PMI Grip-Tech Jr.

Technical Details

I acquired my Grip-Tech Jr from Inner Mountain Outfitters in August, 2000.

The PMI Grip-Tech Jr. looks and functions like a Type 1 Lever Cam Ascenders, but it is marketed as a rope grab. The frame is milled from aluminum (much like the Rock Exotica ascenders). The U-shaped rope channel is 14.2-mm wide. The inside of the shell has a milled depression that the cam forces the rope into. This spreads the load on the rope, and may increase the holding power of the ascender. It is claimed to help reduce rope damage under shock loading, but I can't confirm this. Rock Exotica pioneered this feature, Petzl acquired it from them, and PMI has close ties to Petzl, so it isn't surprising that they incorporated this feature.

The cam has 8 rounded teeth, and is held by a plastic-covered cable keeper that doubles as a weak spring that adds a tiny closing force to the cam. The cam rides on a standard quick-release pin that is held by cable keeper.The top of the rope channel is rounded off so that the rope does not bend over any sharp corners. In addition to the axle hole, the frame has three small holes. One is for the two keepers, and a second, drilled from the top of the frame, accepts a pin to hold the two keepers in place. The third hole, through the back of the frame, does not serve any obvious purpose.

The rear of the frame is stamped with "UP", an arrow pointing up, and a cam icon of the cam showing how the cam should be rigged. Two stickers were attached to mine. One said "PMI" and "Read All Instructions Before Use." The other sticker said "USE ONLY APPROVED Ø11mm - Ø13mm SYNTHETIC ROPE", "0120CE", "CHECK UNIT BEFORE EACH USE. REMOVE FROM SERVICE AFTER SUBJECTED TO A FALL" and the serial number "001336."

Comments

The Grip-Tech Jr. is easily compared to the Rock Exotica Microcender, and although it is marketed as a rope grab, I see no reason why the Grip-Tech Jr. could not be used as a compact ascender. PMI's literature indicates that with new PMI EZ- Bend 11-mm rope, the Grip-Tech Jr. slips at about 1200 lbf. Most cavers should weigh less than this, although some of the PMI folk have run across non-PMI people approaching this limit.

The Grip-Tech Jr. is also easily compared to the Petzl Micrograb B53. I think that the PMI Grip-Tech Jr. is superior for several reasons. First, the PMI's rope channel is rounded rather than square. Second, the outside is rounded off, giving it a more finished appearance. Finally, the quick-release pin is far easier to use than the Allen-head cap screw that Petzl uses as an axle.

Originally PMI planned to issue a full-sized Grip-Tech, similar in size to the Petzl Macrograb B52. Apparently they were happy with the Grip-Tech Jr. and never issued the larger version; instead, they have dropped "Jr." from the name of this version.