Rope Advance When Using the 'O' Rig

[R Mac]

Sure they do, for me. The VT is a pretty sporty knot. It's self tends well, and is responsive. It just doesn't always bite, which can be worrying if you're new to the system. I guess it depends on how many wraps/braids you put on.

 

A distel or Knut bites more reliably, making it more suitable to people getting used to the system. Doesn't always self tend as well as the VT though.

 

Forget the o-rig. Get a pantin instead.

 

Trying to convince me to buy new kit? excellent, if my wife finds out I'll just say the devil made me do it

[Brocky]

The length of the eye tails after tying the VT also effect it's performance; longer tails make it easier to move but the hitch might not grab every time. Shorter tails will bite every time but moving the hitch is harder.

 

Knotting the eyes makes it easier to get the right length, as I see you do.

[R Mac]

I'm not sure what length I ended up with on that one, I did buy 2 eye to eye prussiks for my lanyard and flipline, went 75cm and 85cm to see which one worked best. It ended up with the 85 on the flipline and the 75 on the lanyard, both are 4 wrap/3 tresse (or is it 3/3?) but there doesn't seem to be a noticeable difference between them although the 85cm on the flipline obviously has longer tails.

 

It seems like there's a lot of variation with the VT, rope compatability, VT diameter, climbing rope diameter, number of wraps/tresses, tresse crossover, ie left tail always on top or left tail alternating over/under, tail length etc. It looks like it's just one of those things that you adjust until it's right.

[Rich Rule]

That is why some love the VT. Almost infinite options to get it how you wish. That is also the very same reason quite a few people don't like the VT.