The best is now better

Posted by Rod Smith on 16th Mar 2011

Arguably the nicest handling of the new breed of ATC belay devices, the Black Diamond ATC-Guide has received a makeover for this year.

The body is now drilled through which means the new ATC-Guide is about 14 grams lighter – 88 grams compared to its 102-gram predecessor.

While this is a negligible weight saving, the real improvement comes when the device is being used for rapping: it is noticeably cooler after long abseils and the heat dissipates more rapidly after you stop. (It’s still pretty hot to touch though!).

Other upgrades include refinements of the device’s autolocking mode, which is used when belaying your second off the harness on a bombproof anchor. These changes are are a slightly larger rear eyelet – which attaches the device to the anchor via a carbiner – and a slightly larger front hole, for attaching cord or an accessory ‘biner when you need to release the device in autolocking mode. The front hole is still not sufficiently large enough to accommodate a standard ‘biner, a minor quibble.

Partnered with BD’s innovative new Gridlock screwgate ‘biner – which features a rear tongue on the gate so that the ‘biner can’t spin around on your harness belay loop – the new ATC-Guide sets the standard in its class.