Smart Belay Device

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

This is a very well designed device. It takes a little practice to get used to how it operates but once you do it becomes very easy. I really like the idea of having a non mechanical auto-locking device. Weighs much less than a Grigri. Only draw back is that each version has a range of rope. The Alpine goes from 7.5-9.5 and 8.9-10.5. I bought both. They make a single rope version that would be better suited to the rock gym. This is a great device and I would highly recommended it!

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

I had originally wanted a Gri Gri, but couldn't afford the 95 dollars at the time so I bought the Smart, and will never go back. I have had it for about a year and love every minuet of it. I was a little funky getting used to lowering people because it has a tendency to to be a little jerky until you get used to it because of the way it cams, but after a couple of times using it you get a feel for all the nuances of the device. If you want to upgrade from an ATC this would be the route to go unless you really want to waste 60 bucks at get a Gri Gri.

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

This is by far the most simple and intuitive belay device. It takes No training. Easier on your hands than any other device I've used. I like that it is lightweight. It locks quickly and easily. I highly recommend this device.

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

this belay device in my eyes is the best for its price and for what it is. it has no moving parts for dirt and grit to get inside. it locks but gives a little or no rope depending on how thick your rope is. usually on 10s it dose not give any but on 9s it does. i use it all the time on my 10.2 and i have yet to drop someone. and it feeds better than the gri gri and the cinch, and at a quarter of the price its one of the best belay device on the market.

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

Very smooth to operate, my 13 year old son has no problem using this device, to belay heavier persons. good tool to have

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

I have had the Smart for about 3 months and I love it. It locks perfectly, has softer catches than a Gri Gri, and feeds smoother than an ATC.
The previous reviewer mentioned that his does not lock completely when hangdoging, but I would disagree. With my rope (and the 3 other ropes ranging 8.9-10.2 that I have used) it locks completely.

I would definitely recommend it if you already know how to use an ATC, but I don't think it would be the best first belay device.

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

After my Trango Cinch stopped camming so well, I opted to replace it with one of these instead of another Cinch, and I'm very glad I did. This device has all the features I loved about my Cinch (autoblock, easy to give & take slack) at a significantly lower cost and weight. During falls, it clamps down tight, but if your climber rests onto the rope slowly I've noticed it doesn't clamp as hard onto the rope and will let rope slide through very slowly (not a problem at all if your hand is on the brake line where it belongs).

The biggest downsides to this device are that 1) it favors a reverse-handed belaying method (with your palm facing towards the ground), which may be uncomfortable for some, and 2) its learning curve for feeding slack and lowering smoothly were a little longer for me than a Cinch or a GriGri, but by my second day with it I'd gotten it figured out pretty well. As with most autoblockers of this style, it's only good for one rope, so it's of limited use for rappelling or multi-pitch climbing.

The other advantage this has (in my mind, anyway) over a GriGri or a Cinch is that it has zero moving parts. I was always a little nervous about taking my Cinch with me outdoors because I didn't want to gunk the camming mechanism up with dirt. With the single-piece design, there's nowhere for stuff to get stuck, so I can drop it in the mud all day long and not have to worry about it not working.

Given the low weight price, I heartily recommend this device over a GriGri or a Cinch, particularly for gym or dedicated sport climbers.

Comments about Mammut Smart Belay Device:

This device is by far the best device for the money. It locks fast and easy, and releases naturally.