After many many years in Rope Access, Rescue and establishing rock climbs, far and away the best descender out there in my opinion. Just got one last week unseen as it appeared to be exactly what I want to replace the MacPreztl crap that is shipped to jobs on my harness and most companies use. I've put my money where my mouth is and am replacing every Petzl item on my harness with better gear. I decided to try the Druid Pro without ever holding one in my hand. I must say after 70 rope hours of work this last week, up and down, it's easily the best I've ever used, bar none. Yes, I have tried a lot of them. Now when I pick up the new Preztl Pig or I'D-iot for other rigging purposes... they seem like cheap pieces of junk as compared with the flawless quality, design and machining by CAMP. Well done, I'll give it 6 out of 5 stars. ha ha. Treat yourself, you deserve it.
Brian warshow ehhh not all PETZL equipment is bad. As an instructor it is easier to teach new level 1s with the newer PETZL designs of descenders for the simple reason of not having to remove the device off a harness to put the rope in properly. This is a good positioning device for aid climbing applications. I love CAMP devices as an experienced climber but not for a novice. Just my opinion not pooping on CAMP at all I love their harnesses instead of the new PETZL Astro 🤢🤮
@@vladimirlopez7840 The GriGri is no descender although Petzl says it could be used to descend when using a prusik-knot as a break. It's a really decent safety tool for Rock Climbing but nothing more. Using it as a descender is not recommended for untrained people. If you're starting i would get a Petzl ID with Panic safety. Trust me, when i started i often pulled the lever back and i was happy that i got the panic safety. I would never trust a GriGri fully without a second safety break and thats not what i want from a descender.
Hey Brian, are you still satisfied with your Druid? I need a new descender and i'm not sure if i should take the well known rig or the Druid. The Druid seems to be smaller and lighter while the rig has a "working" position which brakes it and you dont have to tie it off like the druid when staying in a working position. I'm no professional user but a geocacher and climber with the need for a light but safe descender which can climb in combination with an ascender. I use 11mm ropes and i don't wan't to activate the panic brake everytime while descending. I'm still mit sure if i should try the Druid, but also wondering if i just tend to use petzl since it's industry standart and also wondering if i need the "Stop"-Position at all while not staying in one position for hours. But i tend to build in my Rope protectors while Standing at the Edge, using both hands and therefore not using my right hand for braking. I also wonder if the lever ist too small, but i only use two fingers on the Petzl's levers.
@@SGWChaosteam Hello Seb. In answer to your question, there are two models of the Druid. The "Pro" version does not have a "panic" feature on the handle and does not require tying off the control rope for work positioning. It does take a moment to change the muscle memory loading the rope as it is different from the open face design of the ID or RIG. As for limited ascending with a handle ascender it does have more friction than the rig and can be a bit fussier at first. In terms of the handle activation is concerned the handle is a bit shorter and requires a tad bit more pull to open the cam. I normally use my palm (face down) to pressure the handle. It seems to work nicely, and never panics out repeatedly. The Druid has not shown any wear after many long descents as opposed to the fast wearing and expensive to replace Petzl offerings. It will outlast several ID's or RIgs. As a climber you may like the compact design and I can say that CAMP is a fantastic company to deal with should you need, with Peztl not so much. By the way, the only people who consider Petzl the "industry standard" is the Petzl marketing department. MacDonald's is surely the industry standard for hamburgers but they are still shit. Good luck hunting for your preferred descender. ISC offers up a good descender (D4) as well but I find it very heavy and a bit "panicky", some really like the Sparrow as well. Good stuff out there, but so far the Druid has treated me well. Cheers!
Better descender than any Petzl offering. As a descender or "grillion replacement. Actually The Beal Birdy is smaller and even better as a replacement grillion. Good stuff out there, Petzl's days are over.
Camp Goblin stuff is beautifully made and works well, unfortunately it's of no use for rescue crews who tend to use bigger ropes as the tolerances are too small, I had to sell my Camp fall arrest device for this very reason.
@@StaggerLee68 yes i agree as we have been doing it for years but its an exciting change using the akimbo in twin rope it totally takes the chest ascender out of the equation, it doesn't mean you cant keep it on your harness as an extra
@@claudeanthony468 Rock makes beautiful stuff. I wonder how it would be for longer descents though. As well, I prefer working in ascent and a changeover takes only a few seconds. Nice piece of gear for only $350 though, haha.
Looks like was not designed by rope techs. It brings back problems that other brands have been trying to solve. There is chances to cross load the carabiner because of the wide hole, the locking system (stop style) is a step backward. The keeper cord is not really what I would look for.
I was thinking it might be a little awkward but got one anyway to see. No worries, it's the best descender I've used and am super happy with it. The keeper chord I thought was kinda goofy too but If you get the right system and placement dialed... easy peasy. It'd kind of nice to get a device free and away from your central D as well, particularly with a Tyvek suit, a respirator and goggles on. Works just fine, smooth operation. It's badass and i dig it. You never know till you try. And no crossloanding if you do your changeovers correctly and watch it get weighted. During a change over one hand is free and you can just put your thumb on the line for a little tension to straighten it out as you sit into the device, but I haven't had to. All descenders can cross load in a changeover, it's no different and I actually find it crossloads a lot less. weird. Excellent piece of kit.
@@gregm5694 This is not Petzl crap. ha ha. worked on a stop for many years and never had an issue but this is WAY better. I'm happily surprised how much I like it. Nuke proof and feels good.
After many many years in Rope Access, Rescue and establishing rock climbs, far and away the best descender out there in my opinion. Just got one last week unseen as it appeared to be exactly what I want to replace the MacPreztl crap that is shipped to jobs on my harness and most companies use. I've put my money where my mouth is and am replacing every Petzl item on my harness with better gear. I decided to try the Druid Pro without ever holding one in my hand. I must say after 70 rope hours of work this last week, up and down, it's easily the best I've ever used, bar none. Yes, I have tried a lot of them. Now when I pick up the new Preztl Pig or I'D-iot for other rigging purposes... they seem like cheap pieces of junk as compared with the flawless quality, design and machining by CAMP. Well done, I'll give it 6 out of 5 stars. ha ha. Treat yourself, you deserve it.
Brian warshow ehhh not all PETZL equipment is bad. As an instructor it is easier to teach new level 1s with the newer PETZL designs of descenders for the simple reason of not having to remove the device off a harness to put the rope in properly. This is a good positioning device for aid climbing applications. I love CAMP devices as an experienced climber but not for a novice. Just my opinion not pooping on CAMP at all I love their harnesses instead of the new PETZL Astro 🤢🤮
@@Jay_gonzalez which Petzl device do you like for beginners? The Gri Gri plus?
@@vladimirlopez7840 The GriGri is no descender although Petzl says it could be used to descend when using a prusik-knot as a break. It's a really decent safety tool for Rock Climbing but nothing more. Using it as a descender is not recommended for untrained people. If you're starting i would get a Petzl ID with Panic safety. Trust me, when i started i often pulled the lever back and i was happy that i got the panic safety. I would never trust a GriGri fully without a second safety break and thats not what i want from a descender.
Hey Brian,
are you still satisfied with your Druid?
I need a new descender and i'm not sure if i should take the well known rig or the Druid. The Druid seems to be smaller and lighter while the rig has a "working" position which brakes it and you dont have to tie it off like the druid when staying in a working position.
I'm no professional user but a geocacher and climber with the need for a light but safe descender which can climb in combination with an ascender. I use 11mm ropes and i don't wan't to activate the panic brake everytime while descending. I'm still mit sure if i should try the Druid, but also wondering if i just tend to use petzl since it's industry standart and also wondering if i need the "Stop"-Position at all while not staying in one position for hours. But i tend to build in my Rope protectors while Standing at the Edge, using both hands and therefore not using my right hand for braking. I also wonder if the lever ist too small, but i only use two fingers on the Petzl's levers.
@@SGWChaosteam Hello Seb. In answer to your question, there are two models of the Druid. The "Pro" version does not have a "panic" feature on the handle and does not require tying off the control rope for work positioning. It does take a moment to change the muscle memory loading the rope as it is different from the open face design of the ID or RIG. As for limited ascending with a handle ascender it does have more friction than the rig and can be a bit fussier at first. In terms of the handle activation is concerned the handle is a bit shorter and requires a tad bit more pull to open the cam. I normally use my palm (face down) to pressure the handle. It seems to work nicely, and never panics out repeatedly. The Druid has not shown any wear after many long descents as opposed to the fast wearing and expensive to replace Petzl offerings. It will outlast several ID's or RIgs. As a climber you may like the compact design and I can say that CAMP is a fantastic company to deal with should you need, with Peztl not so much. By the way, the only people who consider Petzl the "industry standard" is the Petzl marketing department. MacDonald's is surely the industry standard for hamburgers but they are still shit. Good luck hunting for your preferred descender. ISC offers up a good descender (D4) as well but I find it very heavy and a bit "panicky", some really like the Sparrow as well. Good stuff out there, but so far the Druid has treated me well. Cheers!
Good as rope positioning device. Like the Petzl Grillon.
Better descender than any Petzl offering. As a descender or "grillion replacement. Actually The Beal Birdy is smaller and even better as a replacement grillion. Good stuff out there, Petzl's days are over.
Camp Goblin stuff is beautifully made and works well, unfortunately it's of no use for rescue crews who tend to use bigger ropes as the tolerances are too small, I had to sell my Camp fall arrest device for this very reason.
Would be awesome if there is a version vor each right and left hand users.
what kind of machine was that who the senior man was using rivet the device?
Could you use this to repel when Top Rope Soloing?
can this be used as a lanyard adjuster???
taking it out of the carabiner to put the rope in is still the problem but it looks compact the akimbo is a step in the right direction
After a few change overs it becomes quite easy, just a new muscle memory to learn from the Preztl way is all. It's easy and fine.
@@StaggerLee68 yes i agree as we have been doing it for years but its an exciting change using the akimbo in twin rope it totally takes the chest ascender out of the equation, it doesn't mean you cant keep it on your harness as an extra
@@claudeanthony468 Rock makes beautiful stuff. I wonder how it would be for longer descents though. As well, I prefer working in ascent and a changeover takes only a few seconds. Nice piece of gear for only $350 though, haha.
im a little curious. why is there no 2nd backup line? i didnt see any on rescuer and casualty..
Karya emergency situations can be done without back up line.
Hello sir Grip Descender price
Looks like was not designed by rope techs. It brings back problems that other brands have been trying to solve. There is chances to cross load the carabiner because of the wide hole, the locking system (stop style) is a step backward. The keeper cord is not really what I would look for.
Welcome to 1990 & the Petzl stop
I was thinking it might be a little awkward but got one anyway to see. No worries, it's the best descender I've used and am super happy with it. The keeper chord I thought was kinda goofy too but If you get the right system and placement dialed... easy peasy. It'd kind of nice to get a device free and away from your central D as well, particularly with a Tyvek suit, a respirator and goggles on. Works just fine, smooth operation. It's badass and i dig it. You never know till you try. And no crossloanding if you do your changeovers correctly and watch it get weighted. During a change over one hand is free and you can just put your thumb on the line for a little tension to straighten it out as you sit into the device, but I haven't had to. All descenders can cross load in a changeover, it's no different and I actually find it crossloads a lot less. weird. Excellent piece of kit.
@@gregm5694 This is not Petzl crap. ha ha. worked on a stop for many years and never had an issue but this is WAY better. I'm happily surprised how much I like it. Nuke proof and feels good.
How to order?
Is that the Camp Goblin on the back up line?
yep
I just don't like red motif all the time. I ain't a Chinese . Give me a break
The only good thing that camp has ever made is camp goblin other that the rest of the equipment and the harness is bullshit...back to petzl
is this stronger than petzl gri gri?