Gibbs Quick

The frame on this ascender consists of two pieces milled from aluminum extrusions, then joined at the spine with a long roll pin to form a hinge. The result is a frame that can be opened to insert the rope from the side. The cam and spring assembly are identical to the standard Gibbs of the same vintage.

The resulting ascender is larger and bulkier than the standard Gibbs, and does not track as well on rope. Opening the ascender is awkward. The web keeper on the quick release pin is too short to completely remove the pin, so it stays in the way. The moving frame piece tends to catch on the cam and bind. The spring ensures that the cam will be in the wrong place, so one must move the cam out of the way first. Once open, the cam will fall off the quick release pin, and the spring will ensure that it flops around instead of getting out of the way. If one tries to close the empty ascender, , the cam will again be in the wrong place (thanks to the spring), so it must be moved. Of course, one could insert a rope and have it block the frame open instead. One method to deal with these difficulties is to simply thread the end of the rope into the ascender at the bottom of the pit, then when you reach the top, take your harness off until the rope is derigged. Its almost worth doing it that way.

I can appreciate the desire to have a side-open Gibbs, but there are better ways. Without any doubt in my mind, this ascender wins a lemon award.