Vi Special my favorite,  Wednesday, 12 December 2007 This is my favorite harness. I climbed on a Butterfly II for a few months and then went back to my Vi. It is a the king (or queen) of comfort and utility. It is especially good for long SRT ascents and all the hang time that happens in rec tree climbing.

I use a pear link instead of the stock delta screwlink. I also tie down the bottom of the link with a sort length of narrow webbing to prevent rotation, I don't like having the pear rotate while I'm climbing.

It can be a struggle to get into if you don't have the leg strap release option especially if you're standing in mud or water. I don't have the leg strap releases because I don't like the additional clanking pieces of metal on my harness so I got used to getting into and out of the harness as is.

 Best thing since sliced bread,  Wednesday, 12 December 2007 I don't climb without them. Tremendous energy safer, much less effort required to grip the rope. Takes a few climbs to get used to them. At first you'll get the glove pinched in the hitch then you'll automatically figure out how not to without thinking about it. Provides a secure grip on the rope under any conditions, hot, cold, wet or dry. In wet weather you can wear surgical gloves under the glove to keep your hands dry, works great.

I use the "therma glove" version in the winter.

 Big Shot advantage,  Wednesday, 12 December 2007 As others have commented it makes many tall trees accessible that are very difficult to reach throwing by hand. I use it primarily for white pines in woods locations but also use it for tall hardwoods in tight woods situations.

I made a custom hold-down and release for my Big Shot, this allows me to make the highest possible shots if needed and gives me the chance to aim it without having to hold the sling extended by hand at the same time.

Obviously a potentially dangerous piece of gear, as was noted, eye protection and a helmet are a must while using it. It is not a toy.

 Petzl Ascension,  Wednesday, 12 December 2007 Good solid ascender. I sometimes accidentally thumb the cam on the top ascender. This is not dangerous because it only moves the cam teeth away from the rope but does not release the cam or rope completely. It is disconcerting when you're pushing the ascender up and expect it to grab. I put a biner through the top hole in a way that makes it more difficult for my thumb to contact the cam release.

The two holes in the bottom of the ascender are useful for separate connections for a footloop and the life support tether to your harness.

If you use a screwlink to attach your tether or footloop to the ascender, the steel screwlink will eventually cut a small groove in the aluminum ascender.

 Beeline eye and eye review,  Wednesday, 12 December 2007 8mm Beeline is my favorite closed hitch split tail cord. My only problem is the eye & eye as sold is a little bit too long for my hitch and rope configuration so I've gone back to my custom length Beeline with a double fisherman's loop tied on each end as a substitute for the spliced eyes.