I would be happy with a device that just does descent on doubled twin line (1:1 or DbRT), 2:1 doubled dynamic (DdRT) and SRT and that would handle ropes from 10 mm through 13 mm AND had intrinsic soft-lock, hard-lock options.
I think that the being able to both ascend and descend off the same device is grossly overrated. [...]
To me, a few seconds IS essentially instant (with the exception of bees buzzing around my head). I'm happy to pay the small price of switching over if I can enjoy all the benefits a 2:1 climber can't fully realize.
[...]]No, I don't switch gear when I lengthen and shorten the length from my tie-in point. I only switch over to descent when it's time to descend. Otherwise I stay on a 1:1 method, whether SRT or twin line. The descent is also 1:1, whether SRT or twin line. 2:1 DdRT descent is easily possible, but rope wear and cambium damage and limitation of full-factor travel are negatives, so used infrequently.
Having the flexibility of being able to utilize any of the three rope techniques, interchangeably is the tree climbing world I work in. It's nice, you just need to, or should, switch over for descending out of the tree, or onto a roof. I guess the key is knowing the difference between what is descent and what is simply downward adjustment within the crown.
Not meaning to derail this side conversation, but this side conversation is a derail of the thread.[...]
