Spiderjack: Anyone using it?

[Sunrise Guy]

I'm thinking about popping for one of these units, but at over three bills, I want to make sure it's worth it. Anyone in here having experience with this unit, please post and let me know what you think of it. Thanks!

 

[ASD]

www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=47021

 

[Sunrise Guy]

www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=47021

Hmmm---Nothing useful there, or am I missing something?

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I spoke, at length, with Shaun at WesSpur. He talked me out of the spider and lockjack. The spider can't be attached in-line: You need to feed the end of your rope through it. Yuck! Neither can be loaded from underneath, and I like to use the CMI foot ascender when I'm not hip-thrusting, so that's a no-go. I could go back to my Petzl handle ascender with a foot loop, placed above the jack, but I hate changing out gear to descend. He also said that when you release either of these units, you DESCEND! It takes a light touch to get a nice, easy descent. If you let go of the handle, as you hurtle down to earth, you STOP! No gentle slowing down. Your rope takes a full hit, shock-loaded. I think I'll stick with my good old Blakes hitch on my split-tail. Yeah, it might take a few seconds to tie, but I'm good and used to it, so I guess it'll be fine. I could try a Vt or other, newer hitch, but it really is a case of "If it ain't broke-----." I guess I was feeling fat and sassy after my crane gig, and I had a few extra bucks to spend. Now I think I might just get a new 2-in-1 lanyard, a new spool of throw line and a few other odds and ends. Darn! I was looking forward to some interesting, new toys.

 

[Grace Tree]

I'm not understanding what you me by not being able to load underneath. I use a pantin with a hand ascender with my LJ all the time. Everything is below the LJ, though; nothing above. Am I misunderstanding?
Phil

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I'm not understanding what you me by not being able to load underneath. I use a pantin with a hand ascender with my LJ all the time. Everything is below the LJ, though; nothing above. Am I misunderstanding?
Phil

From what I was told, today, I was led to believe that loading beneath the lj would cause it to grab the rope. I can't understand your set-up, as above.
How can you have everything (or anything) below the lj? Every set-up I've ever seen with it shows it on a carabiner clipped close to your harness. Wait---Do you have the lj that comes with an extender that allows you to use it more like a traditional hitch during hip-thrusting? I've seen that in one of the catalogs, I think Sherrill's. Let me know, as I might order that one from Sherrill. Thanks!

 

[Grace Tree]

OK, I understand. Yes, if the LJ is loaded from the bottom it grips the rope. Just think of advancing the LJ the same as advancing a hitch. Just like a hitch, everything has to happen beneath the LJ. My typical setup would be a pantin and a hand ascender. The Lockjack isn't clipped close to my saddle. I use either the long or short leg (depending on which saddle I'm using) of one of Rich_H 's Anchor bridge setups to keep the LJ up but still within reach. That allows me room underneath the LJ to use a hand ascender when climbing. When I go to work mode or it's time to descend I clip the LJ close to my saddle.
I probably haven't explained that very well but if you think of the LJ as a hitch everything in your setup is about the same.
Regards,
Phil

 

[D Mc]

Sorry I can't add any input on the Spyderjack but hopefully these pictures will show how the Lockjack Sport works in my setup (which sounds very similar to Phil's).

A couple of points, I am leaning out horizontal away from the bridge for the picture only. Also the carabiners are the smaller Am'd types (even though they look larger in the pics).

With other people I have talked to Lockjacks are either a "love 'em or hate 'em" tool. As they are so expensive it might be worth the effort to find someone who has one you can try out to see if it is something you might like.

With that said, I also don't feel that many who do try give themselves enough time to get used to it. Forgetting how long it takes to get comfortable with any new climbing technique. Some folks never stop fiddling with their VTs. Once you are comfortable with their use, Lockjacks are incredibly consistant.

 

[Grace Tree]

D Mc
That's about the same setup as I use. I had a small piece of 3/8" Amsteel that I spliced onto the grab rope. It just keeps the grab from getting clear out of reach in case my saddle rides up. It's similar to the pull rope that's on the Lockjack Twin but mine is just a short piece of slippery amsteel. All that rope and knots on the twin look like an accident waiting to happen.
Phil

 

[Sunrise Guy]

Sorry I can't add any input on the Spyderjack but hopefully these pictures will show how the Lockjack Sport works in my setup (which sounds very similar to Phil's).

A couple of points, I am leaning out horizontal away from the bridge for the picture only. Also the carabiners are the smaller Am'd types (even though they look larger in the pics).

With other people I have talked to Lockjacks are either a "love 'em or hate 'em" tool. As they are so expensive it might be worth the effort to find someone who has one you can try out to see if it is something you might like.

With that said, I also don't feel that many who do try give themselves enough time to get used to it. Forgetting how long it takes to get comfortable with any new climbing technique. Some folks never stop fiddling with their VTs. Once you are comfortable with their use, Lockjacks are incredibly consistant.

Thanks for the pics. After looking at your set-up (way too much "stuff" for me) and reading your post, I am staying with my very simple Blake's hitch. Again, thanks for your input. You saved me some $$$ and the whole return merchandise hassle.

 

[md_tree_dood]

Why don't you try a tennex with a micro pulley? It's $50 to try it and if you don't like it you can easily sell off the pulley. That system, mated with a pantin is really efficient as you step up the pulley advances your hitch.

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I use my micro to advance my hitch. It does work well. There have only been a few times where my hitch got a little too loose and slid down three or four inches before grabbing. No big deal.