If you were thinking of buying a stich plate you might want to check this out-

http://www.joe-brown.com/outdoor-equipm ... aying.html

Even with 20% off at Cotswold some of these offers (mainly ones with a krab and stich plate) are better.

id advise stearing clear of the wild country variable controller - i've got one and it's pants

I hand the DMM bug before and it is not too good either. I would recommend ATC Guide from BD, really worth some extra money...

No point getting the guide what so ever unless you actualy know how to use it, you would be better off with the ATC or the ATC XP.

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Level-headed member of Gadd-vey

well, it is not too hard to get the idea even from the instructional video and it can be useful... true, not very useful for indoor/trad, but how often does one buy such device? You might as well go for some extra features you might find useful later..

Agree with the comment about the wild country variable controller, it's rubbish!

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Trousers

The normal variable controller looks a bit weird (I've never used one) but the "pro" one is pretty much the same as an ATC XP.

Erm, trad is where it fairs best.
Point made.

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Level-headed member of Gadd-vey

I meant trad the club usually does.. you rarely sit that much below the anchor..
it is of course useful on multi-pitch trad..

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massive punter

I got a reverso for Christmas which is pretty much the same as the atc guide and it's really useful! it's dead simple to use and not hard to figure out at all. Definitely worth having if you're into multipitch, and really good for wintering, it means you can eat, take photos etc. easily and safely while you belay and take in rope really quickly if your partners moving fast. And if you might be taking any of the next lot of freshers climbing it would be dead useful.

Also i used a variable controller for years and always found it to be good, but then loads people don't seem to like them, i never really understood why...

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.