[MCR] Smart

Subject: [MCR] Smart
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:48:51 -0600
As a Reply to Mike Koppang's request for information on the "Smart" belay 
device.

I have been using the Mammut Smart recreationally for almost a year now and 
actually quite like it. While it won't replace the GRIGRI I think it makes a 
great alternative, and worth trying. Just like the GRIGRI it had a learning 
curve to be able to feed slack efficiently and lower smoothly but I learned 
quickly how to make it work well. A special note that I would like to emphasize 
from the instruction manual is that one is never to lift up on the 'lever' but 
to pull it forward (away from your body), both while lowering and feeding 
slack. Lifting the lever up effectively creates a hair trigger, it goes from 
locked off to open in a few degrees where pulling it outwards gives very fine 
control of a lower. Feeding slack is just as easy, pull it away with brake hand 
and pull slack with free hand. Like a hybrid between a Tuber and the GRIGRI the 
brake hand stays on the lever; however like a Tuber, the hand position on the 
lever is the same for resting and giving slack. (where as w
 ith the GRIGRI a second hand position is needed to feed slack quickly, in 
contrast to the brake position) I have both the GriGri and the Smart, and 
prefer the smart for toprope and sport climbing. Hope that helps. 

Colin Hoglund
TRCI/CGI1
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