The Microcender range are superior to a standard toothed jammer like the Basic for backup because they are much kinder to the rope under a shock load (which is a given as it is being used as a towed backup device) - they tend to slide a little first rather than rupture the rope sheath. A Troll/ISC Rocker or equivalent towed backup device is probably even better.
I think John Middendorf was instrumental in the design of the rescucender non-toothed cams?
Those Rock Exotica devices were developed from the Gibb's ascender, which I'd guess long pre-dates John. Petzl bought them ~15 years ago.
Do you mean the Kong Duck?
Therefore I would always advise following Petzl’s advice and never use a shunt, don’t be afraid to use a jammer and a low stretch rope.
Using a Microtraxion is a lot nicer than a shunt, modified GriGri etc. for TR solo.
One major access company did use the WC Ropeman as a backup device for a while and that was madness, rope shredding chaos every test I did on it.
For 7 years every company I worked for had a Stop on the main rope and Shunt on the safety. Sounds like you’re saying that is bad practice (the Shunt as back up on a cow’s tail)
The thing I like about the Shunt is if I have to reverse a couple of moves, to a rest for instance, I can easily slide it down the rope. Can you do that with the MT?
but since about five years ago you're highly unlikely to see a Shunt on site. They have been banned in our training centre since ~2012.
I'm also getting more curious about lead soloing, prompted by routes like Militia at the G-Spot where it's basically the only route there and be layers may be reluctant.
Ultimately I'd like a device to replace the Grigri, that'll slide on a semi static, that I can also use for conventional belaying on a skinny. I'm also getting more curious about lead soloing, prompted by routes like Militia at the G-Spot where it's basically the only route there and be layers may be reluctant.
That looks suspiciously like a rocker. The Kong is far superior.
What about MT and Trango Vergo. I have a Cinch which I vastly prefer to the grigri and intend to test it out ASAP as it looks like it will self feed in a way that the grigri won’t. Vergo looks a significant upgrade https://weighmyrack.com/Belay/Trango-Vergo