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Item 737865
with coupon code ANNV13
May 17-27 Details
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 11 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
As a treeclimber, the only carabiners that I use for life support are double locking or "triple action" (ANSI requirement), so it is interesting to see many reviewers talking about their difficulty with this one. Double locking carabiners do require a little more practice, but once you spend time climbing with them, it does become second nature.
The ball mechanism is quite nice when it works properly...i.e. when the action is kept clean and lubricated when necessary. The ball lock is, at times, easily clogged (especially in tree work); which is completely aggravating. That said, petzl has done a lot of work improving this mechanism, and the current aluminum sleeve and ball are better than the old nylon sleeve.
The reason I did not give this carabiner five stars is because I simply prefer petzl's 'triact' locking mechanism, which omits the button but requires you to slide the sleeve up before it will twist--simpler and less likely to jam. Otherwise, you really can't go wrong here.
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Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
I bought a couple of these to put on my rack on a whim. After spending several days fumbling with them in rain/snow while wearing gloves in Yosemite, they are no longer with me.
There is no construction problem, but unless there is some technique for opening them, I am not a fan.
Pros
Cons
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Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
Bought for use with Petzl Pirana but carabiner gets clogged with dirt easily preventing the ball lock mechanism working. I've used it canyoneering in water and after had problems opening the gate and was unable to get off rappel. Also, dirt prevents it from springing shut securely and I've found it open just before starting raps. I now use the screwlock.
Pros
Cons
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Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
The Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner has worked well for me since I took the time to orient it to either hand. It does work more naturally when used right handed but has a short learning curve to not only learn how to use it left handed but to remember you have to do so every time. I am going to buy another one because when I went to Madagascar this year Air France confiscated my Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner because, they told me, it was large enough to slide over all 4 of my fingers and be used as a "brass knuckle".
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Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
This is great, I am right handed and I can see how it could be tough to use for leftys, but if you are one. Otherwise, I love this carabiner it doesn't scratch easily and I know that from experience. Overall, great buy.
Pros
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Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
Works great. If you belay alot or share equipment this easy to use failsafe biner is worth the extra money.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
A lot of people bash this carabiner because it is hard to open. This is true to some extent. It has a different mechanism from average twistlocks but to me that is a selling point. After one day of climbing with it I had gotten used to it and could open it one-handed out of sight with ease. The button makes it much more secure which is, to me, more important than ultimate ease of use. The main real con I see is that it would be awful for lefties. That isn't a problem for me, but this looks to me as a totally right handed mechanism.
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Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
I like this biner because I have large enough hands to easily one-handed clip and unclip. I work at a climbing wall where I constantly belay and I find it convenient for quick use. This carabiner is not friendly to lefties, the way it is designed it is too awkward for left handed use. All in all I like it but it is entirely a personal preferance, I wouldn't recommend buying it unless you can play with it a little before hand and get a feel for it.
Pros
Cons
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Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
If you like the ball-lock mechanism, the William is your belay 'biner of choice.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Petzl William Ball-Lock Autolocking Carabiner:
First off this is really only suited for right handed people. Second, mine jambs up and it requires my full attention to open. Third, even after practice this carabiner is cumbersome to open-and if you're climbing with someone else and they need to use it, you will wait for them to study it and figure out how to open it. I'm glad I didn't buy more than one.
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REI Anniversary Sale May 17–27. Plus, members SAVE 20% on 1 full-price item with coupon code ANNV13. Details