In the market for some new screws. Anybody used the Grivel 720 screws?
I've used the Camp Rocket Plus ice screws a bit this season which I really like. Quite sold on the in situ quickdraw. They rack really nicely as well via the dyneema loop and 6 screws on a standard Petzl ice clipper is no problem. Only downside (and a bit of a deal breaker for me) is the length of the fixed handle when needing to place screws in tight placements in heavily featured water steep ice. It doesn't have enough clearance for my liking when winding, and I needed to run it out a bit a few weeks ago as a result, which wasn't ideal.
I like that the Grivel model overcomes the above issue with the hinged winder. They're also much cheaper currently via the places I normally order from. Have a few major concerns though.
They are going to hang lower on the harness due to the carabiner attachment, and dangle a bit more, but not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing, since my existing screws enjoy stabbing my Goretex salopetes. My totems probably hang a bit lower and this has never been as issue. Any user feedback about this?
Also a bit concerned about the handling and placement. The carabiner attachment presumably means I am going to have to change grip to place the ice screw, and I wonder if the lack fixed handle makes the screw harder to grip when first getting it to bite?
Leading up to WI6 these days, so efficient handling and placement is quite important to me. Great to hear from anybody with any relevant info re the above questions. Thanks.