Neox

I just did a little digging around and Petzl says it's safe to belay from the top with a Neox as with a Grigri. They just emphasize to keep a hand on the brake strand as always. I much prefer using my ATC guide for all top belays and rappels. It pretty much mitigates any possibility of an ABD gettin

the only main difference is that the Neox has a spinning wheel that makes it easier to lead belay Also makes misuse way more dangerous in many cases. Most assisted belay devices have a slight chance of locking up even if you didn't hold the brake rope (in no circumstance you should let go of the bra

Personally, I prefer autotube-style devices (ATC Pilot, Mega Jul, Smart etc.) over the Grigri. The position for holding the device open is far more intuitive and also makes it easier to control the brake strand at the same time. I started with a Giga Jul (it's unfortunately very picky with ropes and

Petzl neox avoids the bad manoeuvers you can have with a grigri

Think of the mechanism for a second (it's basically the same in both Grigri and Neox), what would cause it to trigger if the brake strand isn't being loaded during a fall? In Grigri it's friction inside the mechanism that can trigger it but they've practically removed that option with the Neox as th

Just to validate the perspective, from the technical notice that petzl publishes: If the belayer does not hold the brake side of the rope, the rope tension is insufficient to raise the wheel and initiate blocking. The GriGri notice is slightly different. If the belayer does not hold the brake side o

Point to where I say the critiques of the vergo or tube devices are mechanical? I highlighted user habits with regard to hand and body placement. The vergo is designed for you to stand parallel with the wall, it is users who choose not to. All of the devices are designed for you to control the brake

Same… I was thinking about getting Petzl Neox, but don’t really see any big advantages. Both are very safe devices.

Because assisted braking devices are both safer (will USUALLY work even if you screw up) and more convenient (little to no hand strength required to stop a fall or hold a hanging climber). That applies both to grigri-style devices (I don't really like the Grigri TBH) and to autotube-style devices (I

neox is better than a grigri. It's more idiot proof. other non-petzl assisted devices are supposed to be good as well - there are some you can even use with two ropes for trad.