Petzl NANO Traxion - coming June 2021?

Ran across a product preview page on Petzl's tactical site for a new product called the Nano Traxion:

https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Tactical/New/NANO-TRAXION

Some comparison notes with the venerated Micro Traxion:

- Efficiency is the same (91%)

- Weight is reduced from 85g (micro) to 53g (nano) - difference of 32g / 1.12oz

- The nano can handle ropes from 7-11mm, the micro's range is 8-11mm

- The nano's toothed cam cannot be "locked out" like it can on the micro.

I'm willing to bet that we'll see these hit the recreational climbing market eventually, but it's anyone's guess whether or not it will happen at the same time as the tactical / professional release which is set for June 2021.

Edit: Added the lack of cam lockout as reflected in comments below.

It looks like the lockout mechanism is different from the micro, but hard to see details in the pic. The design of that mechanism will make a big difference whether climbers like it for bigwalling and TR solo.

It looks like they achieved the weight loss by making the sheave smaller.  In real life with real rope, this will make the efficiency a little worse than the micro trax.  For rope soloing and random rope handling tasks (there are so many little random uses for these suckers!), looks like it will be great.  The pulley efficiency isn't very important unless you're moving a significant load.

For use as a big wall hauler, I would stick with the micro trax.

Literally a black version of the Edelrid Spoc. Really dig the Spoc, btw.

RRR wrote:

Literally a black version of the Edelrid Spoc. Really dig the Spoc, btw.

Let's be honest, the Spoc is a green version of the micro trax.

Nick Sweeney wrote:

Let's be honest, the Spoc is a green version of the micro trax.

Functionally, sure, but the actual design is different. This nano looks like it came off the same assembly line.

Made a video talking about what the new locking mechanism might be, I'll link it below, but I've also heard that the Nano Traxion might not even have a locking mechanism. What do you guys think?

https://youtu.be/S0z8ONYOEcw

It has no lock-out mode as per Petzl rep. If you liked that feature, stick with the Micro. If you're one of the people that find it annoying, it might be right for you. If you want a positive non-annoying lock-out feature, get a Roll'nLock

Justin Wallace wrote:

Made a video talking about what the new locking mechanism might be, I'll link it below, but I've also heard that the Nano Traxion might not even have a locking mechanism. What do you guys think?

https://youtu.be/S0z8ONYOEcw

Ha, amazed Petzl is debuting products on... TikTok.

To me, the absent lockout mechanism is concerning. In most rescue hauling,  ability to lower is important - otherwise someone could get smothered up in a crevasse lip or other terrain. Releasing a Microtraxion under load is already tough, but taking away the lockout mechanism would make it even harder, since now the rescuer needs to juggle removing the whole device. That said, the Beal Tract Up (still awaiting USA import after 1 year) appears to lack a lockout also. 

Personally I added a cord for load release to my RollNLock (not quite as pictured, threaded through the hole instead) akin to the Kong Duck. It seems to work for bodyweight - it's a very sudden transfer, but you just attach the new anchor, clip a 120cm sling to the cord and stomp. I imagine a similar hack on the toothed Nanotraxion would shred the rope sheath though. Updating, this guy seems to advocate this on the microtrax, but never actually demonstrates with bodyweight. 

A bit off-topic but here's the details of a better way to rig a release cord on the Roll'nLock

I mean... that tab sure looks like it locks into the black bar which rotates on that pin...  maybe having a fatty carabiner in there might block unlocking it. But based on this picture I’d expect it to work almost exactly like a micro

SICgrips wrote:

A bit off-topic but here's the details of a better way to rig a release cord on the Roll'nLock

Man, I wish I had thought of that when I used the Roll-n-lock for TR solo.

I have friends now though. ;)

So... the Nano Traxion is coming from Petzl's tactical division. Can we expect to see these on the consumer market? My impression is that most tactical climbing gear seems to only be available to customers placing large orders (military or law enforcement). That would render this discussion moot.

It's the same reason my black Totem has a grey racking biner even though there is a black version of the biner I use for racking: the black version simply isn't available to civilians as far as I can tell. I rack my cams with DMM Chimeras these days.

PatMas wrote:

I mean... that tab sure looks like it locks into the black bar which rotates on that pin...  maybe having a fatty carabiner in there might block unlocking it. But based on this picture I’d expect it to work almost exactly like a micro

According to the rep, it uses the same cam, that's why there's a nub on it which you point out. However there is no hole for it to fit into like on the Micro. Thus there is no "lock-out" mode.

David K wrote:

So... the Nano Traxion is coming from Petzl's tactical division. Can we expect to see these on the consumer market?

There's an orange one that'll show up in the same kinds of stores as the Microtraxion

More:

• There's no integrated lockout for the cam, but there's still a hole in the tip of the cam, so the careful, enterprising expert can loop a bit of cordage in there to get into various careful, expert shenanigans
• The toothed cam part is the same part that appears in the Microtraxion, hence the appearance of that little nubbin on the back, despite the lack of a lockout
• Keeper cord slot is easier to get a cord into than the Micro's keeper cord slot (for the Micro, you have to navigate a 90 degree bend for the keeper cord; that design has been updated for Nano)
• It's absurdly small in a way that doesn't come across in pictures, even if you put it next to a Microtraxion. The best comparison I've found so far is that it's about the same size as my car's electronic key fob (see picture below) 

In short, it's a tiny Microtraxion with the same theoretical efficiency (91%) and without a cam lockout. I'd reach for it for things like (1) making an Oh Shit Kit that always lived on my harness, (2) anything hyperlight and fast, (3) replacing the Micro in a usage case where I didn't want the cam to have a chance of locking out, (4) big wall hauling. Frankly, I suspect that many people will choose it over a Micro, given the price point, size, and the sorts of things people use progress capture pulleys for.

Orange Nanotraxion hiding behind my key fob; note that I pivoted the Nano a bit because otherwise it's truly hidden behind the fob: 

Great info. Musing, one DIY lockout option: 

1. Tie a loop of shock cord, like Söderqvist's video below.
2. Crimp a very slim, long swage sleeve to the cord. (ideally steel)
3. To lock, pull the cord, then slide the sleeve into the cam hole.
4. Release the cam, allowing the sleeve to block against the cheek plates.

A steel ferrule seems best, since copper or aluminum might deform and get stuck between the side plates. 

Of course, the locked teeth may still rub (or shred!) large diameter ropes. That may be why Petzl omitted the lockout: it's not only market segmentation. There's likely not enough Nanotrax clearance to lock the cam with those 11mm polyester tactical lines. Less of a concern for us alpinists though on our RAD line.

Wanna clear up some confusion on the locking mechanism.  I made this video explaining why it won't be there.

https://youtu.be/sOngi7IyIfg

According to a Petzl rep yesterday, "The Nano Traxion is set for a 9/1/21 release date and will be available for personal purchase through the SPORT division.  We certainly hope for a smooth release and no supply chain distractions. It retails for $99.95."

Caleb Bryce wrote:

According to a Petzl rep yesterday, "The Nano Traxion is set for a 9/1/21 release date and will be available for personal purchase through the SPORT division.  We certainly hope for a smooth release and no supply chain distractions. It retails for $99.95."

We have reached Sept 2021 - Any word on the NanoTrax? 

JCM wrote:

We have reached Sept 2021 - Any word on the NanoTrax? 

Found one euro site taking preorders- they say mid oct now

https://www.canyonzone.com/a-62776601/pre-ordering-2021/petzl-nano-traxion

Global supply chain is an extremely fast-moving target at the moment (hence all these delays), so take this with a grain of salt, but: You should have a good feeling about the middle/end of November in the United States :)