It is?
It isn't?
The problem with a Grigri is it can be easily overridden by human error. If you grab the thing in a panic or swing on the lever it'll be free-running. You know that thing when driving where if your wheels lock up and you start sliding, the instinctive thing to do is press the brake pedal harder?
I like them, as I say I've used one for decades. But I wouldn't let a new belayer near one until they'd absolutely bomb-proof mastered an ATC or similar first. (Honestly, I wouldn't want them near any fancy belay device until they'd learned how to reliably use something bog-standard.)
I think I might try and pick up one of those Smarts before I go climbing next. I'm intrigued.
Hmm , better than the other default of dropping someone... I've noticed I've become quite suspicious of people NOT using an assisted device, be it a GriGri or smart, pilot, megajul whatever.
Particularly old timers who don't hold many falls
The grigri can also see some lazy techniques for paying out rope, one hand holding it down (open) and what should be the hand on the dead end yarding the rope through the device. And belayers leaving their hand on the device holding it open. I have seen a couple of unnecessary massive falls due to both these user errors. Both at the crag not the wall.
But used correctly the grigri is ideal when working a sport route so I don't think the device itself is flawed.
