spiderjack or zigzag ?

[RC0]

Doing pitchy trees all the time is somewhat of a disaster for my hitches. Its a constant thing, they can become unworkable within an hour some days. So Im thinking there may be some gains by going mechanical.

 

Which device would you guys choose and why?

 

Thanks in advance

[josharb87]

The zigzag is very user friendly, the sj took a bit of getting used too, (i never gave it enough time tbh) and was extremely jumpy on pine sapped rope-annoying so much I got angry. Haven't noticed any grabby or jumpy ness with the zigzag yet, but don't think my ropes been too sappy wet. Good on yet rope

Zigzag for me anyways, very easy to use

[jeanesy]

Pitchy? Is that another word for sappy our am I being thick?!

 

I love my spiderjack, use it for everything with its best mate the ropeguide. I love the way it self tends when coming back in from a branch and after a bit of practice, descending is so smooth and controlled.

I've only used a mates zigzag a couple of times and whilst its good I felt it didn't self tend quite as well as the sj. Although, its a lot like a hitchclimber set up so pretty easy to get the hang of straight away.

I think rope choice is pretty important to both devices though...and a ropeguide/pulleysaver is pretty vital.

[redmoosefaction]

Hi Reg I think rather than mechanical hitch you could just do with a cambium saver so your rope isn't touching the tree.

 

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[RC0]

Thanks for the replies:thumbup1:

 

Hi Reg I think rather than mechanical hitch you could just do with a cambium saver so your rope isn't touching the tree.

 

 

Wish it were that simple. Many of the firs less than 50 years old are covered in resin bubbles throughout the limbs and main stem. You rub your line on them and they burst. Cant really avoid your line rubbing on the tree for too long.

 

Come on I know lots of guys here have used both. So what do you say ? I need to decide today or tomorrow.

[silky fox]

Reg...P.m me your address and I will send you one of mine.

[redmoosefaction]

I had the zz1 but haven't tried the sj...but have gone back to a hitch climber. The zz was really snug on the rope so any gunk and that's a no no. I've just got a ropeguide which is what a sj works on,I think, which is putting a single bend in the rope, as opposed to 3 or 4 mini bends in the zz. So probably sj.

 

Hopefully someone will be able to enlighten us as I would maybe like to get a sj.

 

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[David.Robertson]

Hi reg, after watching pretty much all of your videos it's fair to say that your climbing is naturally smooth and fluid and would suit both the spider jack and the zigzag. I have both but definitely prefer the zigzag. I'd say it's more predictable and instinctive than the spider jack and definitely isn't affected as much by wet or sappy ropes as the spider jack. I use tachyon as my day to day rope and use a cambium saver whenever practical and it is a joy to use. Don't take my word as gospel, just my preference. How're you enjoying your T540xp? Tempted to swap the 201t for one. All the best.

[MWArb]

Hi reg, after watching pretty much all of your videos it's fair to say that your climbing is naturally smooth and fluid and would suit both the spider jack and the zigzag. I have both but definitely prefer the zigzag. I'd say it's more predictable and instinctive than the spider jack and definitely isn't affected as much by wet or sappy ropes as the spider jack. I use tachyon as my day to day rope and use a cambium saver whenever practical and it is a joy to use. Don't take my word as gospel, just my preference. How're you enjoying your T540xp? Tempted to swap the 201t for one. All the best.

 

Don't think you'll find anyone that'll swap with ya hahaha

 

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[kevin bingham]

Midline attachable would make me lean toward a lock jAck. But from what I understand the zz works great with an RW. Why not a uni?