Wild Country Revo Review
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Name: Wild Country Revo
Website: Amazon.com
Manufacture: Wild Country
Weight: 285g or 10 oz
Rope Range: 8.5 – 11mm (EN 892 1998 Type A)
EN Standard: EN 1515-1 TYP8
Made: Italy
Overall Rank: Newest device, no rating yet…
Wild Country Revo, Product Overview
The Revo is a Wild Country newest tube-style belay device with a backup-locking mechanism. It is a new form of the assisted braking system. Unlike the Grigri, its main function works just like an ordinary tubular belay device. The belayer is still responsible for the guiding of the rope, catching the climber, and the brake. The assisted brake system act as a backup auto-locking. It does not engage until the rope passes through the device at a velocity greater than 4 meters per second or roughly 10cm of slack. This usually happens when the belayer makes a mistake and loses control when the climber falls. The automatic function cannot be overridden.
The braking mechanism inside the Revo works on the centrifugal force of a spinning wheel. As the rope passes through at a set velocity or greater, the brake is engaged automatically. It does not rely on the friction of the different size ropes therefore the Revo performs well with thin or thick rope.
Another feature that no other assisted braking device possesses is its symmetry. The Revo allows bi-directional rope loading. This helps avoids common mistakes in loading the ropes. A left-handed belayer will enjoy this feature as well.
The Good & the Bad
The Good:
PRO #1 – It is the first bi-directional belay setup which means you can set the rope in the device in either direction and it is correct. This prevents the dropping of the climber. This is the common mistake most new belayers make in loading the rope hence accidents happen. It is great for left-handed as well as right-handed.
PRO #2 – It functions as a regular tubular belay device but with a backup brake system just in case the belayer makes an error. The automatic lock engages when the rope passes through the device with a velocity of 4 meters/second.
PRO #3 – Feeding the rope through to the lead climber is easy and smooth because of the circular wheel. There is no restriction or friction.
PRO #4 – Wild Country featured the device to be the “safest belay device on the market.”
PRO #5 – The Revo performs quite well with thin rope as well as thick rope ranging between 8.5 and 11mm. Because the brake mechanism does not rely on friction so the diameter of the rope is not a big factor for braking
The Bad:
CON #1 – The Revo is expensive and heavier in comparison to other assisted braking belay device available. MSRP is at $145.
CON #2 – It cannot handle multi-rope belay or rappelling. The circular mechanical system may freeze when exposed to cold weather so it may not handle well for ice climbing.
CON #3 – Because the automatic lock does not trigger until the belayer falls at a certain velocity, the Revo lacks the ability to assist the belayer with additional friction in holding the rope while the climber hangs in midair or pursuing a hard climbing project.
Who is Wild Country Revo For?
The Revo would be great for climbers who would like to have “the safest belay device on the market” and/or into having the latest innovative idea for an assisted braking device. I think it is a pretty neat gizmo. It is also a great belay device for new climbers to learn how to manage the rope and belaying without fear of making mistakes such as dropping the climber.
Wild Country Revo Training Video
Here is an introductory video by Wild Country for the Revo:
My Final Opinion of Wild Country Revo
The Revo is an amazing innovative device. To summarize, it has two major features that other assisted device do not have:
- It is symmetric for bi-directional loading of rope which avoids common loading mistakes. Because of the symmetry, the Revo is also an ambidextrous device for the left-handed or right-handed belayer.
- The assisted braking device actives only when the rope velocity passes through at 4 meters or more per second. It acts as a backup brake system when the belayer lose control of the rope. Otherwise, it is just a normal tubular device.
I can see that the Revo can be the safest belay device on the market. Another great article review of the Revo tested in the field by www.outsideonline.com is called “Testing Wild Country’s Revo Belay Device.”
I personally love new gizmos and the Revo would constitute a new and neat gizmo. However, because of the cost, it is not a must-have for me. I am on a little cheap end. My current ATC Pilot or tubular device will do the belaying job nicely. I can use the extra money toward trad gear such as cams, tricams, nuts, etc.
Wild Country Revo at a Glance…
Name: Wild Country Revo
Website: Amazon.com
Manufacture: Wild Country
Weight: 285g or 10 oz
Rope Range: 8.5 – 11mm (EN 892 1998 Type A)
EN Standard: EN 1515-1 TYP8
Made: Italy
Overall Rank: Newest device, no rating yet…
I hope you found this review helpful in your search for that perfect assisted braking belay device. If there are any questions or comments, please leave them for me below. I shall get back to you within 24 hours or less.
