Friend bought some of the alphas specifically for sports holiday in November, they're nice, handle well, although the gate didn't work too well with a clipstick straight off (could be down to the wire 'catch' on the clip stick having been over used, bending it a bit a few weeks ago at LPT seemed to sort it).
Quote from: slackline on December 24, 2013, 09:37:37 amFriend bought some of the alphas specifically for sports holiday in November, they're nice, handle well, although the gate didn't work too well with a clipstick straight off (could be down to the wire 'catch' on the clip stick having been over used, bending it a bit a few weeks ago at LPT seemed to sort it).I really like using the alphas. The gates can be a bit springy when new for an old clipstick but it's a couple of seconds work with pliers to restore the catch on the clipstick to usefulness. The gates seem to relax as well after a while - mine now have no problems with even battered clipsticks (though I always carry a few wire-gates just in case). A friend has some of the new lightweight Petzl spirits and those are very nice too - not much in it so price would be my guide.Lengthwise, I'd recommend a good mixture if possible but it's all a matter of personal taste. I'm a bit of a coward so tend to carry lots of 10cm quickdraws as I find them more reassuring (my rack is usually half 10cm, and a quarter each 15cm and 20cm). Less mentally frail people would probably carry far more longer quickdraws.
You don't fall as far.