Review Date
May 4, 2008

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: flexiflyer ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $24.00 at REI

Summary:
The PETZL Reverso has been a great devise over the past year. I noticed (in the middle of a 3-pitch) a dangerous trait... The edge where the rope goes to the climber has worn and become very sharp.
I hope all will check their devices.
It is hard to rate this to highly and value wise, any belay/rap device that sharpens with use is not good in my book.
Let others know if you experience the same.
I love my Gri-Gri!!

Customer Service:
.....

Similar Products Used:
METOLIUS BRD, BD ATC, PETZL Gri-Gri

Review Date
February 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Michael Karlovich(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from San Francisco, Ca

Price Paid:  $15.00 at some tiny gearshop i

Summary:
I won't repeat all that's been said below. This is a great device for use with twin or double ropes, especially when belaying two seconds, especially when using the auto-locking configuration. You can't blindly trust the autolock, yet I've never had it fail -keep an eye on it especially when ropes ice up, and make sure that the biner used for locking is in straight and you will have no issues. For single rope climbing, it can also be nice because of the autolocking feature. I find it more difficult to get it set up for a double rope rappel than a simpler Trango that I have.

Review Date
September 23, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Scott (Unregistered User) ,  Climber

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is a fine piece of equipment. i have actually used this device very little for belaying leaders, but have quite a bit of experience belaying followers on double and single ropes. the pros:
1.very fast. if you can rig it so the reverso is above your shoulders, you can really take in line quickly--much faster than belaying from harness
2.i have 9mm doubles and they feed flawlessly
3.has two rap modes--one for a fast rappel and one for slow. this works in that the tube is beveled at different angles, which apply different levels of friction to the rope. i have yet to notice a substantial difference--rapping on 9mm's is always fast!
some other considerations: this device is pretty tricky to operate when its lying against the rock face; try to avoid this as it probably compromises strength, too.
before i got this, i had read that it was very difficult to unlock your second if he/she has fallen and needs slack. this is actually quite easy: you can utilize a simple 2 to 1 pulley off the "active" biner to unlock the weight.
using a single rope i usually prefer a munter hitch, but the reverso doesnt twist the rope like the munter.

the bottom line: if you plan to use double ropes a lot, and are a big fan of belaying off the anchor, the reverso is a supreme tool! i feel that simpler devices (ATC, or any tube-style) will feed rope better for belaying. the reverso does rap very smoothly and snarl-free.

Review Date
May 23, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Mattias(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Leuven, Belgium

Price Paid:  $19.00 at Kariboe

Summary:
This is a breakthrough in belaying, a real alternative for the figure 8 or HMS. Belaying the leader or one or two seconds is really easy. Autolocking (works like a plate), rappel and ascender mode work very fine as well.

You just have to admit it, with the Reverso Petzl made the next big thing since the figure 8. I'm really impressed and happy I bought one.

Similar Products Used:
Gri-gri, 8, HMS, Magic

Review Date
February 26, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Jon Jonckers(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Spokane

Price Paid:  $21.00 at Mountain Gear

Summary:
Petzl owns the market as far as rope handling devices are concerned. For that matter, Grigris are so common that one would guess they are contender for the all time greatest belay device. Still not satisfied, Petzl built a better mouse trap and called the Reverso. No other device can belays a leader, or belays two following climbers (with an auto locking setup), and still rappels as smooth as a rappel rack. Even if you're a rope expert, I encourage you to read the instructions carefully and thoroughly because it's easy to be confused - yet once the setup is mastered I promise you will be impressed (and your belay stations might even be a bit tidier and safer)

Customer Service:
great every time

Similar Products Used:
ATC, Grigri, Jaws, BRD, Sticht Plate, Variable Controler and the immmortal figure eight