Owner: Thomas
Used since: 2006
Tested by: Thomas
Review by: Thomas
Primary Use: Abseiling, Canyoning
Review:
I bought this descender primarily for its easy lock-off functionality. Having used a traditional figure 8 in the first couple of years of canyoning, I bought the Piranha after some research on other descender alternatives. Being able to adjust the friction of the rope in several ways is a great feature that all of our regular canyoning team members use regularly (we all use the Piranha for canyoning). Additionally it is very easy to lock-off completely, which can be very useful for stopping during the descent to untangle the rope or take some pictures. Another advantage is that when going off-rope, you don't have to remove the descender from the carabiner, hence it can never fall down or into the water like a figure 8.
Pros:
- Great versatility - adjustable friction, easy lock-off
- Compact size and light (compared to ie. a rack)
Cons:
- Requires specific carabiner to work with it (ie. Petzl Attache).
- Sometimes the rope is a bit hard to get in or out through the carabiner as there is not much room between the carabiner and the descender.
Comment:
Highly recommended device, very versatile, practical and easy to use - all in a fairly small form factor.
Manufacturer Website:
http://www.petzl.com/en/Sport/Belay-devices--descenders/PIRANA?l=INT#.VOrjJzr12dI