Powerline and Highballs

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wiley_p said:
Jean-Luc. A good kid you went out of your way to slander. Therefore I still bust your balls every time I decide you need it.
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To slander is to tell something untrue with the intent of injurying another's reputation/ name. If a person doesn't like what is said, it doesn't make it untrue. I believe I stuck to the facts, so if I recall correctly what was said without digging up the old TB thread, then I am the one who was slandered by being called a slanderer. I gather that there was a TH thread about the TB thread, which I have never seen. We don't need to rehash old news, but if you care to discuss by PM or phone to try to clear the air, I'm fine with it. My phone number is readily available. I just felt compelled to clarify that I don't think that I stated anything untrue. Funkytreehugger said that he worked for a long time for a l/i/b company that topped and spike pruned, never saying that he didn't take part in it. I enforce the no topping, no spike pruning, double tie-in standard at my company. One handing is never pushed on a climber. I tried to extend an olive branch of maybe being able to use someone with good skills ready to do high quality work, who couldn't work a traditional schedule, to a mutually beneficial end.
 
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  • #53
Back to the Powerline/ Highball OP. I saw the highballs at Vermeer last week. They are rubbery, and seem to be about 2/3 full of steel shot, so there may be more of a "gush" factor to dampen the bounce, sorta akin to a deadblow hammer.

I think that the width would prevent them from being pulled into a tight crotch where they would get stuck. Might be a matter of shooting with the highball for height, dropping to the ground for a weight change for dancing through limbs as needed.

It seems that the couple of throwlines that have lasted me 4 years have been Zing-it. I bought a new Zing-it rather than trying the Powerline. I'm staying with a good performer rather than go out on the limb on the untested, watching my pennies.
 
I wonder how ling the loop between ball and ring will hold up. I'm using one of Wesspur's "unbreakable" weights right now. It does seem indestructible, though its shape doesn't fly as well as the narrower bags I'm used to. I had some terrible luck with their regular weights for the last two years. I had one burst on about the 4th throw. Granted, it did hit pavement when it came out of the tree, but a close inspection shows the seam is less then 1/16" from the edge of the material. Really, they couldn't afford to double-stitch it....at least move the hem back at least one more sixteenth inch?

Nick, I've got a couple of those old types, but they don't resemble that anymore. We always wrapped them with a bunch of electrical tape from the start to help protect that thin rubber skin. I can't remember the last time I threw one.
 
I've had a couple for a while. They fly great out of the bigshot. I wouldn't say they get stuck any less.. maybe a bit because they're harder than a traditional bag.

What I can tell you is that the black strap that holds the ring to the ball SUCKS. It WILL tear and you'll be like wtf did I buy this thing for. You can't simply rethread it either. This has happened to me and a friend too. When mine went I actually ripped the top off of it. Can't epoxy or bond it back together with anything. Whatever they use to factory seal them is some special sauce.

The good news on that is sherrill will warranty them within 1 year. I sent them a pic and even though it took forever I did get a replacement no questions asked.

In one of the reviews for the 14 or 16 oz someone else talks about the straps and sherrill responded saying they're working on a new version. Wish they'd hurry up...
 
Adam_P said:
I've had a couple for a while. They fly great out of the bigshot. I wouldn't say they get stuck any less.. maybe a bit because they're harder than a traditional bag.

What I can tell you is that the black strap that holds the ring to the ball SUCKS. It WILL tear and you'll be like wtf did I buy this thing for. You can't simply rethread it either. This has happened to me and a friend too. When mine went I actually ripped the top off of it. Can't epoxy or bond it back together with anything. Whatever they use to factory seal them is some special sauce.

The good news on that is sherrill will warranty them within 1 year. I sent them a pic and even though it took forever I did get a replacement no questions asked.

In one of the reviews for the 14 or 16 oz someone else talks about the straps and sherrill responded saying they're working on a new version. Wish they'd hurry up...
Click to expand...

Is there a disappointed face??

Got any pics of what the inside of it looked like? It doesnt seem that hard a proposition to build a super tough one of these from a manufacturing standpoint. I am sure they will get it right.

I made something similar a while back out of a tennis ball, a normal weight and some tape. I was trying to make a U-saver like friction saver but with tied ropes. The knots didnt work so I scrapped the project. I never used the weight because it is kind of ghetto.

I guess I can start a different thread about Toms Usaver.
 
For me, the shape of the throwball doesn't make much difference. Getting stuck is usually the result of the line getting wrapped around a tiny branch so many times that when I get up there to retrieve it I say, how in the heck did it do all that! Unless, of course, I try to backpull an overshoot. Then the odds of getting stuck are pretty good.
 
I roll with Wesspurs indestructible weights, I love them and they last a long time. Don't think I will ever try another weight......
 
PCTREE said:
I roll with Wesspurs indestructible weights, I love them and they last a long time. Don't think I will ever try another weight......
Click to expand...

I am still running the first two I got almost 3 years ago. super scuffed up but no leaks.
 
I prefer Harrison Rockets. Lightweight, durable and very long lasting.
I throw 8 oz Rockets with 2.2 Zing It. Best combo for throwing or big shotting, IMO.
 
I have done John, pretty well anyway...still takes a 14 oz. 'Course, I have twice as much line out for the bag to pull as you do...
:P
 
I run a 12 oz on the 2.2 zing-it, I can't get the 8 to drop and the 10 can get difficult, 12 drops pretty much every time and I can still get it high enough for our trees.
 
I never was good at setting lines in a tree from the ground. As most shots were far higher than I could throw. When I got the big shot that all changed.


Now up in the tree I'd rate myself pretty good at advancing lines and setting rigging with the throw bag. that came early on.
 
I can weigh in on the new "Highball". It definitely shoots straight and high, clearly better than an assymetric shot pouch. Bounce may be a bit increased, but not excessive. However, due to it's round shape, it will hang up when pulling it back up to isolate it. Got it stuck on the first time i used it on this job, which caused all kinds of problems as my only other line is way worn out...and broke while setting the lifeline.

As far as Fling It goes, I find it better than ZI, as it seems to tangle a bit less, and is smoother so it runs much better. I have never used Dynaglide for the reasons stated above, plus the excessive cost...and if it wears quickly, that's another reason not to use it.

I'll be at the ITCC and will again take note of what it the most used line..in the past it seemed to have been FI.

Just saw your posts, Adam....yikes...my Highball is quite new, so that's bound to happen to mine.....

Been meaning to get the new Wesspur pouch. and 1000 feet of 1.75 and 2.2.....of whatever brand the ITCC guys like the best.
 
16 & 20 here, too and 10 for the high shots, throw bags. HighBalls (10, 16) are used only with the BigShot. I learned the hard way to NEVER pull any weight, on a single line, back through a tree.

I do A LOT of deadwood/hanger pull-downs which requires isolation. But, technique below works for isolating top TIP's, too. (Base anchors are a lot simpler.)

The initial shot (or throw) is always run to the ground where the throw/shot weight is removed and a 20 and a second line are connected. Then the 20 can be pulled either direction ALMOST eliminating hang-ups. The ring on the 20 was replaced with 1/8 Q-link. Two different color throw lines with spliced eyes greatly increases the efficiency of isolating a branch.

7671639356_18d5781b36.jpg


HD pic
 
I have always used the standard throw weights weavers/buckingham.

As far as throw line I was using All Gear Bulls Eye but Big Green gave me a free spool of 1.75 Zing It, right before I took time off. I have used Zing It before but will see how it goes using it full time. The All gear stuff, 2.5mm, was ok. Not wonderfull but worth the economy price. Really tight jacket, not splicable (by me :) ) it was a bit stiff and had a memory at first. It wore pretty well and is in good workable shape still after 6 or so months of everyday use. I am sure not using it everyday it will last forever, for $20 it was a good buy.

1Bus generously offered to send one of the Highball weights, which he didnt care for, my way to give it a try. Im pretty excited to test it out, I will definitely chime back in after that.

Thanks a lot Joe!
 
I should have mentioned that the pic I posted was after I kinda dissected the weight. What originally happened was the nylon strap broke and the top "plug" pulled half open.

Jack, I like that 1/8" q link setup. Right now I girth hitch but it's a pain to get off with gloves on.

Is the clip on the highball one of the mcgizmo clips? How's it holding up?
 

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Jack. I would like to learn more about this 'two lines on the weight-isolation technique'... You do that every time huh?

Adam, Where do you buy those clips? Are they cheap?
 
The clip is a different brand but the same design. I found it at a local craft store. They have been holding up amazingly well. :)
I did break one once when a bag got hung-up and yanked on it hard. The bag fell down ... put another clip on. I bought a bunch - cheap. :D
The 1/8 Q-link is easy to work with gloves on ... clips, too. ;)
 
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