| Competitive Products| Image |  |  |  |  |  | | Name | ATC | Bugette | Bug | BRD Belay Rappel Device | Ghost Belay Device | | Brand | Black Diamond | DMM | DMM | Metolius | Kong | | Lowest Price | 15.16 | 11.95 | 19.95 | 15.96 | 22.36 | | Type | Tube Style (Non-Blocking) | Tube Style (Non-Blocking) | Tube Style (Non-Blocking) | Tube Style (Non-Blocking) | Tube Style (Non-Blocking) | | Weight (g) | 50 | 26⇓ | 58⇑ | 82⇑ | | | Rope Size Min (mm) | 9 | 7.5⇓ | 9 | 8⇓ | 7.5⇓ | | Rope Size Max (mm) | 11 | 9.5⇓ | N/A | 11 | 10.5⇓ | | Dual Rope Rappels | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Dual Friction | No | No | No | No | No |
Add ReviewAverage Review: 4.48
Cred: 5281 | Review by marks
Good Features
Simple and time tested. The ATC (air traffic controller) is a staple for the climbing industry. It only does what a belay device must do and thats all we ask. Low price point.
Recommended Alternatives
If you are planning to climb multipitch climbs you may want to consider the Petzl Reverso or Black Diamond ATC Guide. |
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Cred: 1376 | Review by Keese
Good Features
Great little belay device, much smoother than the Reverso, and well time tested piece of gear, which regardless if you are carrying an autoblocking device is still nice to have an the harness. Much easier on ropes, and pretty much all you can want for a cragging belay device. There is a reason ATC is now an acronym for belay device. |
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Cred: 195 | Review by deathbybowtie
Good Features
I greatly prefer it to the Trango Pyramid and ATC-XP. Easy to set up, multi-purpose, rugged because of its simplicity.
Bad Features
Not as smooth as a Reverso.
Recommended Alternatives
ATC Guide, Reverso |
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Cred: 796 | Review by livextreme41
Good Features
the indespensible time tested belay device. Works great with larger diameter ropes. Feeds great and is smooth to operate. Can't beat the weight |
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Cred: 12 | Review by FreeSailer35
Good Features
easy to use, works great, much better alternative to a stitch plate.
Bad Features
if one forgets to clip the rope into the locking biner the climber will hit the deck, this is uncommon and will usually be noticed before the climber starts climbing
Recommended Alternatives
none, but for autolocking i would reccomend a petzel grigri |
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Cred: 66 | Review by fb_668443182
Good Features
works to hold your rope, can be used to open a bottle of beer
Bad Features
Should have scratch and sniff coating, I would love to have wonderful smells woft about as I rappel |
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Cred: 53 | Review by fb_793980214
Good Features
keeping it simple...
works great with 10-10.3mm ropes
Bad Features
holding power is decreased greatly with smaller diameter ropes. |
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Cred: 5 | Review by fb_506776743
Good Features
Light, compact, safe, simple and easy to use
Bad Features
It can get really hot if used for top rope climbing
Recommended Alternatives
For topropes use a Gri-Gri |
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Cred: 5 | Review by jack detroit
Good Features
Despite the unusual name choice (air traffic controller) this is a staple for the climbing community.
Bad Features
No dual friction mode but at the same time this is a good feature (simplicity).
Recommended Alternatives
Reverso or ATC Guide for multipitch. |
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Cred: 93 | Review by climbercam
Good Features
Simple to use, single or double rope raps/belays.
Bad Features
Gets sharp inside due to abrasion.
Recommended Alternatives
Petzl Reverso |
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Cred: 93 | Review by fb_14818194
Good Features
Doesn't get better than this for a basic belay device. |
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Cred: 55 | Review by fb_560005471
Good Features
Everyone know this one. It does pretty good doing what it's supposed to. |
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Cred: 84 | Review by roytse
Good Features
Simple. Bombproof. Not even my girlfriend can misfeed the rope. |
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Cred: 60 | Review by Jon Cannon
Good Features
The standard tube device. Can't go wrong.
Bad Features
A little slippage under heavy loads. |
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Cred: 101 | Review by IanW1960
Good Features
First class stopping power. Won't twist the rope. Makes a smooth rapping device too. |
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Cred: 26 | Review by fb_1290900279
Good Features
Cheap, Simple, easy to use for rappelling or belaying |
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Cred: 35 | Review by fb_501012219
Good Features
A classic works well, better than anything else out there.
Bad Features
None
Recommended Alternatives
None |
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Cred: 26 | Review by fb_659612105
Good Features
it is light and easy to use
Recommended Alternatives
i'll suggest grigri for sport climbing |
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Cred: 29 | Review by alex m
Good Features
smooth handling, my absolute favorite of all ATC style belay devices |
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Cred: 27 | Review by devin
Good Features
The classic belay device. Good for 80% of my climbing. |
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Cred: 29 | Review by alex m
Good Features
smooth handling,one of the absolute best ATC style belay devices
Recommended Alternatives
Petzl Reverso 3 |
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Cred: 29 | Review by alex m
Good Features
smooth handling, my favorite of the bucket style belay devices
Recommended Alternatives
reverso 3 |
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Cred: 195 | Review by scottydo
Good Features
Works great. Very solid
Bad Features
None
Recommended Alternatives
None |
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Cred: 56 | Review by treefrog
Good Features
best general belay in the world |
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Cred: 43 | Review by fb_505775625
Good Features
smooth belay
Bad Features
locks alright, not good for big rests |
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Cred: 72 | Review by fb_4943815
Good Features
Nothing special just pure reliability |
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Cred: 89 | Review by Sidekick
Good Features
Good solid ATC
Bad Features
Only one size (no + or -) feed |
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Cred: 102 | Review by Delta V
Good Features
The good 'ol stand by |
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Cred: 24 | Review by dvsbenz
Good Features
good belay device
Bad Features
none |
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Cred: 32 | Review by fb_1068828154
Good Features
The old and trusty. Replaced by ATC guide nowadays |
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Cred: 3 | Review by sully264
Good Features
These things are the gold standard for simple belay devices |
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