| When evaluating auto belays for purchase, | | | | - Magnetic: non-contacting self-regulating magnetic |
| consider the following: | | | | braking system with no wearing parts. No limit to |
| Safety | | | | the number of climbing cycles between annual |
| Did you know that auto belays are not governed | | | | certification inspections. Annual re-certifications are |
| by the same standards as other climbing industry | | | | inexpensive. |
| equipment? In fact, there is no climbing industry | | | | - Friction Brake Pad: Brake pad system with |
| standard pertaining to auto belay devices. | | | | expensive wearing parts. Low limits on the |
| TRUBLUE is the only auto belay device engineered | | | | number of climbing cycles before servicing is |
| to meet the same international safety standards | | | | required. Servicing is more expensive. |
| pertaining to other climbing gear. You wouldn't | | | | - Hydraulic: pressurized air/oil hydraulic system |
| climb with a harness that wasn't designed for | | | | with a potential for messy hydraulic fluid leaks and |
| safety. Why take your chances with an auto | | | | need to re-pressurize. Installation and access can |
| belay? | | | | be challenging. Factory service and re-certification |
| Modular or Stationary? | | | | is generally not possible. |
| Modular auto belays are compact, easy to install | | | | Cable or Webbing? |
| and move as needed, and can be used with any | | | | Cable-based systems can cause damage to |
| climbing wall. Modular auto belays give you | | | | climbing walls if the cable contacts the wall. |
| flexibility to move your auto belay devices to | | | | Webbing-based systems, like the TRUBLUE, will |
| accommodate a class, birthday party or other | | | | not damage walls. Plus, climbers prefer webbing |
| group programming. | | | | due to its more natural feel. In the case of the |
| Stationary auto belays are much larger and | | | | TRUBLUE auto belay, the webbing can be easily |
| heavier, and are permanently mounted behind the | | | | replaced in the field. |
| climbing wall, often requiring professional installation. | | | | Maintenance and Servicing |
| Permanently mounted auto belay devices cannot | | | | The price of an auto belay is only a piece of the |
| be shipped back to the manufacturer for | | | | overall cost of owning the unit. Maintenance |
| maintenance or re-certification. Accessing these | | | | requirements and servicing costs can vary greatly |
| stationary auto belays for required inspections can | | | | by product. Cable replacement in cable-based |
| be difficult and lighting is often poor, resulting in | | | | systems is expensive, and costs for site visits by |
| missed or incomplete inspections. | | | | servicing technicians for stationary/fixed auto |
| What Type of Technology? | | | | belays can be high as well. |