On 25-26th January UKC were invited to the launch of the forthcoming Petzl GRIGRI+, which is due to hit the shops in April this year. Here's a preview of what we thought, ahead of our more in depth Assisted Braking Device Comparison review that will be published later this year.
Just pulled up Petzl UK website trying to find a price & it says Grigri+ "optimized for 8.9 to 10.5mm", whereas your article says "8.5-11mm" for the Grigri+ (and "8.9-11mm" for the GRIGRI 2). https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Sport/New/GRIGRI-PLUS#.WLAeXTsrJEY
Sorry to pick nits...could you clarify???
Also, whilst you're on, is there going to be much of a price difference between the 2 and the +?
In reply to Kean: The GRIGRI 2 is optimised for 9.4 mm to 10.3 mm ropes, while the GRIGRI+ is optimised for 8.9 to 10.5mm diameters.
Petzl also say that the GRIGRI 2 'may be used on all 8.9 to 11 mm dynamic single ropes' and 8.5-11mm for the GRIGRI+, in other words you can use a wider range of ropes but they optimise as above.
Suggested retail price for the existing GRIGRI 2 is £60, and the GRIGRI+ will be £85
Surely belaying is so important it must be kept as simple as possible? There are already enough morons who think a GriGri is bomb-proof without adding new buttons, features etc.
Hopefully this will prove about as popular as that Edelrid 'mega-jul' from a few years back; another example of needless over-complication that lulls people into complacency.
The Mad Rock Lifeguard looks like it might be a better bet, no flap to cut off/modify and the rope can´ t get behind the handle as far as I can tell. Fitting a suspension cord might be more of a challenge though!
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