Rock Exotica Akimbo Vs Unicender arborist review

More resources at www.stridertrees.com/ Strider is focused on training the next generation of climbers, arborists and other tree workers in safer, more efficient work practices at height and on the ground.
The ‪@Rockexotica-USA‬ SHOWDOWN. This is a quick demonstration and comparison of two popular multi-cender devices. I've used both extensively over the last year, and here are my thoughts. I have purchased these with my own money and currently have no sponsors so it is my unbiased assessment. But what do I know... maybe everything I said is totally irrelevant and you should just ignore it.
If you want to purchase either device and support my channel at the same time use this affiliate link!
For the Unicender: amzn.to/2AetbLS
For the Akimbo: amzn.to/2ZoEuJR

[@betternfred]

I've been running my uni for more than 3 years and it still functions great. The key to longevity is using clean ropes. Too many arborists don't wash their ropes and then their mechanicals wear out quickly; it's just like running sandpaper through it.

[@topsaw]

Great video, just found this channel and love it. Looks like my neighborhood in the foothills

[@user-sw3kq4te8g]

давно искал такой ролик ! поздравляю с таким видинием и многогранностью подхода, молодец! так держать!!!

[@jonathanirving5929]

Hi Mate, you totally nailed the review, I love the akimbo in oaks, eucalyptus, and not sappy trees, 11.7 ropes (prisim etc). Best tool period for passing over limbs, so compact. Sux bad on any pitched ropes. I also totally agree on the single line advance clip, pisses me off the way it unclips all the time, definately a WTF design balls up lol. Best device for transitioning between a lanyard tender, DRT, SRT when working a prune a large tree and you want one device to do everything. Keep up the great work on reviews.

[@karlwittig5966]

I love the spider jack3 best it feeds the rope as u go up and easy to control with only one hand without any resistance with weight of rope very easy around a lot of different friction point

[@OldSloGuy]

On descent, try using a loose foot lock to regulate the rope. Most descenders, as friction devices, follow the capstan law in that they are essentially friction amplifiers. That is why you need to have your other hand on the rope to regulate the descent. If you use a loose foot lock for regulation, you have a free hand to push off obstacles and grab gear. If you get too radical, in addition to a fun stripe on your rope, you will have a hot foot.

[@bwrightaway2877]

I'm just a homeowner who likes to climb and has acres of trees that need work done so i climb on the weekends and trim problem trees. I mostly climb SRT with a rope wrench & friction hitch. I find that there's a lot of "sit back" in my setup. It's like the whole "two steps forward, one step back". I'd like to buy a mechanical prussik because i feel like I'm climbing at least 50% more distance due to all the distance i lose on the "set back". Just being a "hobby" climber though, i can't justify spending so much on another piece of gear... at the moment. It started as "i just need spurs and a flip line" then came the rope wrench and ascender. Hitch climber, new prussiks, more carabiners,... had to get a silky hand saw... the endless pursuit of buying gear. I've spent a lot of money on gear lol

[@johngiannetti.]

Just something to look into, if you use a shorty tether and michoacan hitch, the system is much more compact and has less sitback. You will likely need a different length hitch cord for the michoacan though.

[@TreeCutterDoug]

Trying different lengths of hitch cord as well as different hitches, and you'll eventually find that "Goldilocks" combination for your weight and choice of rope. Although a mechanical climbing system is a larger expense out of the gate, most of our choices are plug and play (with the exception of the Akimbo) without needing adjustment, last for a great deal of time, and several options (to include the Akimbo) have replaceable friction points, to extend the life of the device. You're best bet would be to invite some local SRT climbers out for a day of recreational climbing (promises of lunch and/or beer afterwards tend to motivate tree guys,) and get them to demo and let you give a go on their systems and give you pointers on your own

[@JustMe-gw3eo]

Lol, all I need is a flip line and some spurs.... and a saddle and a some caribeaners and some rope and some pulleys and some other trinket and more rope and......on and on and on.

[@peterbaker168]

Ahhh the great game of just one more, we’re all there with you buddy

[@srdoberman]

Great review...thanks

[@mariomannelli9887]

Great video man

[@carlcox7332]

Another advantage to using the control mode with the uni is it minimizes friction to the friction links which extends the life of the device over all

[@jondor654]

Great explanations

[@harharciggare]

Great video thanks

[@arborealnaturalist]

I have had my akimbo ever since it came out, tie a little bit of dyneema throwline in a loop around the hole where you clip the main carabiner through the device and treat it just like the uniscender, works great that way.

[@samuelluria4744]

Could you please explain that in greater detail? Thanks!

[@FT4Freedom]

Yah. Explain please.

[@Sethhaun78]

As a tender going up he means

[@rrssmooth6643]

I thought the top of akimbo was not suppose to meet bottom of akimbo when descending which means not adjusted properly. The tinniest fault with the akimbo I found out is, if you have to adjust in poor light, trying to see what holes the pins are actually slotted into. Great on SRT though.

[@danielmclellan7020]

can you compare the unicender with the rope runner?

[@tylermajor4355]

Subscribed after he said no problemo!! 😂

[@firstbornmiddle]

Thank you for this great informative comparison. Have you had a go on the new Notch rope runner pro?

[@firstbornmiddle]

🤦‍♂️ just found you on Insta and see you have the new rope runner pro. Any plans for a video?

[@Stridertrees]

Yes I’ll be sure to do a review on that after a little more time running it ! First impressions and first weeks of use have been VERY positive

[@outofmytr3317]

Rope defect on the tethered side at 7:45? I dare say you have sorted this since July but worth a look regardless.

[@jacklewis3777]

I currently climb on a lockjack. Im considering trying SRT. I found pretty quickly that I prefered the lockjack over a friction hitch and a pulley. Would you recommend moving into srt with an akimbo or going in first with a rope wrench? I want to keep my cost down. I usually use 1 rope all the time, but would plan to have 1 for srt and one rope remaining on the lockjack.

[@Stridertrees]

If you are already comfortable with the lock-jack I would suggest the akimbo or rope runner pro for an SRT device. If you only have one rope you use all the time and are occasionally in pitchy trees like pine or fir, then perhaps start with the rope runner pro. If you get it well adjusted to your rope you’ll find it works well even on a somewhat dirty/sticky rope. You can also use SRT for access and switch over to a MRS without changing devices once you’ve reached your TIP if you prefer that for moving around the canopy. I often employ that method in the small/medium pruning operations.

[@tuberider1171]

@@Stridertrees Hey Strider - I'm curious as to why to switch to MRS as you say for small/medium pruning operations. I have only ever climbed MRS and was considering switching to SRS to save energy on hip thrusting .. to ascend. Have you got a video explaining this preference I wonder? Anyway, keep the reviews coming .. they're so honest and informative

[@waynegriswold8953]

i bet with the unicender a o rig would make taking in slack easier and also help out with hip thrusting, you could move it out so that every pull would under the uni

[@adammentzer8267]

As in below the device when tending slack with one hand?

[@subarutime5089]

All right

[@TheMarsgia]

No problemo. Bad Hombre

[@ammocabinets]

What are the benefits or advantages of each these system devices versus Zigzag plus? I'm asking this because I only know the zigzag, and I liked very much, but I would like to know other systems.

[@Stridertrees]

I've got an article I wrote comparing All the major SRT systems that explains how they perform compared to each other. I expect you'll find it useful! www.stridertrees.com/post/the_ultimate_guide_to_srt_climb_systems

[@chillipphi]

What are you hearing about the Unicender 2? Seems that if they incorporated the drum, lower rope catch, and steel construction it would hands down be the best and most versatile device out there.

[@Stridertrees]

I’ve played with the Uni-2 and I’m very excited about it! It really seems to do a great job solving all the issues I had with the original. And it’s more compact! I’m very excited for it

[@brandonsklenar0321]

When is it coming out?

[@trevethan82319841]

It's cheaper to just use a totem descender and there different ways to use it

[@traviscarr6536]

This is just crazy and not near as safe n easy as I do it. I generally take my large forklift and lift my loader straight up in the air with the loaders bucket fully extended n a ladder stuck out of the bucket. You all gonna hang yourselves with em ropes. I’m working on rigging up some 30-40ft poles attached to a 55gal drum that has the top cut out to put on the ol skid steer as a boom/bucket type apparatus. Y’all need to start thinking SafetyFirst.

[@tonykillingsworth9247]

I realize your joking ....thanks for the laugh.....tree work is a serious business..most every day could be life or Death situation !!!

[@traviscarr6536]

@@tonykillingsworth9247 I hear tale it’s not for the faint of heart. What I think is pretty wild is the amount of people who work at companies that are in the business of cutting trees but have a majority of employees that’s never climbed a tree before.

[@michaelpace1075]

Nice

[@edwindude9893]

Don’t you find your bridge to long for SRT ?

[@wvboy0311]

Im buyibg the unicender ive got the zig zag and chicane its just another tool in the tool box

[@bman6065]

I was wondering how long they last. I think I've gotten the best of mine

[@Stridertrees]

Longevity depends very highly on how dirty the ropes are and how rough, and regular the use. I couldn’t speak to the comparative life of each of them.

[@samuelluria4744]

That's a great question. Ostensibly, one could start out on a thinner line, and graduate to thicker and thicker ones(?)

[@vinchenzo1111]

Not a professional but from my understanding On the unicender you don’t need to touch the device to repel. You can just loop the slack end over the top and pull down. Should give you enough friction to stop when you pull or accidentally let go.

[@blakewright575]

3 years and still no updated version with the catch?

[@fatamb89]

Hey. Do u have any advice on how to get rid of sapp on ropes? I am using Petzl rig for climbing and its jamming really bad. I tried washing rope with mild soap, but it didnt do much removing.

[@Stridertrees]

I wish I knew, I just keep running the rope through oak bark and it usually cleans up eventually... There are a few products on the market intended for that but I’ve not tried them. I’ve heard mayonnaise can get spots of sap out as well, but I also haven’t tried that.

[@kyleostrowski9670]

Pine sol actually works excellent at removing pine tree sap, I usually have a 5 gallon bucket that I soak the ropes in for a few hours and then wipe it down with a towel and it should be clean

[@user-ot5pu8uc6l]

구경 잘 합니다,,

[@ryanprint8663]

Could you do a video on the ART spiderjack if you have it? I've not seen many folks using it, but I'm pretty curious.

[@Stridertrees]

If you go through my videos I believe I have one on that device specifically.

[@ryanprint8663]

@@Stridertrees Oh! Sorry man. I'd seen the video on the rope runner and other devices. I obviously haven't looked enough. Thanks!

[@2Husqy]

You ever climbed on the Bulldog bone? 💯

[@viisteist1363]

so zigzag is still the best and there isnt even any 4th one at all?

[@johnhildebrand1991]

i use a zigzag n chicane and hitch climbor n wrench

[@Sethhaun78]

Chicane works smooth with hitch climber pulley.. better then wrench even .only harder to instantly collapse

[@youngmodulus4617]

Coming from rope access I don't really understand why you guys don't use locking descenders, for example the petzl rig. Seems to meet all the criteria you are discussing in the video. Mid line attachable, couldn't be easier. Much more secure, the rope will never slip out of the device like you showed with the unicender. Super smooth on both descent and ascent, very easy to tend the rope on ascent too. Can even be operated with one hand, though not super smoothly. Cheaper than both devices shown in the video too. Also locks onto the rope a lot more securely, far less likely to slip. Just seems very outdated that the arborist community is so stuck on the prusik and mechanical analogues.

[@Stridertrees]

You bring a good point, I should do a video on the topic. What it comes down to is the ability to use foot and knee ascenders to go up and down a rope while remaining safely attached and without using any other gear. This is what these devices excel at. A Petzl rig can be tended when the rope is slack below it but can’t be advanced when the rope below and above it is tight.

[@youngmodulus4617]

@@Stridertrees true, foot and knee ascenders don't really work with a descender like a rig. In rope access the standard method is to use a hand ascender with a foot loop attached to the rope above the descender. Doing it this way the rope is easy to tend through the descender, alternatively you can transfer onto your chest ascender for a big climb. My rope access harness has a croll integrated to it but I would only use it to climb like 20 meters or more, I normally just stay on the descender.

[@katzelaw]

@@youngmodulus4617 Actually interesting you bring up rope access. I have done both rope access and climb trees. The biggest issue with using a descender like an ID or Rig is it doesn't do well for cold climates like where I live. It's also a lot of plastic so concerns about damage are definitely present for working with in a tree as it is not just the normal up, down, left, right like rope access. A lot more transitions to watch out for moving around a canopy, at least in my experience.

[@jiffypop247]

@@youngmodulus4617 look up rope walking and I think you'll get the idea. In tree work you can find yourself transitioning between ascent and descent 10 times in a tree. I only use the knee ascender for the initial long ascent and then a I do a frogwalker but the hand ascender is just my rubber coated gloves and a single foot ascender. I would be all for a more safety conscious industry but the way it's set up makes it very competitive. You would have to setup a crane above every tree you climbed to get anywhere close to the safety standards held by rope access workers.

[@youngmodulus4617]

@@jiffypop247 not commenting on the safety differences, that's a topic for a different discussion. It just seems like these mechanical prussic systems aren't the most efficient or user friendly. We switch from ascent to descent constantly too and manage just fine with a single hand ascender and a footloop, seems easier than using a knee ascender to me

[@user-pk3lp2qb7b]

Looks better than zigzag?

[@chadstall9328]

Bro when is the new version of the unicender coming out lol lmkkkkkk

[@Stridertrees]

Seriously!!! I can’t wait, it’ll probably be my go to if/when it does

[@Sethhaun78]

There's no such thing .why is everyone talking about that???? Richard Mumford makes a mod wear plate for it.but you have to take a pulley or bearing and drill your own slack pulley on it if you want the full moding,reon rounds had them but there mystreysly gone now imagine some legal nonsense

[@243WW]

Camera dude needs to show the review, not the reviewer... when your talking about the gear it would be nice to have a visual reference to the thing your talking about. But great review all the same.

[@FT4Freedom]

The Akimbo is amazing but not for sap. Period. Therefore it's not a primary universal device. It's great because it's sensitive but the sensitivity requires a consistent rope. Great for dry, clean ropes. Great in a gym. Probably Great on rock. But just not designed for half the trees. Requires adjustment when wet. I desperately want to love it but it's not worth the price for a secondary device. Especially since my life is 80% conifer.

[@right8630]

From what I understand u have the adjustment wrong you shouldn’t be able to fully collapse the akimbo but maybe I’m wrong.

[@Johnnyreengo]

I guess the next version of the unicender never came out

[@Stridertrees]

Sadly 🥲

[@leoga8521]

I really like the look of the unicender i think is the coolest looking out of all the mechanical prusiks but the fact that it wears out really fast and for 300 makes go back to the blakes hitch

[@soivan3016]

Combination

[@johnhildebrand1991]

but im kinda liking the akimbo im in indiana so i rarely see pitch if i climb pine then its usually dry with zero pitch and like 30 foot tall from lanscaper barying the tree in mulch

[@becksilverback9133]

740

[@Sethhaun78]

Where is this so called uni 2....??

[@samuelluria4744]

Where are you located?

[@Stridertrees]

PNW at the moment but headed East soon.

[@samuelluria4744]

@@Stridertrees - PNW doesn't tell _too_ much, haha.....when you say East, you mean Montana, Missouri, or Long Island??😜

[@Stridertrees]

@@samuelluria4744 in northern CA now looking at North Carolina most likely come spring/summer

[@samuelluria4744]

@@Stridertrees - North Carolina is a beautiful place. I'm in Jersey, but have family in Western North Carolina and Virginia... the Outer Banks are nice too, but, not a lot of trees, Lol

[@samuelluria4744]

@@Stridertrees - TreeBoi4Life Is the KZbin channel of Fernando from N.C. ....he's a great guy, check it out....

[@MrKores12]

so basically not worth for the high price, the whole jamming and no replaceable parts it's like climbing gear industry is taking the same road as the electronic industry, if it breaks then it breaks just throw it away and buy a new one and it's more of a show off rather than practicality.

[@TreeCutterDoug]

The Akimbo does have replaceable aluminum parts, and 50% of the contact points are stainless steel.

[@TreeCutterDoug]

Rock Exotica used to offer a rebuilt service for the unicender, at half of the original sale price. I'm not sure if that's still the case.

[@soivan3016]

Fg Function

[@user-vk8rg3jg4s]

Hi I like clip you

[@Joesdifferent]

When can we set up you to do a review for my product? Because if you listen to every word that you are saying and I'm only 2 minutes 5 seconds into your video you just told the obvious truth about the problematic situations that these designers are having and the problem they're having is they care too much about the lightest or the smallest and they totally disregarded all the other possibilities... I like aluminum but aluminum is a soft metal and it will wear pretty fast I am the only person with everything I Only Could wish everybody would want

[@TreeCutterDoug]

🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂🤣😆😂

[@tarikzemalis9357]

Lock the rope in your boots silly