Personally I'd snap up one of the bargain ION 2s from CragX
Thin, But not scary thin
A good budget option you didn't mention is the Edelrid Python 9.8mm - I have an 80m one that I have used for overseas trips (at least 2 months of solid climbing) and it shows no real signs of wear - not needed chopping at all.
That'll be the velocity (and what I'm leaning to after climbing on one yesterday). (well handling 9.8mm £180)
I went for the "Climax" from Mammut. At £96 for an 80m it was hard not to (Rock and Run).http://www.rockrun.com/deals/climbing-ropes/mammut-climax-9-6-x-80mOther options were an Edelrid at ~£145, Revelation ~£160 and the Velocity £180 (all R+R). All coming in at around 9.5-9.8mm diameter.First impressions are that it's a blue rope with a bit of an odd name.
Anyone used one of these? http://www.bananafingers.co.uk/edelrid-viper-96mm-ts-p-1321.html £106 for a 70m; or one of these? http://www.rockrun.com/rock-climbing/software/climbing-ropes/edelweiss-energy-9-5mm-70m
Anyone used one of these? http://www.bananafingers.co.uk/edelrid-viper-96mm-ts-p-1321.html £106 for a 70m; or one of these? http://www.rockrun.com/rock-climbing/software/climbing-ropes/edelweiss-energy-9-5mm-70mI have to say I'm tempted to pay the extra 20-odd quid for the energy, though the stated diameter is only 0.1mm different, it is 2g/m lighter. I've not been hugely impressed with Sterling velocity, it is ok, but not, in my experience worth the extra they charge for them. Any other recommendations 9.4-9.8mm, 70 or 80m?
[I bought a load of ropes for my uni a few years ago, so I've used a couple of edelrid ~£50-80 gooutdoors ones, and some of those nice shiny mammut 9.3 ones. The cheap edelrids were hands down better, I'd probably get one again. Don't know if they make all their ropes to that standard though. The ones I had were 9.8-10mm I think, but they felt thin for that.
I'll steer clear of Millet then: are they the Decathlon ones?
Anyone know who makes Millet ropes?