Petzl
Pantin B02
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I acquired my Pantin B02 from On Rope 1 in 1999.
The Petzl Pantin B02 is 48 mm. tall, 74 mm. wide, 26 mm. thick, and weighs 81 g. (excluding the harness). The cam tooth pattern is (3.2)(1S1)^2(2S2.1S1)^2(2.3), where the "S" designates a single mud slot.
The outside of the rope channel is stamped with a climber icon, "ROPE •8≤Ø≤13," and "MAX 150daN." The shell behind the cam is stamped with the Petzl logo and "PANTIN." The rear of the shell is stamped "99088A." The cam has "Petzl" cast into it.
The Petzl Pantin is a small ascender designed to be mounted on the side of the right foot. The harness to do so is supplied with the device. The ascender consists of a stamped aluminum shell and an eccentric cam. The cam appears to be the same as that on the Petzl Basic Version F or Croll Versions F and G, but there is no safety. A hole in the cam allows one to clip a carabiner in to keep the cam closed. The harness consists of one strap that runs around the instep and another that runs under the foot. These straps are made fro 18 mm. webbing. A two-piece slip buckle is sewn to the ankle strap, as is the underfoot strap.
The
Petzl Pantin was relatively new when I acquired mine, and I never
figured out how to get it to work well. Petzl didn't describe
it in their catalog, and the directions that come with it don't
work. I found that the webbing running under the foot pulled out
on the very first step I took - which is rather obvious,
if you look at the recommended rigging shown in the figure to
the left. This may be safe, because when standing on the ground,
there isn't far to fall, but it is also useless. I found that
I could rig the webbing a different way and get it to hold, which
brought me to the next problem. Each step caused the ascender
to come off the rope. Petzl's directions (see figure at right)
showed this clearly. There is no safety to prevent this, but if
one clips a carabiner into the hole in the frame, the device will
stay on rope and the carabiner will dig holes in one's ankle.
I'm going to try to forget this lemon.
I doubt that there is any device on my site that I've received so many notes expressing total disagreement with my assessment than this one. I am standing behind my assessment - after all, mine fell apart before I could climb three feet, and when I fixed the webbing, I couldn't keep the Pantin on the rope. To be fair, though, I'm allowing the other side to express their views. Here is one sample exchange:
This tool is well liked in the arborist community. Petzl reps say we are the ones that keep it in production.
Most of us have fiddled with the straps some.
The problem with keeping the rope in it is a weight issue, you need to hand feed it for a few feet till the rope is heavy enough to self tail.
Many guys use it daily in the tree, just leave it on till they come down. Takes away a lot of the foot lock and body thrust that is traditional in the trade.
John Paul Sanborn, January 22, 2003
My reply:
John,
A lot of people tell me that they like their Pantin, and there seems to be a crusade building to disagree with my conclusions. That's fine, I'm all in favor of diverse opinions.
If I remember correctly, mine fell apart the moment I put weight on it. I can't endorse the one that I got in the condition that it came out of the box. As I said, my comments only apply to the ones that I've tested - I can't speak for the ones that I never got to try. Until I try one that doesn't disintegrate, I'll let others speak in favor of the Pantin.
John's Response:
Thanks for the reply Gary, I was looking at my comment more of an explanation as to why it has not disappeared yet and a reason for the problem you mentioned on the tailing issue.
I think your description of it being a lemon is what brings people to it's defense, it is more of a niche tool, for people who need to climb short distances then go off rope. There are better tools for long term rope ascent.
The tailing issue is the first thing I hear with people who first try it. I do think Petzl should have that in bold print in the instructions.
If you have any interest in discussion of tree related rope work come on over to http://www.ArboristSite.com
When my device self-destructs in the first minute of use, I probably will call it a lemon.
My opinions have nothing whatsoever to do with how these devices
will work for you.
I use my devices caving and climbing, so my statements never
apply to arborists.
As the main page says, my opinions are of how well my device
works for me.
Forming opinions of how well your device works is your responsibility.
Forming your opinions for you is not my responsibility.
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I acquired my Pantin B02ALA and B02ARA from On Rope 1 in 2009.
The B02ALA is for the left foot, and the B02ARA is for the right. These Petzl Pantins are 47 mm. tall, 73 mm. wide, 24 mm. thick, and weigh 180 g. each (including the harness supplied with the ascender). The cam is different from the B02 cam, with a different web and different tooth pattern. The B02ALA/B02ARA cam tooth pattern is (3)(2S2.1S1)^3(2.3), where the "S" designates a single mud slot.
The outside of the rope channel is stamped with a book with an "i" ICON, an up-pointing arrow with "UP" inside, and "PANTIN LEFT" (respectively, "PANTIN RIGHT"). The shell behind the cam is stamped with "MAXI" and "150daN." The back of the shell is screened with "0819FH9562" (resp. 08309FR5004"), a scanner code, and "Made in France." The cam has the Petzl logo cast into it. The buckle is stamped with the Petzl logo and "PATENTED."
Perhaps I will stop receiving hate mail and death threats, because I am not going to give this one a lemon award. This one did not self-destruct.
There is actually a very good and obvious reason for the difference: The B02 came with a thin, flexible, 18 x 1.2 mm. webbing that easily pulled through the slots in the BO2, while the B02ALA and B02ARA each come with a thick, stiff, 19.6 x 1.9 mm. webbing that fits more tightly in the slots.
I'm pleased to see that Petzl realized that some people have left feet, and use them.
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