Petzl Zillon Review

[@alexworks9659]

Just picked up a 4meter zillion (initially didn’t want such a long lanyard) schmooooooth. And great for double tie in for long reach work position pruning.

[@EastyUK]

Love the zillon. Cut it off and made a hybrid adjustable on a 30ft rope to switch out the captain hook. Thanks for the video.

[@matthewharvey8755]

Ouch! $225 for the lanyard setup.... But the zigzag is definitely my fav, ugh I hate buying new gear(till I get it)

[@cesspool1676]

I just make my own anymore. My main lanyard is just a basic drt set-up with your prussik and rope of choice with a micro pully instead of a hitchclimber (less bulky and cheaper to make). It functions the same way with the addition being able to clip both biners into your bridge, effectively becoming a short climbing line to give you more versatility when work positioning.

[@teddy_bearc_bolten3885]

All pieces considered and brand new how much would it cost to make it.

[@cesspool1676]

@@teddy_bearc_bolten3885 2 biners, 50$....micro pully, 30 or less.... eye to eye prussik, 30 or less. Any short piece of rope, we have tons of it laying around at the shop. I prefer one with an eye splice at the end. Around 100$ total. Similar high end lanyards costs upwards of 200$

[@MattGlynn]

Looks smart, I have the ART positioner - love it. I do use the zigzag too so I would love to give this a try.

[@Stridertrees]

I Have been running the ART more recently, and its hard to beat its elegance and simplicity. but the zillion is wonderfully smooth.

[@MattGlynn]

@@Stridertrees Ace. I would imagine it's just the same as the zigzag which I am a massive fan of. Being able to release smoothly under load is a massive game changer.

[@briankennedy1313]

Petzl makes those snaps that open on the end also for a proper lanyard snap rather than a carabiner.

[@chillipphi]

My favorite setup is a 10m lanyard with and extra hitch stored on the tail. The main adjuster is a DMM Pinto and hitch. Maybe someday I’ll update to the Zillon or something mechanical. But I’ll keep the length and extra attachments for work positioning

[@zlinky1111]

Can the Zillon be removed from their rope and used with a wire core lanyard?

[@Maty-fisherman]

Wow that's a great device I like how you can use it as a DRT set up to.

[@davideaton5642]

Excellent review. Really appreciate your experienced opinion. Didn't recognise you mate with specs on and no helmet!

[@treeclimbingadventures]

What longer rope did you put on it, I see Petzl only do a 5.5m and I'd love a 10m. Thanks!

[@Stridertrees]

I have liked using Sterling Tritech, it offers a bit of extra protection from abrasion and incidental hand saw contact, as well as some heat resistance in case another rope runs across it or something like that.

[@treeclimbingadventures]

Thanks!

[@patriotarborist711]

I use the ZigZag as well. Does it bother you or is there a solution to the rope continuously slipping through it when it is unweighted? I hope I described it right. Thanks

[@srdoberman]

Liked the review and points made....thanks

[@EricJemAndes]

Thanks for the details. I’ve been looking for confirmation that the zillion was also rated for a second SRT device like you mentioned. I currently run two lanyards with French VT prusiks, using them for v-rig, and, at times short distance ddrt movements. Thanks for helping me decide on my next lanyard purchase. Just real quick though, does the zillion have the same pressure cracking issue that the zigzag does? What the average life span of the device itself?

[@Stridertrees]

I guess I should clarify, the Zillon is not explicitly approved for SRT use with chicane or rope wrench just like the original zigzag was not officially approved. It has worked for me well in those configurations, but your experience may vary depending one diameter of rope and your weight etc. as far as a pressure cracking issue, the zigzag tends to develop cracks in the links over time with much use and I would expect the zillon to have a similar weakness however it’s not usually required to carry as much weight at the primary climb system, so I would suspect it would last longer. My zigzags seem to survive roughly a year of solid production use and I’ve only had my first one develop cracks. my zillon has not noticeably worn at all in the year or more I’ve been using it but I will keep watching it. I could not speak to averages as it depends heavily on how rough the use.

[@EricJemAndes]

Strider TreeGear thanks! I appreciate the extra detail

[@Stridertrees]

i've had better durability with my zillons than with my zigzags, and the manual that comes with the Zillon indicates that it is acceptable to use it in a doubled rope configuration.

[@teddy_bearc_bolten3885]

Yea I’m getting this

[@KennysTreeRemoval]

Great review buddy. Thank you

[@Blacktenshi86]

Can u unlock the other end and used as a double line positioning system?

[@PrairieStormPaintbal]

Nice. Thanks for the video. Does it ever slide out on you if caught on a branch?

[@Stridertrees]

Yes that’s certainly the biggest downside ! It does sometimes release if my bridge rope or a branch catches it just right to release it.

[@neild7971]

i have had that with other devices too. slashing out a small co-dom conifer top and the foliage brushing enough to release my hitch(bit of a rogue manouver i know, but i will probably be doing it again, next time i will throw in a quick knot below the device as a fail safe, also a knot when snap cutting and holding heavier pieces).

[@aliray1165]

Strider have you done any reviews of the 4srt chest harness and how it integrates with various devices, in particular I’d like to see the zig zag, turbochester and the chicane, I can’t work it out..... cheers!

[@203_climber]

so it’s a smaller more compact ZIG ZAG? that CAN be used in a MRS configuration. so we can use it as our primary support system ??

[@arianvakili8964]

Will it work if you put a thimble prusik for tight spots?

[@brandonsklenar0321]

A prussik with a micro pulley to help tend the slack I find is just as smooth

[@jbbolts]

still using the same setup?I just threw one together with the gear I already have on hand with a basic prusik and a grigri ...havent tried it yet

[@brandonsklenar0321]

@@jbbolts yes I still use the prusik and micro pulley, I swear by it it's great

[@joshgingerich]

what size rope do you have in the video?

[@finksies23]

Cool video and channel. What’s with your waist strap on your saddle? I run a tree motion but am thinking about going to new tribe. Like the idea of a saddle with a little more support

[@angryjay06]

Tom if you are going new tribe put the money out for the monkey beaver harness. Its made for real life tree work. I have been climbing since 1993. I got the harness 2 years ago. I'm 45 now and can see myself still climbing into my fifty's. It is so supporting and comfortable.

[@davidmoore8741]

I use a class 5 rescue Yates harness, I also do rope access for buildings. If I don't want my shoulder straps I just unclip and clip them into my butt d ring and let them dangle. I've had my Yates for 15 years now. Technically it supposed to be retired according to osha but no frays or anything wrong with the harness and zero popped stiches, if I want more leg/ass support I grab my cmi rescue boyson chair, nice thick wide padding for my skinny ass lol.

[@Diggy86]

Hey man, video was alot of help, this lanyard seems strait forward.. I'm looking to buying one of these right now. As far as the actual zigzag and release part. What are the chances the mechanical parts of that give out or go bad?

[@matthewharvey8755]

I've only seen 1 zigzag have to be replaced... Only because the guy left his gear bag under the tree and about a 300 pound chunk snapped off and landed on it lmao

[@davidmoore8741]

The first gen had a recall from the mechanical prusik plates cracking at the pins, but gen 2 and the pro (gen 3) have had zero issues, I have heard of guys who r over 200lbs have issues with certain climb lines saying it slips a lil and then settles and it's fine. I'm 155, I've had zero issues, I had the gen 1, heard about the recall a couple months afterwards, called petzal and had a new one (gen 2) overnighted for free and sent mine back in the package

[@vicvic7678]

Where can I buy this device ?

[@davidsmith9]

Hey man where'd you get that hat?

[@ralphlawson8294]

Is this steel core

[@zacharyvought5597]

Anyone have recommendations for a carabiner to use with the zillion?

[@bradmetcalf7832]

Good video, never seen one in use. Don't like the price, going to stay with the ART II.

[@chtclimbing]

isnt the ART II expensive as well???

[@davidmoore8741]

Grillion is what I use.

[@mvblitzyo]

Great review ..

[@albertovenegas2072]

Heeey that device looks like works greate am gonna get 1 😁😁😁👏👍thanks compadre

[@hugogarcia3193]

Not money to buy one ..can it b make with other little rope??????

[@ricardocastrosolano8229]

En donde puedo comprar ese exactamente

[@dqmc07]

It’s a great item when your secured, but I mostly deal with dead trees so I prefer not to have any sewn eyes or stopper knots on the end in case I need to break away fast if anything snaps, And a prusik cord allows me to slide it off the end in the event of an emergency getaway. And so right about the rope grabs, I threw mine away. God bless mate

[@Stridertrees]

That’s a great consideration. One of the ways I mitigate the risk on a hairy cut is by using a DMM accessory biner as an attachment point so it can break away in a bad scenario. I’ve also changed out rope With tritech for my zigzag and I have a stopper knot instead of sewn eye on the hip attachment side so I can also slide my zigzag off if I need to in the right scenario but unlike a prussic cord the zillon won’t stick to a sappy lanyard. ;)

[@dqmc07]

Strider TreeGear that’s a great way too, I even seen Reg secure his lanyard to an accessory loop which is not rated in a sketchy tree, which I thought was a great way too, another climber mentioned he ties it to his belt loop, but that zillon does look smooth and your right, it wouldn’t get stuck by pitch if your tail end is clear, Thanks again for your review.

[@CatDaddySteve]

Knife

[@dqmc07]

@@CatDaddySteve If you have the time

[@briankennedy1313]

Btw it’s expensive because it’s not just the adjuster. It’s everything rope and all.

[@jodelboy]

what's your chest harness?

[@josiahgeorgeson435]

jodelboy it’s called the “chesty” I’m not sure who makes it, but since I got the suspenders for the MB harness I don’t use it anymore :)

[@Brandon6453]

4srt chester

[@josiahgeorgeson435]

Brandon6453 thanks, that’s it

[@AnzeTheSloUser]

Can it be cut with a chainsaw or is it made similar to micrograb? Thanks

[@Stridertrees]

The actual lanyard is just rope, and can be cut with a handsaw or chainsaw fairly easily. (it has no wire core) if thats what you're asking?

[@mikehunt2667]

@@Stridertrees wire core can be cut with a chainsaw easy

[@chtclimbing]

NO HELMET, WHY?? PPE police is not far behind me. LOL even though your not far off the ground LOL. Great video man keep them coming, they are very entertaining. CHEERS and Greetings from Jersey

[@jeffschroeder9089]

Nice saddle

[@mrlyg526]

ART positioner is better I think .

[@integritytreecare4794]

I dig the zillion but absolutely can’t stand that thick rope it comes with. I wish they would allow any rope of your choosing , like they do with the zig zag.

[@Surfbeagle381]

About the music less is more

[@briankennedy1313]

ART is better. Or even the Thompson tree tools adjuster. It’s just two links of the unicender. You don’t need a pulley.

[@davidmoore8741]

I will stick with my grillion, half the price.

[@jamesford9222]

Do you think it is safe to use The Petzl EASHOOK OPEN CARABINER on the Petzl zillon?

[@stevefarley7014]

I use mine like that

[@jamesford9222]

@@stevefarley7014 Thank you very much.

[@stevefarley7014]

@@jamesford9222 I should think people won’t readily respond to this question because the answer is complicated based on the climbers end-use and the climbing rules you’re trying to follow. Recent ANSI updates require double locks when running lanyards for arborist positioning. The eashook is only a single lock. These rules don’t apply to recreational climbers but nobody likes to think they’re not following recommendations for safe operation in a tree. I’ve considered updating my hooks to triple lock carabiners but personally I’m reluctant. Double lock hooks are available but won’t attach to a sewn eye.

[@jamesford9222]

@@stevefarley7014 I figured since it was the same mechanism that is on my wired lanyard it would be OK. But I definitely need to be within the guidelines. Thank you for the reply.