Originally posted by aussietreeclimber
hey moss,

Just a quick question. I think i may have overlooked something here.

Why don't you have the snap release connected directly to the brass snap hook and remove the pear marl all together?

I don't own a big shot myself but am trying to throw ideas around about making something of the like in my workshop, and love to see peoples different adaptations to theirs.

Cheers
Matt

That would work fine on a single length pole since you could attach to the brass snap and pulldown sleeve without stretching the sling. For a two section pole you need to tension the sling to make the connection, the pear screw_link_ makes a good handle to grab and pull down and easily hook into the brass snap which will be at the top of the lower section of the pole. The swivel eye on the bottom of the Wichard is small enough that you wouldn't want to be trying to find the "target" brass snap while the sling was under any tension.
-moss

Originally posted by Oldtimer
I saw a similar set up that Dan House put on his Big Shot. He used only the lower release part similar to what you have on yours. He used a Horse panic release from his local store and it worked fine.

Yep, that's the standard way to do it. You can buy the Wichard release from Sherrill and the hold-down prusik is included. For a two sectioned pole that system won't work because the Wichard is hard connected to the prusik. Ok, so if you create an easy connect/disconnect (where the brass snap comes in) between the Wichard and the prusik then you're good to go on a two-section pole. But... I've found that when pulling down the sling that the prusik can grab the pole in the wrong direction. I added the sleeve to solve that, the sleeve releases the prusik when you push down, just like DdRT descent with a hitch. The sleeve is also nice to grab and push down. And lastly you can attach a short footloop to the sleeve and use leg power to push the sleeve down and load the sling, if you're good at standing on one leg I've found that just putting my weight over the sleeve and using my arms works quite well so I took the footloop off.

I'd like to see Dan's dog leash snap quick release, sounds good. The Wichard is designed for this type of heavily loaded release system, I feel confident using it multiple times and with other people in the vicinity, in other words I have confidence that it will not release accidentally or otherwise fail.
-moss

Holy smokes, that's a lot of hardware. I'm currently working with a friend to design a trigger system for the BS. (Yes I said BS; it's just so much more flexible. If you're not familiar with the tool then you can at least entertain yourself.) This friend (designer of the Trango Cinch) is in the final stages and should provide a prototype soon. I hope something will surface by spring.

Originally posted by T. Sherrill
Holy smokes, that's a lot of hardware.

It works well. I overbuilt it to be conservative. Hardware cost besides the Wichard is minimal. It's one of those things, when you use it you say, aha! I get it. It's functionally very simple and effective.

Originally posted by T. Sherrill
I'm currently working with a friend to design a trigger system for the BS. ...This friend (designer of the Trango Cinch) is in the final stages and should provide a prototype soon. I hope something will surface by spring.

Sounds promising, I've been thinking that the Petzl Mini Traxion combined with the Wichard is very close to doing the trick simply, ie: a 2:1 MA pull, hold and release system. The only problem being that yer now talking over $100 U.S. for an advanced trigger system.
-moss

That's good to hear Tobe. I hope it incorporates a 2:1, like moss referred to.

Moss, I get the grab and hold action on my 2:1 trigger setup. I run a cord from the bottom of the pole up through and over the becket of the snap shackle. Pulling on the tail end gives me the 2:1 advantage. I then have a small knut hitch tied directly to the becket that grabs and holds the cord after each pull down. It works well, with very minimal hardware.

Originally posted by Leon
Moss, I get the grab and hold action on my 2:1 trigger setup. I run a cord from the bottom of the pole up through and over the becket of the snap shackle. Pulling on the tail end gives me the 2:1 advantage. I then have a small knut hitch tied directly to the becket that grabs and holds the cord after each pull down. It works well, with very minimal hardware.

Nicely done, clean and simple. I'll definitely try and set it up.
-moss