In reply to treforsouthwell:
> Let me explain, the issue with gri-gri for abbing is as follows:
Before we begin, let's just remember the grigri is both a belay device and a descender; abseiling is one of its intended functions.
> 1. The handle can snag on something causing the device to unblock.
As opposed to a normal belay device, which is always unblocked? Pretty unlikely and you should be holding onto the dead rope still...
> 2. You shouldn't partially release the handle as it might damage the rope, so basically you are releasing it and using it like a normal belay plate - which could make it difficult to control for a beginner.
Abseiling is the same as lowering as far as the device is concerned. If it is OK to lower with a device, it is OK to abseil with that device.
> 3. If you want hands free (e.g. to untangle a rope) you should have a backup (e.g. a prussik), but operating a gri-gri and moving a prusski isn't easy.
Just either a) follow the approved Petzl tie-off procedure or b) tie a knot in the rope, you don't need a prussik because 99.999% of the time it doesn't slip! Using a prussik with a grigri would get about a 6.9/10 on my insanity meter...
> 4. It doesn't support smaller ropes.
A MicroJul or a Bugette doesn't support larger ropes. Try using a standard belay plate on fat muddy 12mm caving ropes and you won't get anywhere either. Using the wrong rope with a device is not a fault of the device.
> 5. It doesn't support two ropes, which is the normal way to set a retrievable abseil.
Normal, but not the only way; you can do a retrievable abseil on a single line with a knot or carabiner. This is standard practice in caving since all caving descenders are single-rope.
> 6. It's fairly heavy
And? How is this a problem for abseiling, where you are going down? :P
> 7. You shouldn't use a gri-gri to belay trad as it will shock load the system if someone takes a fall, so why are you taking an extra belay plate for your abseil when you could just have used your normal belay???
Firstly while true it probably isn't really that important 99% of the time. Secondly that's not a reason not to use it for abseiling; we normally don't use grigris for trad because you can't belay a pair of half ropes with it but the OP was talking about abseiling on accessory cord. If you've brought a static rope/cord for abseiling bringing a device just for abseiling is not that mad...
> Do you see the point?
No?