Petzl Pirana durability

[Canyon Kelp]

Well I'm on my second Pirana, which is now showing signs of wear.

I for one while I like the Pirana don't like the lack of durability.

I don't think I'm the only one. Some locally have hard anodized their Pirana's with minor success.

I for one would like a Pirana made from a more durable material.

While steel would certainly be more durable it would double or triple the weight. Titanium is tough and durable but the cost would be x3+ vs aluminum

As it stands now I have recently started using a Hydrobot and reserving the Pirana for situations I feel need it.

The design of the Hydrobot has it's limitations but seems it may be more durable

So I'm carrying the double weight already

How responsive is Petzl to such suggestions?

Matt

[rambler-joe]

The design of the Hydrobot has it's limitations but seems it may be more durable


Hi Matt. I was not impressed with the Hydrobot at first, so did some experimenting:confused:. I have posted some pictures of two different setups for the Hydrobot. They are on the hydrobot thread and post #14. The idea was to make it less prone to coming undone. Wear wise, I have used mine a fair bit and so far I've only just got through the anodising.
Rambler -joe.

[catware11]

I think a lot has to do with whether you are primarily descending sandstone canyons or not, meaning canyons where grit gets in the rope and abrades the material of the descender. My Pirana has been with me for about 25 canyons, with a mix of sandstone vs. other. It is showing signs of wear, true, but I estimate it can last another 3x as many canyons at least.

Conversely, a relatively new figure 8 of mine was nearly destroyed on a single trip through Imlay. I was actually worried about my prospects for finishing the canyon at the time, and retired the piece afterward (then it found a new life as my figure 8 contingency block a year ago).

I can live with the cost of replacing the Pirana if I am getting 60-80 canyons out of it. If I'm spending my time predominantly in highly abrasive canyons, then I would consider more robust pieces of equipment (possibly at a weight handicap) such as the stainless steel hardware many cavers find themselves needing to purchase and use.

[sonnylawrence]

Conversely, a relatively new figure 8 of mine was nearly destroyed on a single trip through Imlay. I was actually worried about my prospects for finishing the canyon at the time, and retired the piece afterward (then it found a new life as my figure 8 contingency block a year ago).



I would be glad to break it for you. I bet it is still quite strong, even if half cut through. I advise against carrying a piece of gear you feel is not suitable for rappelling yet okay for a block. Someday someone will get it and think it is okay to rap on.

[catware11]

Hi Sonny,

I was being perhaps overly dramatic in the last post. I *was* concerned about the DhD lasting through the end of Imlay, but upon inspection afterward it still had life left (imo). I would not want to re-descend Imlay with it as my only device based on how much material it *did* lose the first time through. But it wasn't so bad that I threw it away. I still used it for non-sandstone canyons for 6 months until purchasing the Pirana prior to the Crete 'vous in '06.

I still trust it or believe me, it would be recycled into an aircraft turbine by now. (Or whatever the reincarnation dreams of a hunk of aluminum might be... :) )

[sonnylawrence]

This brings up two points. Depending on the rap device a person uses, it may fall off the mountain when the user drops it. So having a second device hanging on your side may be useful. Also, it is handy to learn to rappel with a Munter on an HMS carabiner. This style of rappeling is counter-intuitive in the way the control hand works. So practice a lot before really needing it.

[Marc McDonald]

Also, it is handy to learn to rappel with a Munter on an HMS carabiner...

Amen to that. Learning how to use a Munter hitch can save your bacon! Body rappels really suck, so learn to use the Munter. It's also handy for building a contingency anchor.

Marc

[charlybldr]

Well I'm on my second Pirana, which is now showing signs of wear.

I for one while I like the Pirana don't like the lack of durability.

"snip"

How responsive is Petzl to such suggestions?

Matt

Petzl is always interested in suggestions. Whether or not they act upon them depends on many things. The Pirana was designed as a DCD that is particualrly well suited to canyoning. It is sold and used in a number of additional markets as well.

The "Canyoneering" (Colorado Plateau) market could be viewed as a division of the world wide "Canyoning" market which is part of the world wide "DCD" market. In the world wide DCD market wear issues concerning the Pirana are fairly minimal. The likelyhood of Petzl changing materials to suit the relatively small canyoneering market is slim as it would most likely not prove to be very cost effective.

The Pirana is made of an aluminum alloy similar to most DCD's used in canyoneering. These devices are all subject to wear from the sandy environment of the Colorado Plateau. Might I suggest you consider adopting a couple of techniques that could improve wear whichever DCD you choose to use.



Deploy the rope out of a bag whenever possible.
Set rope length to match the drop.
Re-bag the rope directly out of water whenever possible.
Avoid getting sand in your rope at all costs.


Unless you already apply these techniques on a regular basis you should see an improvement.

[ratagonia]

Eh - they seem pretty durable to me. I get 8-10 weeks out of one. They only cost $30.00 - so, not too bad. 3 bucks a week.

Tom