

https://northeastalpinestart.com/2018/07/13/gear-review-black-diamond-atc-pilot-belay-device/

How “grabby” is the Pilot when feeding out rope for a leader?

Using the thumb catch, it doesn't grab at all.

Wait doesn't ATC stand for air traffic controller? How is something both an air traffic controller and a pilot?

Paul Deger wrote: How “grabby” is the Pilot when feeding out rope for a leader?

What Mike said basically... when the brake hand thumb is pressing up on the release this device feeds slack out as easy as a regular ATC and in my experience I was less likely to get "short roped" by a less experienced belayer that might struggle with the Mega Jul or Gri Gri for quick slack needs... Experienced belayers should have no issue with any of these devices, but this one definitely makes quick slack feeds pretty easy while still providing a brake assist!

caesar.salad wrote: Wait doesn't ATC stand for air traffic controller? How is something both an air traffic controller and a pilot?

Haha, indeed maybe it was intentional? Direct and indirect control over our flights all in one?

Paul Deger wrote: How “grabby” is the Pilot when feeding out rope for a leader?

I personally found it to be more grabby than the Mammut Smart 2.0, and about the same as the original Smart. The update in the Smart 2.0 shape definitely helped with feeling rope.