Foot Ascender from CMI

[pdqdl]

These guys are offering a lifetime warranty on the cam mechanism! I think the ankle straps look a bit sturdier than other brands I have seen.

Any thoughts or experience with these?

Website: http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/ascenders/foot.asp

 

[Blakesmaster]

I've had mine for about 10 mos and no problems thus far. I don't use it everyday but it's always in my bag.

 

[Treetom]

you read my mind

PDQL, Buy the Petzl Pantin, at $15.00 more than the CMI, it has a "Dyneema" reinforced foot strap and it's gold-coloured. Actually, I'm looking to add a foot ascender and foot strap to my own climbing set up. I'm offering "spikeless tree climbing" in '10. I don't think I could fit that foot ascender over my Kleins anyway.

 

[D Mc]

I have no experience with the CMI but I have heard plenty. I use the Petzl.
It will depend on what you expect of it as to which one will be best for you.

What I am hearing is that the CMI requires hand engagement for both putting on and taking off of the rope. Requires less effort to maintain connection with the rope.

The Petzl can be disengaged easily hands-free. For some this is a benefit, for others it is an irritant. Both appear to be well made but with slightly different user requirements.

Dave

 

[Tree Pig]

PDQL, Buy the Petzl Pantin, at $15.00 more than the CMI, it has a "Dyneema" reinforced foot strap and it's gold-coloured. Actually, I'm looking to add a foot ascender and foot strap to my own climbing set up. I'm offering "spikeless tree climbing" in '10. I don't think I could fit that foot ascender over my Kleins anyway.

Why would you recommend th epetz over the CMI if your using neither... Just curious??/

 

[oscar4883]

I have the CMI. I decided on the CMI over the Petzl because of the ease of keeping it on the rope. I have no experience with the Petzl but the general consensus from reading past posts seems to point to the fact that the CMI stays on the rope with a little less fuss as others have pointed out already. The CMI is not quite as sleek as the pantin but a sturdy piece of kit for sure. I plan on picking up another one soon to set up a double line rope walker system. In the archives I think I read someplace that the CMI may also be easier on the rope as far as picking is concerned. Hope this helps.

 

[RacerX]

I use the Petzl Pantin. Two advantages that the Pantin has is size and rounded edges. The CMI is a little larger and more square which means that it can more easily get wedged with your foot in a tight crotch. Like Treetom said the Dyneema is a nice touch for years of use.

 

[voxac30dude]

im not trying to steal this thread but i actualy wanted to try CMI's ascenders. how do they comapre to petzl?

 

[Tree Pig]

I dont own either but I have used the Petzl several times and I have had zero issues with it coming disconnected on 1/2" line I think the problem comes in when you use it with the smaller diameter lines.

 

[MonkeyMan_812]

Mine works great. I like the cmi better than petzl.

 

[D Mc]

I dont own either but I have used the Petzl several times and I have had zero issues with it coming disconnected on 1/2" line I think the problem comes in when you use it with the smaller diameter lines.

Stihl-O, the problem has more to do with foot technique than the size of the line. Chances are if you have no trouble with your 1/2" line, you wouldn't have any trouble with the 11 mm either.

For some the Pantene can be very frustrating and doesn't fit into their climbing style. So for those, the CMI might be a better choice.

For myself, I like the fact that I can kick out of the Pantene whenever I feel like it. I find I can also engage it, hands free, if the tail of my line is long enough.

Dave

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I use my CMI's every week. Those black straps in the pic are the old ones. They wear poorly. The yellow Kevlar straps are the ones you want. CMI sends them out at no charge. Highly recommend.

 

[mikewhite85]

It's cheap. It's easy. It's great. Buy it.

If you are using a blake's or tautline hitch with the body thrust method, a cmi ascender makes it quite a bit easier. I love it.

 

[Treetom]

Why would you recommend th epetz over the CMI if your using neither... Just curious??/

I was being obtuse. Until I started reading this post the only difference I saw between the two was price, color and the "Dyneema" thing.

 

[SINGLE-JACK]

These guys are offering a lifetime warranty on the cam mechanism! I think the ankle straps look a bit sturdier than other brands I have seen.

Any thoughts or experience with these?

Website: http://www.cmi-gear.com/catalog/ascenders/foot.asp

Pdqdl -

I have a pair of them for use on a DLRW. Did a post on them a while back. They're cheaper, tougher, stay on the rope better, AND teeth are easier on the rope. What's not to like?

- Jack

 

[canopyboy]

I have the petzl. It took me a bit to get used to the fact that you can kick off your line, but now that's my favorite part. And like dmc, I've found I can re-engage it on the line hands free a lot of times. It also seems smaller and more streamlined on my foot, and with more rounded edges seems less likely to mess up thin-skinned trees with an errant kick. I've messed with the CMI when my buddy added one to my last order, but I didn't get the chance to use it. The CMI does seem beefier, but how much beef do you need? Speaking of which, time to fire up the grill for dinner.

 

[ronnyb]

I have both. The cmi fits my foot better- it is easier to get the straps tight on your boot. I like the fact that it locks onto the rope. My petzl loosens up and slides around.

 

[SINGLE-JACK]

I have the petzl. It took me a bit to get used to the fact that you can kick off your line, but now that's my favorite part. And like dmc, I've found I can re-engage it on the line hands free a lot of times. It also seems smaller and more streamlined on my foot, and with more rounded edges seems less likely to mess up thin-skinned trees with an errant kick. I've messed with the CMI when my buddy added one to my last order, but I didn't get the chance to use it. The CMI does seem beefier, but how much beef do you need? Speaking of which, time to fire up the grill for dinner.

canopyboy's got some very good points, here.

The Pantin is
- off & on the line easier
- smaller, more streamlined
- less damage to tree?

While the CMI can also be hands free off & on the line, you have to use the other foot; definitely a plus for the Pantin.

The Pantin is smaller than the CMI, also a plus for the Pantin.

However, in a tight crotch, both can cause damage and be damaged. It's best to remove any foot ascender when the bulk of the climbing is done and starting to work - they both get in the way.

The CMI has less aggressive teeth than the Pantin - plus or minus?

Choosing a foot ascender is like choosing an ascending hitch - whatever fits your style.

 

[ripplerider]

Just got 2 Pantins and an Ascendtree delivered yesterday. It poured the rain all day so I went to my Dad's and tried it out in his old chickenhouse. The Pantins kept coming off the rope with me (half inch rope). I guess I just need to practice with them. The Ascendtree worked well though. Also even when the Pantins stayed on the rope I had trouble making them advance along the rope with it just hanging loose. I guess I could just tie off the rope but I hear some of ya'll talk about climbing alone with this sysatem and I know you wouldnt have anyone to untie the rope for you so I know it must be possible without tying off. Oh well guess I just need to keep practicing.

 

[Grace Tree]

It takes a little weight below the pantin until you have enough rope weight to get it to feed well. You can do it a few different ways. You can tie something to the tail of the rope like the climbing saw and then pull it up to you, have someone hold the tail until you get up a bit. Sometimes I'll take the tail after it passes through the pantin and loop it up over my shoulder to create a loop that I can snag with my opposite foot to pull the slack through. Doesn't take much distance before there's enough rope weight to make it feed. You can always footlock or hump up a ways and then get into the pantin. Have fun with your stuff.
Phil