Vergo Belay Device - Rock Climbing, Rappelling Protection, (8.9-10.7 mm Ropes)

Best belay device for lead climbing in my humble opinion. It pays out slack very smoothly while no overriding of the belay mechanism is needed at all so it is very safe while paying out slack. I was a bit worried about the ability to take slack in but this turns out to run surprisingly swift and easy. The reason is that the rope only needs to pass a mostly straight path through the belay device. Finding the correct position with the belay hand again is possible blindly. I like the fact that the mechanism is very simple yet very effective. It is basically two rotating plates so there is not much which needs maintenance. Lowering needs a bit more sensitivity compared to other belay devices, though. However, even if the lever would be fully opened, there is still considerable amount of friction at both ends of the belay device; not sufficient to hold someone, though, of course! Overall, the "open position friction" is still less than in other half automatic belay devices.

BY FAR THE BEST PART OF MY SADDLE HUNTING SETUP! EAS TO USE AND VERY RELIABLE. BUILT TOUGH AND STRONG!

Slight learning curve, feeding slack one handed is easy. Taking slack is easy once used to the motion. Super safe, takes my climber immediately upon surprise falls. Lever system is easy to use and lower with. Actually prefer this over the grigri after getting used to it.

I use this device for rappeling when saddle hunting from trees. I use it with an 8mm Samson rope and it brakes perfectly. I also use a CT Climbing quick roll ascender with this rope and again that device also grabs and holds perfectly on this 8mm rope. Lastly, I use a blue water 7mm VT Eye to Eye prusik with a knut hitch. I had to add a 5th loop to the knut to get it to grab well and not bind up on the 8mm rope and once I added that 5th loop to the prusik it also worked perfectly as a back up to the vergo (always a good idea to back up your mechanicals, just in case). This is not the smallest brake/belay device but it is very smooth and is a great price.

This is an awesome and versatile device. I have been using it as a saddle hunting adjuster and am able to easily rappel out of the tree using this mechanical device. Compared to a figure 8, I can descend to my platform, hang and remove it, then continue descending the tree. With a figure 8 it was kind of sketchy to lock off and unlock to securely halt descent for long enough to remove platform.

after watching several videos, I felt comfortable selecting this site. I was able to attach it and repel down a tree within minutes of it arriving at my doorstep no issues safe lite.

I couldn't help but keep up with the 5 start impression with this belay. After comparing it to my other belay, which i returned(Gro Gri), I am excited to use this! I originally went with the GRI GRI and it was loud(i use for hunting) and any slack given it would not catch right away. I returned and went with this belay device. Catches me immediately if any slack given, much easier to use and much quieter! I feel very safe and secure with this device! Lighter, same price but more value. Decent color options. I will post a video or pictures at some point in use.

This product was easy to use and well built. I have never climbed using ropes before. This device made SRT (half rope technique) very easy to learn and use . I was up and down trees with ease . This is now part of my go to climbing gear for tree saddle hunting .