The Lov devices are interesting, but there are several other industrial devices out there that are great (check out https://www.iscwales.com for rope grabs), as well as other devices from Petzl like the ASAP or Rescucender, but they're all very niche, and only the most dedicated loner/soloiest is going to buy one to try out. A Shunt is about €50 while the Lov is €250, and I think although the Lov might have a tiny number of people self lining with it, the Shunt has tens of thousands over three or four decades (one reason we're so aware of the Shunt shortfalls is due to the thousands of hours of use). I must have five or six rope soloing devices in my climbing chest, and yet the main rope soloing (lead) device is probably the Grigri, due to low price, ease of purchase, and the fact climbers know how to handle it, something that does not apply to a Silent Partner, Soloaid, Soloist etc.
I tend to use ATC in autoblock mode clipped to belay loop + adding some backups knots every X meters (while either hanging on rope powerless or standing good to use both hands). You constantly have to pull the free rope through the device by one hand but after some practice it's quick and I consider it some analogue of clipping. But it looks so bomber and easy to do.
I wonder how many people reply regards the taz Lov2 ( lov3 is now just out but no experience with it)
Based on Craig Spauldings write ups on the product I bought one and use it as primary with the Rollnlock as secondary
Have introduced it to others In Ireland
Feels like the best combo out there for the purpose ( slightly expensive being the only drawback)
Just be interested if others reply to your post , on the use of such a device certified for both ascension and descending in TRS
The Lov devices are interesting, but there are several other industrial devices out there that are great (check out https://www.iscwales.com for rope grabs), as well as other devices from Petzl like the ASAP or Rescucender, but they're all very niche, and only the most dedicated loner/soloiest is going to buy one to try out. A Shunt is about €50 while the Lov is €250, and I think although the Lov might have a tiny number of people self lining with it, the Shunt has tens of thousands over three or four decades (one reason we're so aware of the Shunt shortfalls is due to the thousands of hours of use). I must have five or six rope soloing devices in my climbing chest, and yet the main rope soloing (lead) device is probably the Grigri, due to low price, ease of purchase, and the fact climbers know how to handle it, something that does not apply to a Silent Partner, Soloaid, Soloist etc.
Thanks Andy
There is an annual survey on the TRS forum
Though I think it’s not a great sample , it’s probably the biggest group of people interested in TRS
Microtrax is by far the biggest primary device in use by practitioners
https://www.surveylegend.com/s/2hri
I'm also a big fan of the Taz (Lov2 in my case). Honestly I don't really use any backup device with it. A couple of knots maybe.
I use it on a Petzl safebiner with a rubber stopper and 2 rubber bands on each side which connect to my chestharness to hold the biner up.
The rope I have is a Simmond 10mm dynamic which doesn't squeeze together much.
I really like this setup, easy to transfer from climbing to descending and vice versa.
I ve used the Shunt backed up by MicroTraction before. There's no comparison.
I have the TazLov3 with a setup similar to Gerrit (semi-static rope)...agree on all the commentary about this device...thanks
In the Ouray Ice park the CAMP Goblin became pretty popular for use as a top rope soloing device.https://camp-usa.com/safety/product/goblin/
according to CAMP it needs to be used on a semi static rope.
I tend to use ATC in autoblock mode clipped to belay loop + adding some backups knots every X meters (while either hanging on rope powerless or standing good to use both hands). You constantly have to pull the free rope through the device by one hand but after some practice it's quick and I consider it some analogue of clipping. But it looks so bomber and easy to do.
I seem to remember that the downside with that system is if you somehow flip upside down the ATC releases? (maybe I'm wrong...but don't try!).