So...
pros...
It does what is claimed. Runs through canopy (and I tried some tough canopy) like silk. I was actually a tad amazed at how well it would slide through and come to the ground. Then pulled back through. On our conifers, I usually have to throw no less than 16oz and often the 20 oz just to get the weight back. This obviously weighs less than the 20oz and came down, with out coaxing, each time.
I was also surprised, on the conifers, how the weight would roll down a branch back towards the bole. If you played it right, you could really run the limb, even with small sticks in the way. Back side of the tree of course. But hey, a good TIP in a conifer can be an irritating endeavour at times.
Height wise, I could cradle throw it to about 65 feet accurately with some practice. When I first started throwing the unit, I was hard pressed to get my release just right. Bad days tries? I dunno. Threw it with a fever till I got dizzy on Friday and hit my TIP over and over again in black oaks. Regular throw, surprisingly accurate considering how off I normally am with this style. Only to about 45 feet though. Still better than how I normally am with a regular weight. I can do better with a regular weight in height on a cradle throw. Might just take some more getting used to the devise. It does hang lower on the same amount of line between the weight and hand. Why (in my estimation) it takes time to get used to how and when it should be released. Different radii... If that makes any sense.
I don't know if I can get any more height out of it unless I go to a smaller line. I was using 2.2 Zing It... This is often my line of choice with our grey pines as it gets caught in the bark less. And if it does, I can really force it free if needed.
Now I did not get the foam with this to try near structures, so I did open field throwing.
Cons.....
Time of set up.
The fid I did not like. I thought it would save me time... it did not.. I was able to push the 2.2 Zing It into the devise with a twist just fine. You will see from my photos that this end was rather warn as well.
I tried the little loop that was in the kit and felt it could be done with out. Just more stuff to do.
Fact was, I did not bother with little biner things etc that were in the kit. I simplified and it worked better for me.
Instructions need to be better quality. Get a better printer or something. Blurry... Could be more explicit.
Loose screw... I work in the woods a lot. 6"-12" of duff would eat that screw and I would be unable to use the devise. Sell a back up or include one. No I did not lose this one.. Just saying.
Price would be a tad of a deterrent for me. I don't know that I would use the devise enough to justify it sitting in the truck. Often times I need a higher TIP than what this can be thrown at and the Big Shot often comes into play. To use the big shot with part of the devise is ok, but I would have to change to fishing line, then pull throw line, then climb line........ Fine if I need more than 100 feet... Silly if the TIP is often 75-85 and can be done with a regular throw weight, zing it and Big Shot.
The tool does have it's niche and I would consider it for some of our harder trees. Dense canopy, conifers and such. It really does behave well and is better than getting one stuck and having to go after it. I carry extra lines and extra weights just for that reason.... Bag would have got stuck several times in the stuff I threw this into and I got it back save for twice out of many throws. I probably could have, but I was not going to test the theory and have to go climb up to get it being sick..
SO yes, I may end up owning one someday... Or something like it. I want to try that one European throw weight against it. See how it behaves.
Sorry no vids but I did have this little tid bit of photos for you....
Picture of the nasty mess I threw it at... One of them anyway...
If you look close.. I walked the devise to this point on the limb from about 4 feet from the bole, along the limb...
. Your method will work well to secure the rope as well as a second ropeKnight.
It is going in the new instructions "The Merle". Thanks man!
