Zigzag or Lockjack?

[Mountain man]

I'm on a ZZ, I notice in work pictures that get posted here and on various FB forums that are springing up, the ZZ is appearing a lot.

A lot of people are against them but they're here, and here to stay

[Joe Newton]

I'm on a ZZ, I notice in work pictures that get posted here and on various FB forums that are springing up, the ZZ is appearing a lot.

A lot of people are against them but they're here, and here to stay

 

 

I think they're so popular because they perform so much like a hitch. I've no doubt that they are a great bit of kit (before they break).

 

For some reason I feel that the SJ is (for me at least) more intuitive, as the friction from the thumb pad can be controlled more delicately.

[Mountain man]

That's exactly why I bought it, as close to a blakes as I could get.

Like you say that probably pressed the same buttons for a lot of people.

[silky fox]

I agree the SJ is intuitive Joe and i got a couple of years learning to master it but since moving to a Zigazag i could never go back as i feel it's more controllable,ergonimic and in my opinion so much smoother (with a skinny rope and pulley) than a Spiderjack...or a Lockjack for that matter. And it can be mastered in a short space of time.....

[Joe Newton]

I agree the SJ is intuitive Joe and i got a couple of years learning to master it but since moving to a Zigazag i could never go back as i feel it's more controllable,ergonimic and in my opinion so much smoother (with a skinny rope and pulley) than a Spiderjack...or a Lockjack for that matter. And it can be mastered in a short space of time.....

 

 

Funny you should mention skinny rope. My 11mm velocity was a dream on the SJ, but horrible on the ZZ, which is designed for 11.7mm.

 

I've no doubt that they're both excellent devices, and their popularity speaks volumes, but for the money they aren't any better than my hitchclimber!

[QuattroKev]

Newbie question, on this subject...

 

If you are climbing with any of these mechanical devices, what do you do before you have a top anchor point? Because you can't climb off both ends of the rope? Am I correct?

 

So are they only suitable if you are using an accurate throw line every time? Rather than climbing both ends with prusiks?

 

Soz for the post hijack

[Mountain man]

I use a wire core flip line as a second tie in.

[Joe Newton]

Newbie question, on this subject...

 

If you are climbing with any of these mechanical devices, what do you do before you have a top anchor point? Because you can't climb off both ends of the rope? Am I correct?

 

So are they only suitable if you are using an accurate throw line every time? Rather than climbing both ends with prusiks?

 

Soz for the post hijack

 

 

Use a lanyard???

[Jammydogg]

Zigzag all the way! Beautiful control, up and down, and stays the same in the wet! Can't praise it enough, have to agree with the fact it's better on a thinner rope. 👍

[Joe Newton]

Zigzag all the way! Beautiful control, up and down, and stays the same in the wet! Can't praise it enough, have to agree with the fact it's better on a thinner rope. 👍

 

 

You used it without a Mewp yet?