This is a cool little piece. Easy rappelling, fairly easy belaying - except I'm a bit on the small side, so, I have to work a little harder at that. Compared to a figure eight, I feel the eight has a smoother, faster run. The ATC locks way quicker - could be good and bad. ATC is much lighter. The eight seems to twist the rope quite a bit more, however, the ATC may crimp it a bit?.. I think for the price, both styles are a must.

Customer Service

Nothin.

Similar Products Used:

Figure eights.

Quite a nice device. It feed the rope very quickly and smoothly, and brakes okay. It might not be suitable for icy or very thin ropes.

Similar Products Used:

Wild Country VC, Sticht Plate etc.

Great belay device. Very smooth, light weight, simple, easy to use. It has just the right amount of friction for belaying and rapelling.

I dare anyone to say anything bad about the Air Traffic Controller. If someone mentions any belay or rappell problems, it's generally human error. This device is so smooth, it locks down great, weighs hardly anything, you can clip into it without removing it from the belay biner, and it's so easy to use that only an imbecile couldn't figure it out. Before you leave the ground on your next climb, make sure you have one of these attached to your harness

Similar Products Used:

BRD, SBG, Jaws, Grigri, Variable Controller, Pyramid, Super 8, Rescue Eight, and Sticht Plate

Generally a good belay device. requires a bit more brake hand force to hold a leader, but that also makes for a softer fall arrest, just make sure you wear gloves. paying out rope is easy and smooth. Since it is thin walled it gets hotter than other devices. Don't use it for long rappels or go fast, you'll toast your tips at the bottom.

Similar Products Used:

Omega's SBD (name ?), grigris, BD super eight.

it's easy to use, it's light, it's cheap and it's better than a figure eight. even those with little belay experience can quickly learn to operate this safely. I've not used it as a repelling device yet, but for it's belaying characteristics, it works fabulously.

Customer Service

no contact with the manufacturer yet, haven't needed to.

Similar Products Used:

None

The ATC was included in the BD Momentum harness package.
It it very lightweight and works very well. It also dissapates heat fairly effectively.
The ATC style belay devices forces the rope to wear down the locking biners more than the belay device. Where as Figure 8 style belay devices recieve all of the rope wear while the biner recieves none. The ATC style devices are more cost effective in this manner since biners are cheaper to replace. Of course, neither style will wear out very quickly.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Black Diamond Super 8