New ascender

[mntnacvr]

Black Diamond has a new ascender out, looks interesting.

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/pd ... export.pdf

page 28, it's a big pdf.

I wonder if the other 2 cams make it easier/harder to move up? the catch uses the trigger finger, which would be nice, but I believe it's 6 more ounces than the petzl handheld. Has anyone used this?

[tagcaving]

This new Blackdiamond NForce ascender is 245g That is like a little over 1/2 a pound!

Compare this to the Petzl handled ascender which is 196g.

It may be a better mousetrap but it is on the heavy side. I think this ascender must work better in moutaineering with ice on ropes in mind. if anyone gets one, let us know how it works!

Thanks

[LifeOnALine]

It's a tribute to the Kong-Bonaiti (which some of you may have met years back...) so if it's as *cough*identical as it looks, it'll work quite well on muddy ropes but it takes a little more effort to push upwards. You lose about an inch when ascending due to the lever action of the handle, but that's nothing. The levering action only works if you're using the handle - attaching through the top hole (as some ppl do in pulley systems) and it behaves 'funkily'. BD's teeth are a little less aggressive than Petzl's, but they're still not as rope-friendly as the ones Kong used on their Bonaiti-B.

~DM~

[driggs]

Check out Gary Storrick's reviews on his amazing Vertical Devices site:

Black Diamond nForce

Kong-Bonaiti

[driggs]

RockClimbing.com reviewed the BD nForce ascender. They praise the cam operation and the large 'biner attachment hole, but complain that it can "Nose Dive" onto the rope (whatever that means).

Black Diamond nForce Editorial Review

Summary:

Nobody has seen these before, and you’ll get a chat from every hottie who sees you with these.

Has anyone used these underground yet? Can a moderator please rename this thread to something better than "New ascender"?