I acquired my R.E.D.E descender from Desert Rock Sports in 1997.
The R.E.D.E descender is an unusual variation of the U-frame rack. The bars are all solid aluminum, with only the second and fourth bar notched so they can pivot. The fifth bar is longer so that both hands can be used to move it. Usually that much strength is not required, and the long bar just makes the rack take up more room in the pack. For some reason, the fifth bar is not anodized. The sixth bar does not contact the rope. Its sole purpose is to give the springs something to push against. The springs force the fifth bar upward, which tends to give the rack an auto-stop capability which probably isn't needed.
The R.E.D.E rack meets NFPA standards and is tested to 10000 lbf (2.2 kN), making it strong enough for the most obese fireman. Personally, I'd go on a diet if that was an issue.
I never found out what R.E.D.E. stood for.
I don't use my R.E.D.E. rack because it is too big and heavy, but it is well made, except that the threads for the cap nuts were made about an inck longer than they needed to be. The locking bar might have some rescue applications. If nothing else, the long bar makes tying off easy.
The R.E.D.E. descender is protected by U.S. Patent 5,145,036. The patent design features wing nuts at the top and claims, "[b]y turning the adjustable wing nuts.. up or down a fine tuning of the pressure on the friction bars can be controlled." Not having wing nuts on my R.E.D.E. rack, I can't test this and convince myself that this would make any noticeable difference whatsoever.
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©2007, Gary D. Storrick