Here are some thoughts that I have gathered after a season of working with the microtraxion in alpine terrain. patron: / ryantilleyclimbinganda... Instagram: rtillson_
Mostly agree with your thoughts here. I got the nano because it was cheaper and I am a broke uni student, so I thought "but who needs a non-capturing pulley anyway". In hindsight I should've gotten the micro due to its higher versatility and efficiency (bigger diameter sheaves (what you call barrels) are also more efficient). Nonetheless, as you say the Nano is good if you carry it only for emergency, so I always bring it with me on multi-pitch rock routes or glacier terrain as a 'just in case' to, for example, reascend ropes or simple rescues.
Thanks Ryan. What do you think about using a microtraxion and a nanotraxion for top-rope solo as opposed to two microtaxions? Currently I borrow a friend's micro in addition to mine for the dual setup and and I am thinking of getting a nano to use with my micro for top-rope solo.
I use one of each for top rope solo and it works fine but I feel like the micro is easier to use when transitioning at the anchor. The nano is harder to operate after a good climb and the teeth sometimes cut up my fingers.
I'd love to hear people's opinions on the Edelrid Spoc vs Microtraxion. I own the spoc and I don't understand why anyone would opt for the Microtrax over it. It's lighter, cheaper, and you can toggle the cam lock with gloves on better than the Microtrax. Is it purely because of the diameter of the pulley wheel?
Just bought a spoc, it's fantastic and lighter than the microtrax. I actually like the little pull string on the spoc, I find it less fiddly to lock open especially with gloves on than lifting the cam on the microtrax. I now carry the spoc for glacier travel and only use my microtrax for top rope soloing or simul climbing if I need multiple progress captures. Not a fan of the nano trax for TRS or rock in general, as I like to be able to lock the teeth open and it sucks on fatter ropes, but I guess that would be the lightest option for glacier travel / crevasse rescue.
Mostly agree with your thoughts here. I got the nano because it was cheaper and I am a broke uni student, so I thought "but who needs a non-capturing pulley anyway". In hindsight I should've gotten the micro due to its higher versatility and efficiency (bigger diameter sheaves (what you call barrels) are also more efficient). Nonetheless, as you say the Nano is good if you carry it only for emergency, so I always bring it with me on multi-pitch rock routes or glacier terrain as a 'just in case' to, for example, reascend ropes or simple rescues.
Do the sharp spikes in the devices damage the dry treatment of the rope in any way?
No
Thanks Ryan. What do you think about using a microtraxion and a nanotraxion for top-rope solo as opposed to two microtaxions?
Currently I borrow a friend's micro in addition to mine for the dual setup and and I am thinking of getting a nano to use with my micro for top-rope solo.
That would totally work. The nano is just smaller. I would do the micro because you can lock the pulley teeth open
I use one of each for top rope solo and it works fine but I feel like the micro is easier to use when transitioning at the anchor. The nano is harder to operate after a good climb and the teeth sometimes cut up my fingers.
I'd love to hear people's opinions on the Edelrid Spoc vs Microtraxion. I own the spoc and I don't understand why anyone would opt for the Microtrax over it. It's lighter, cheaper, and you can toggle the cam lock with gloves on better than the Microtrax. Is it purely because of the diameter of the pulley wheel?
Just bought a spoc, it's fantastic and lighter than the microtrax. I actually like the little pull string on the spoc, I find it less fiddly to lock open especially with gloves on than lifting the cam on the microtrax. I now carry the spoc for glacier travel and only use my microtrax for top rope soloing or simul climbing if I need multiple progress captures. Not a fan of the nano trax for TRS or rock in general, as I like to be able to lock the teeth open and it sucks on fatter ropes, but I guess that would be the lightest option for glacier travel / crevasse rescue.
"Barrel" is sheave or wheel