Kong X REVIEW

The Kong X is a huge, auto-locking carabiner that I recently got.  It is actually really big, which is the first thing you would notice about it.  The auto locking feature is pretty cool.  I don't think it's the best possible carabiner for the Grigri because of its size, but it works.  With an atc, however, this thing is awesome!  It is super easy to handle, and you don't have to worry about locking the carabiner.  A very good carabiner, but it costs about the same as the Attache carabiner by Petzl.  If you use a Grigri, then I would still go for the Attach, but if you use an atc, then this is your carabiner, that is, if you are ok with the auto-lock.

The Spirit Express

I was climbing at another touchstone gym today (Iron Works), and they had these Spirit Express quick draws by Petzl.  They were definitely the best carabiners I have ever clipped into.  They were super smooth, and it was super easy to put the rope into it.  Great carabiner, and thank you Iron Works for having those there!

Black Diamond Magnetron Carabiners

This is Black Diamond's coming new line of auto-locking carabiners using their Magnetron technology.  As you might be able to tell by the name, the carabiners have to do with magnets.  The magnets are attracted to the steel of the carabiner, so it will close by itself.  When the gate is open, however, the magnets will repel each other for easier gate use.  It seems like a cool carabiner, but no word on the price of them yet.

The Attache 3D

The Attache 3D is an ultra-light, ultra-strong, pear shaped belay carabiner by Petzl.  Petzl basically took their old Attache carabiner, and stripped off everything unnecessary.  But other than that, this is just another belay carabiner.  REI is selling the Attache 3D for $19.95, so I don't know that this is worth the price, especially because REI is also selling the old Attache for $13.95.  I think that the old Attache is perfectly fine, and much cheaper than the 3D.  I would just go for the old one.