Chinese gear

[gbagua]

I came across this deal on eBay:

Figure of 8 and HMS carabiner

I'm only going to use it to abseil once or twice probably for what is worth since I am no longer a rock climber, so very little to next to zero use.

Is it worth the risk?

Cheers!

[Moondog55]

NO

[michael_p]

I agree with moondog55. No way to tell the quality of the items on offer.

Check out http://www.climbinganchors.com.au. Cheapest figure 8 they have is under $14 and twist-lock carabiners from $12.50.

I have purchased from them and was happy with the transaction. Delivery was reasonably priced and quick.

Cheers,
Michael.

[vicrev]

The certification seems ok,but,the cheapest is not always the best,especially when your life is relying on it.......

[Gadgetgeek]

Given that Chinese companies don't seem to care about putting fake certification numbers on things, I'd say no. without spending that much more, you can get equipment that is of known quality. Munter hitches are not pretty, but they still work.

[Strider]

If you only want to use it once, I think it will be perfect for your needs

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[roysta]

[quote Check out http://www.climbinganchors.com.au.[/quote]

Excellent company, go there.

[walkon]

I've used this companies fishing tackle before and they were not bad. That said if it fails I'm only dropping a fish.

[Zone-5]

...yeah they look real smart, don't they at only $20 the lot!



Com'on, your life is worth more than this key ring bling, isn't it?

[Fr3d]

Will open with i don't climb or use climbing gear but I do know safety equipment.

Did a quick search about 'GM' gear, and came across this..

An excerpt from"http://outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/7344/is-this-chinese-rock-climbing-gear-manufacturer-reliable"

"The 2013 article has a more optimistic view, noting some of the in-house Asian stoves makers are showing "serious design and development work". An example of this would be with the Chinese stove-manufacturer Fire Maple, which appears to have added skilled engineering talent to their company and is doing its own development.

Returning to the "GoodMakings" company and their climbing hardware, I would be curious as to whether this company is an OEM for more well-known brands, as that suggests a better chance of manufacturing quality. (Someone with access to the appropriate testing equipment could likely order some of their items and run a few tests.)

Now for the questionable bit. I see their helmet displays the UIAA Safety Label (the image on the back of the helmet), but am not able to find mention of this brand in the UIAA's database. This is worrisome, and suggests a possibility that the certificate markings may be "purely decorative"."


Turns out the UIAA has a blacklist, which are companies that falsely claim they have UIAA certification. That itself to me would be concerning. Here's what they say about GM

GM: The UIAA has received email from climbers in USA, Brazil, Finland and Australia that GM advertising gear with the registered UIAA Safety label logo GM has never applied for a UIAA Safety Label. We consider this to be an unacceptable use of UIAA name in order to create the impression that these products have been tested and approved by the UIAA. The UIAA therefore, cannot guarantee that the products from GM meet up to the standard set by the UIAA Safety Label.

For not much more you can buy reputable equipment from a reputable store. I like to save a few $'s here and there but somethings aren't worth it.

EDIT: FYI http://www.theuiaa.org/Black-List-and-A ... tices.html

Last edited by Fr3d on Sun 07 Jun, 2015 9:30 am, edited 1 time in total.

[zac150]

To be fair the Chinese factory that makes these probably produces them under licence for half of the climbing companies, the difference is the climbing companies have product control and minimum standards.

So whilst the molds may be the same they may not use the same quality control so who knows what is going into them or how they are handled etc.

So id go with the comments above, and spend the extra few bucks.

Having said that I picked up some pretty good clothing from China 10 years ago and sleeping bags from Nepal, both have held up really well.

[beean]

Steve at Climbing Anchors has always been good to me. He'll set you up for a good price. His prices are very competitive even compared with overseas retailers.

I'd never consider buying climbing gear from an unknown brand unless I'd handled them in the flesh.

[gbagua]

http://www.climbinganchors.com.au.

Thanks! I wasn't aware of that site. Very competitive prices.

Cheers.