Stick with HC or switch to ZZ?

[Steve Bullman]

Everytime  I finish a climb I slide the zigzag back up to the spliced eye as im retrieving the rope so not being midline attachable is a non issue.

 

There will be a period of adjustment in your muscles when you switch to a smaller diameter rope but you will adjust, assuming you are reasonably fit and strong.  Do you wear gloves?  This makes a big difference to grip.

 

Also you will really notice the difference in rope drag between 11.7mm and 13mm.

[Mick Dempsey]

My zz stays on my medium rope, real tiddlers I’ll use a Blake’s and if it’s a biggy I’ll swap the zz onto the long rope, no issues.

 

I left the zz on a job and had to use a Blake’s on a decent size tree on Friday.

 

It was ok if I’m honest, it’s not how quickly you get there, it’s what you do when you’re there that matters. 

 

I was sure to go back and get it this morning though!

Edited November 24, 2018 by Mick Dempsey

[swinny]

Balls to a ZZ Rick, get yourself a spiderjack 2.1 only 149 ish plus vat at jonesies

[treevolution]

I use the ZZ a lot and is a great bit of gear but when you get the VT right a HC I feel is just as good as a ZZ.

 

Saying that the ZigZag works the same every day what ever the conditioned.

 

I would go with getting the ZZ as a replacement if you want to try something new, but if you're someone that feels more comfortable climbing on a hitch then go for the HC.

 

There is also meant to be a new HC pulley being released soon that looks a good upgrade.

[TIMON]

Also interested in the Zigzag when my 13mm new England is out of date. Just concerned, I love 13mm rope, does 11.7 feel much different when pulling on the hands? Is descent that much faster than a prussik? I was hoping they would have done a ZZ more suited to 13mm rope. Does it seem a pain on small climbs having to pass the whole rope through the ZZ? I normally just use a prussik and add a pulley on larger trees.

13mm on a zigzag is a nightmare. I watched my mate struggle with it for a few months before he changed to 11.7 mm

[Husqvarna King]

5 minutes ago, TIMON said:

 

13mm on a zigzag is a nightmare. I watched my mate struggle with it for a few months before he changed to 11.7 mm

 

That's what I'd heard, was hoping they'd do a slightly larger version for 13mm.... But nothing as yet

[Gnarlyoak]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom.

 

Bullet bitten, ZZ ordered. Also ordered a replacement HC, for £40 for pulley & some cord seemed a bit churlish not to. Least it gives me options to play around with whilst I get use to another new climbing technique!

[maybelateron]

Definitely go the ZZ route. I used Blakes hitch for years and was slow to change to slack tender pulley. Then moved on to ZZ, would never go back now. I also love the ART positioner with swivel for my strop.

 

Any kit like this can can help me keep climbing at 58 is a good thing!

[maybelateron]

Forgot to add that with the ZZ or the ART positioner (I guess same for various other mechanical devices) the problem of resin on the rope when working on Conifers etc is nothing like as bad as with rope hitches which refuse to run smoothly once they have sap/resin on them.

[Vespasian]

If I'm not mistaken, Zigzag are bringing out an add so you can use it SRT..    a consideration perhaps...