treevet said:
"Magnitudes more effective".....I just plain don't see it. Not trying to start a beef....just don't see it. I see the cube as a distinct advantage in storage for preservation of line and compactness (under the seat).
Again, the advantages are not 'seen'. They're experienced.
Magnitudes more effective..... hmmmm, maybe strong wording, but I'll stand by it. I've used the cube hundreds of times, I'm pretty clear on the 'distinct advantages'. It lays flatter, so if where and how you store the thing while
not in use is of primary importance, then the cube will be a better choice. But truly, that has absolutely nothing to do with the
actual use of the product. I have to agree, though, that
when folded up, the cube does not stand up as high. This is a distinct advantage in airline travel as it does not take up as much room in your luggage.
Consistency: The reel can be reeled in very much the same, each and every time. This gives consistent deployments off the reel, each and every time.
Predictability: See 'consistency' above. You don't ever have to wonder whether or not you're going to get a snarl. Birdsnesting just doesn't happen because storage is not a convoluted, never-the-same-way-twice, wayward laying of line all over itself, which, face it, is what the cube offers.
Speed: you don't have to open anything or close anything, no folding, unfolding. No untangling. The bag is undraped from the center while walking to the tree, frisbee toss the reel to the ground in front of you and GO. Pulling the climbing line up and over, I use long, forceful pulls by hand with grippy gloves, no need to go slow because you're not flaking into a concentrated zone standing in one spot. Flake it out wherever with as much swiftness as you can muster up. Reeling it back in, this is probably its biggest strength. I have a 58 second video applying 400 feet of line to the reel. Very boring to watch. I made it for the guy who bought a reel and wanted 400 feet of line on it. Standard reels come with 200 feet of line.
Price:From online comparisons, the same as an F-cube, 69 bucks, however the reel comes WITH LINE (200 feet, not 180) and a mini biner. The cubes do not.
Ease of use: To wind up, you don't need to bend over, step on it to steady it and wind up bent over. Nor do you need to clamp it between your legs, nor do you even have to stand in one place to reel it back in. I reel mine back in
while walking back to the truck or on to the next tree.
Size:Below are a few images, you can judge size comparison for yourselves. I hang mine on a vertical surface, up out of the way of the other gear, next to the bigshot. Not in the back end of a truck, not stuffed under a seat, though I'm pretty certain you could do that if so inclined.
Again, it's not a single advantage. It's a streamlined and simplified process, beginning-to-end so you can get on with what makes you money. Use of spliced eyes on the rope speeds things up even more.
