JeffGu

I've noticed that mine doesn't like sap, but no other problems with it. I just don't use it in conifers anymore. Seems to like any 24-strand double-braid between 11.5mm and 11.8mm but not slick kernmantles. I think Rock Exotica will fine tune some of that. Doubles as a keychain.

Thinking about picking one of these up... I have several ZigZags, might give the SRT arrangement another try with this. I have an Akimbo that I'm happy with, but I use multiple lines quite a bit and this might be fun to play with some more. Didn't much like it with a stiff rope tether, but the aluminum one looks like it might work better. ZigZag Tether

I find it easier to use a neck tether attached to the RopeWrench to advance the hitch climber. Attaching to the pulley puts too much flex and drag on the setup, because the stiff tether has to push the RW up the rope. Easier to pull the mess up the rope, for me. The neck tether is bungee cord inside rope cover, so it doesn't interfere with the RW/hitch operation when you sit back into the system.

It tips the bottom of the ZZ in, toward the rope. This causes the swivel harness attachment point to be forced outward against the housing, putting more lateral stress on the (about 5/16" diameter) stem of the swivel loop (carabiner attachment). I played with it for a day and decided it wasn't worth the risk.. I'm not sure that aluminum piece won't snap if you shock loaded the line a bit. It does, however, work. Petzl says SRT is ok with a munter hitch to take some of the friction off the device (essentially the same thing the RW is doing) so lots of folks take this to imply that use with the RW is safe. Petzl seems silent on the subject, so who knows? If not for the issue with the swivel, I wouldn't hesitate to use the configuration, myself.

I don't have the MS-150TC, I've got the little Echo CS-271T.. uses 3/8" picco (lo pro) chain.. weighs about 6.5 lbs. and I love the thing. It has not, however, replaced my Silky or other handsaws. I just can't see that ever happening. When I don't think I'll need the curved blade Silky, I still take a 12" straight blade handsaw up with me. So many situations where I'd rather hang the chainsaw on my belt and finish the backcut with the handsaw. Like others have said, sometimes pruning just seems to go better, and fewer hassles, without the ear muffs and faceshield. Safety glasses and a helmet without the extra stuff. Here's the little Echo next to a Stihl 201T...

I currently own the CS-590 and CS-271T Echo saws... all my others are Stihl saws. I can't say anything bad about the Echos. The little tophandle I just recently bought because it was considerably cheaper than the MS-150T Stihl that I was considering. Starts up right off, runs great. Lighter than my Stihl tophandle saws (although a tad heavier than the MS-150T) and I'm growing rather fond of the little thing. Cannon bar is available for it, and I run Stihl chain on it. Kept the original bar and chain for backup.

I joined, and am here, purely for research purposes. I heard a rumor that Brit arborists wear funny pants while climbing, and wanted to see for myself. So, if you wear funny pants with sparkling bits and rainbow suspenders while climbing, I want to see the pictures.