14 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
Simple but Effective
Date of Review: Oct 21, 2009
The Bottom Line: This is a very good belay device. I will use it for many years to come.
My very first time climbing I didn t get to use a simple belay device. The device I used was complicated and took me a while to figure out before I felt comfortable using it. Unlike that belay device the Blackdiamond ATC Belay Device is very user friendly and is easy for any beginner to figure out. I feel much better using this device to belay for someone and most the time I feel better when I know that my belayer is using it while I am the one climbing.
The ATC (which stands for Air Traffic Controller) has a simple design and is time tested. It has been used for many years, which to me is a very good thing because I know that it is a safe product when used properly. It is probably the most common device you will see. They use it at climbing gyms everywhere and almost every climber I know owns one.
This belay device works by shoving the rope into a tight bend where the rope rubs against the device and itself. This rubbing slows the rope during a fall. To completely stop the faller, you pull down on the loose end of the rope against the ATC. This belay device attaches to the harness of the belayer with a carabineer and is made of aluminum. The aluminum takes in heat, to keep it from damaging your rope.
They are very durable. Mine for one has survived being dropped and banged against rock walls for three years and is still in good shape. There is wear from the friction of the ropes, but that is to be expected.
Something I really like about this product is that you can get it in many different colors. I got mine in blue to match my harness (because I am a girl like that). I like that they are not an eye sore and are very sleek.
The ATC may not be good for the thinner ropes. This particular ATC doesn t have the high friction grip, so the thinner ropes are harder to keep from slipping. But for the most part the rope feeds through the ATC smoothly and when repelling the ATC prevents the rope from kinking. It holds lead falls effectively and it is light weight (only 60 grams) so you can take it virtually anywhere.
