SMC descender rings - availability?

[cavscout]

I use sling rings on my setup and have no problems with my 220 lbs. Great price and the color options are icing on the cake.

[Graybeard]

They are still listed in the SMC store. They seem to be grouped with the carabiners.

Very interesting. Just yesterday I was trying to get dimensions for the Omega descender rings and found only weight: 34 g. In the process I found an SMC descender ring that looked very similar to the Omega, but at 26 g. Both were quite different from my very old SMC rings which weigh only 11.7 g. I assumed that my very old ones had been replaced. And maybe they have, but the above link shows the old kind, like mine. Since these old ones have done a fine job of preventing me from descending, I'm glad I don't have to pay two or three times the price to get two or three times the weight.

[BrianWillan]

Very interesting. Just yesterday I was trying to get dimensions for the Omega descender rings and found only weight: 34 g. In the process I found an SMC descender ring that looked very similar to the Omega, but at 26 g. Both were quite different from my very old SMC rings which weigh only 11.7 g. I assumed that my very old ones had been replaced. And maybe they have, but the above link shows the old kind, like mine. Since these old ones have done a fine job of preventing me from descending, I'm glad I don't have to pay two or three times the price to get two or three times the weight.

The climbing shop where I got my SMC Descending Rings has them listed at 11g and 16.6kN (3742 lbs). I found them listed at REI and their specs were 26 grams and 32kN (7194 lbs). So twice the strength for a little more than twice the weight.

I hope this sheds some light on the mystery. The ones at my local shop (mec.ca) retail for $3.00 Canadian.

Cheers

Brian

[opie]

Very interesting. Just yesterday I was trying to get dimensions for the Omega descender rings and found only weight: 34 g. In the process I found an SMC descender ring that looked very similar to the Omega, but at 26 g. Both were quite different from my very old SMC rings which weigh only 11.7 g. I assumed that my very old ones had been replaced. And maybe they have, but the above link shows the old kind, like mine. Since these old ones have done a fine job of preventing me from descending, I'm glad I don't have to pay two or three times the price to get two or three times the weight.

I think what you saw was SMC's rigging ring.

[Rikall]

Another alternative: Titanium Rap Ring

Dimensions: 2" / 5cm
Weight: 0.7 oz / 20g
Rated Strength: 30kN

http://www.ushba.com/catalog/access.html#rap

[Graybeard]

I think what you saw was SMC's rigging ring.

Yeah, I'm sure that when they come out with a more expensive version they rename the old version. They mention in the write-up that it's used extensively in fabricating specialized equipment for rescues, etc. I'm using them extensively in fabricating specialized equipment for sleeping.

[Cuffs]

SCORE!

My buyer was just showing me some new climbing gear (biners and such) and I noticed that one was from SMC... Soooooo, I had to ask... "can we get other SMC stuff? Like descender rings?" "Of course." was the immediate answer!

Hes off to his desk to order them asap!

I'll let you know when we have them on the sales floor here in Bham!

[Cuffs]

For Those Of You In The Greater Birmingham Area ----

Smc Descending Rings Are Now Available At Alabama Outdoors' Homewood Location!! $2.95 Ea.