Tree World  


Go Back   Tree World > Tree Work Graphics - Videos and Pictures > The Video Forum


Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10th May 2007, 09:07 PM   #1
Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist
 
Eric Frei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 12,792
Default Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ekka View Post
He's got those bizaar Gecko's.

I haven't climbed on them but tried them on, I dunno, if ya climbed on Bashlin alloys with caddy pads then you'd be able to make a fair comparison.

But I might give them a try on Tuesday on some cocos palms.
And we have video footage.

I gave them a go, and Jim tried the caddies with Bashlin alloys, short gaffs.

Hands down, Bashlin alloys with caddie pads leaves the Geckos for dead.

I found the Gecko's twist on your knee more and the pad of the caddies is better on your shins.

9.7mb WMV video

www.treeworld.info/video/geckos.wmv
Eric Frei is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10th May 2007, 09:43 PM   #2
Moderator
 
JohN Dee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Climbing around the world
Posts: 855
Default

Great vid. Lol Jim you spoil sport :P

I climb in Steel Buckingham Shorts w/velcro wraps (Comfy as, except my arch aches), I have a set of Longs hanging up in the garage, havn't used them full on yet in a removal... Guess I'll have to get around to it soon eh?

What are the advantages with Shorts vs Longs?
__________________
We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT...

Red : Green : Blue
JohN Dee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th May 2007, 09:46 PM   #3
Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist
 
Eric Frei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 12,792
Default

You need to get those caddy pads.

You need long/short gaffs depending on the tree. For example, a chunky ironbark I use longs, a pine tree I use longs, a cuban I use shorts.

But the caddie pads shit on those velcro pads and way cheaper.

http://bit.ly/qpoAEf
Eric Frei is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10th May 2007, 10:05 PM   #4
Mature tree
 
jim1nz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: International, Germany
Posts: 476
Default

Haha yea they were good as, i was just practicing my Aussie accent

I was genuinely surprised, they felt real real solid.
__________________
SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE
jim1nz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th May 2007, 10:15 PM   #5
Moderator
 
JohN Dee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Climbing around the world
Posts: 855
Default

What is the difference?

My pads slip over the top of the hook, they have a steel plate inserted in them, then you put them around the wire piece and pull them back to the required tightness. What makes the caddies better?
__________________
We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT...

Red : Green : Blue
JohN Dee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th May 2007, 10:17 PM   #6
Moderator
 
JohN Dee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Climbing around the world
Posts: 855
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jim1nz View Post
Haha yea they were good as, i was just practicing my Aussie accent

I was genuinely surprised, they felt real real solid.
Lol I thought you were putting on an accent there .
__________________
We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT...

Red : Green : Blue
JohN Dee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th May 2007, 10:41 PM   #7
Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist
 
Eric Frei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 12,792
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohN Dee View Post
What is the difference?

My pads slip over the top of the hook, they have a steel plate inserted in them, then you put them around the wire piece and pull them back to the required tightness. What makes the caddies better?
You will find those pads ...

Dig in your shin, perhaps you have inserted a piece of foam or carpet like many.

The shank or shaft of the climbers will try to twist the pad assy toward the back of your calf.

The velcro gets grubby and sticks less as time passes. You will find yourself fixing this up in the tree as time passes

The back of the pad bunches up or is twisted and gets uncomfortable.

The entry angle of the spur isn't quite natural and you'll have to be consciously spiking in.

They cost twice as much as caddies.

----------------------------

Caddie pads are a cast alloy block that simply has no give in it, they're rigid and nothing can move or twist ... rock solid every time.

The inside of the pad is soft foam and very comfortable. You will not feel the steel cutting across your shin bone, when climbing the flat part of your climbers that sits in your arch wont roll over to the edge as the pads keep the shaft of that climber at the side of your leg not behind the calf muscle.

Climb with caddies and you'll never look back. I gave my cinching velcro's away to Brother Colin almost straight after I tried the caddies ... no comparison.
Eric Frei is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 24th May 2007, 05:58 PM   #8
Semi-mature vigorous tree
 
Mike Poor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Urbana, IL,usa
Posts: 69
Default

The problem with Geckos is the soft steel they used to make the gaff. Nobody would use junk steel like that for even a butter knife. The pad etc. is the most comfortable of all (even more comfy than buck velcro pads) and very light! I modified mine to fit buck pole gaffs and now they work great. (before they would pop out of lignified dead wood)
Mike Poor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st November 2007, 03:26 PM   #9
Sappling
 
reachtreeservice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 28
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Hey Erik, I noticed in the vid you were using what looked like a gibbs on your line with a running bowline. And I didn't see a decending device in the line like in your other vid . What are your reasons for the gibbs and no descender ? Also what are you using for your flipline lanyard adjuster ? Thanks !
reachtreeservice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st November 2007, 03:54 PM   #10
Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist
 
Eric Frei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 12,792
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

I just had 2 lanyards.

One is attached to my centre D's and girthed to the tree loose so if I did slip it would cinch off and hold (I hope).

I often take 2 flip lines when doing palm TD's.

If I need to change over saws I often have a so called "shit rope" hanging from rear of my harness to use for saw swaps.

Why do I do that?

Coz I dont want to bomb crap on my lifeline, I dont want it hanging down the trunk of the palm where I might spike it, it's not wire cored, it's not as easy to do a change-over with it up in the head as not as heavy to flick etc.

Downside, you cant come to ground if you needed to. So I use a lifeline when cleaning palms but not for TD's, I'll come down with the palm when cutting blocks.

Debate/argument: If you needed to come back down on a cinched lifeline (unless you had a figure 8 already) in you'd get stuck anyway. Plus, you shouldn't come down unless the palm is done anyway.

So, for palm TD's I take 2 flip lines. If I think for whatever reason I need to come down then I'll take a lifeline or "shit rope" to pull one up.
Eric Frei is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 1st November 2007, 04:02 PM   #11
Sappling
 
reachtreeservice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 28
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Thanks Erik , Are both of your flipline adjusters gibbs? That one on your hip looks differant.
reachtreeservice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st November 2007, 04:26 PM   #12
Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist
 
Eric Frei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 12,792
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Yeah, that's a Moxham rope adjuster
Eric Frei is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 5th November 2008, 03:17 AM   #13
Part of the Furniture
 
newguy18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: orlando,fl
Posts: 4,977
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

i love mine.


Attached Thumbnails
Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads-picture027.jpg   Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads-picture061.jpg  
__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler
newguy18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th November 2008, 03:07 PM   #14
Semi-mature vigorous tree
 
FlashD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 213
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

I don't see much difference between the Bashlins with caddy pads and the Buckingham "Bucklites" with the cast pads. Are they as similar as they seem? I ask because my boss sells the "Bucklites" and they seem pretty nice, but if the Bashlins are better... well, you know the story.
FlashD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th November 2008, 03:27 PM   #15
Part of the Furniture
 
newguy18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: orlando,fl
Posts: 4,977
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

i have steel bucks with caddy pads,best setup i've used so far.Before these i had a set of kleins with L pads.
__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler
newguy18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th April 2009, 03:59 PM   #16
Sappling
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: B.C., Canada
Posts: 46
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

No offense Ekka, but it looks like your mind was made up before you even stepped to the tree. Its obvious just by watching the video, with the geckos on every step is tentative and unsure, the Caddie pads you practically run up the tree.
Ive used 'caddie' pads for a long time, they are the de rigeur in this area, I always felt there must be something better than a 1" Nybuk strap cutting into the back of my calf for 6 hours a day, I found it eventually, the Buckingham Super Wrap(steel insert) pads blow them away, in my opinion of course, ever try em ?
Still enjoy your tests, even if this one seems a lil biased
-Grais
Grais is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th April 2009, 09:16 PM   #17
Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist
 
Eric Frei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 12,792
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Caddies rule, I gave away those velcro cinch pads, they suck!

You forgot the other person in the video eh?
Eric Frei is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 26th April 2009, 11:40 PM   #18
Mature tree
 
vl2007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 421
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

My Geckos are very comfortable! They rule from my vantage point. My first pair was Buckingham, and they hurt like hell. I don't even know I'm wearing the Geckos. When I get the extra cash, I may give the Caddies a try.
vl2007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th June 2009, 08:11 AM   #19
Sappling
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: B.C., Canada
Posts: 46
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Caddies are great, especially so if you enjoy a one inch nybuck strap digging into the back of your calf all day. Same as if you were using the L, or T pads so common.
I climbed on them for years and will never go back. Im serious, Ive let die hard caddie pad users, guys who have never tried anything else but caddies, use them and they were ALL sad having to go back to their `caddie` pads afterward.
As for your points of contention Eric, Ive encountered none of them, after climbing for 4-5 says a week for 3-4 months now. I have had two instances where my saw pads got kinda folded up and dug into my boney ass shin(real boney shins on me, perhaps that is one reason I prefer what I use), but after checking it out, I simply spend one moment to make sure my saw pants are situated under the wrap cap properly, and I am good to go for hours on end.
Im not bullshitting, or trying to start an argument, just relating MY personal findings, Eric you talk as if every other thing is garbage compared to the Caddie pad, buts its simply not the case.
They are great(caddies), and Ill admit affordable, for some guys, but so are a lot of other things, Big Buck pads are real nice, and get away from that single one inch strap, as do the Bashlin double wide pads, and a few others I have seen.
Choices.
Stay safe gang,
-Grais.
Grais is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th June 2009, 08:16 AM   #20
Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist
 
Eric Frei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 12,792
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grais View Post
Caddies are great, especially so if you enjoy a one inch nybuck strap digging into the back of your calf all day.
LOL,

That's like saying dont wear a belt because you get a guts ache. Seriously, how tight are you doing up your straps?

I find doing them up just enough is fine, but you can get padding that the strap runs through if you want.

I see a lot of Gecko's for sale 2nd hand but caddies .... well never.
Eric Frei is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10th June 2009, 11:42 AM   #21
Part of the Furniture
 
newguy18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: orlando,fl
Posts: 4,977
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

I never had an issue with the straps cutting into my leg either,seriously how tight do you run yours?
__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler
newguy18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11th June 2009, 05:52 AM   #22
Former Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 2,512
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Usually pulled to the hole as tight as I can get them, and then back one.

Don't wanna cut off circulation, but don't like em wobbling around a little either.
Therrin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11th June 2009, 01:42 PM   #23
Part of the Furniture
 
newguy18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: orlando,fl
Posts: 4,977
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

I get them snug so the top of the pad can't move,but it sounds like he pulled his too tight.
__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler
newguy18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2010, 08:12 PM   #24
Former Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 2,512
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Just got the big buc pads with the steel insert that wraps around the shin, which are also thick felt padded, and double strapped.

Cant wait to try them out.

Between these new pads and the footplates it'll be like a whole 'new pair of spikes! (and, they'll look like righteous contraptions to boot) (no pun meant)

Attached Thumbnails
Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads-big-bucs.jpg  
Therrin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6th January 2010, 10:48 PM   #25
Mature Tree
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 1,605
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

RUN Therrin, RUN!

Attached Thumbnails
Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads-forrest.jpg  
TrevMcRev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th January 2010, 09:25 AM   #26
Former Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Posts: 2,512
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Attached Images
 
Therrin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th January 2010, 01:14 PM   #27
Sponsor
 
SchafferLoaders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 34
Question Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Hey Guys,

I don't know anything about climbing, can you tell me - do you only use this style of climbing if you are cutting the tree down or would a bigger tree have no problem (altough I guess it looks pretty unsightly?).
I'm think they could be handy for coconuts.

Cheers,

Cam
SchafferLoaders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th January 2010, 06:24 PM   #28
Mature Tree
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 1,605
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Quote:
Originally Posted by SchafferLoaders View Post
Hey Guys,

I don't know anything about climbing, can you tell me - do you only use this style of climbing if you are cutting the tree down or would a bigger tree have no problem (altough I guess it looks pretty unsightly?).
I'm think they could be handy for coconuts.

Cheers,

Cam
Hi Cam,

Spurs/spikes are really only used for removals, by anyone who actually "cares" for trees anyway. Your more "lop n chop" type folk may be ignorant to the damage it causes and use them for pruning anyway, though that said, their "pruning" is usually just as/more damaging that the spurs!

Trev
TrevMcRev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8th January 2010, 08:49 PM   #29
Sponsor
 
SchafferLoaders's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 34
Talking Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Thanks Trev,

They look like a handy bit of gear!
Might be good to avoid the crowds at the next fireworks show

Cam
SchafferLoaders is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th January 2010, 02:43 PM   #30
Part of the Furniture
 
newguy18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: orlando,fl
Posts: 4,977
Default Re: Gecko climbers vs Caddy Pads

Quote:
Originally Posted by Therrin View Post
Just got the big buc pads with the steel insert that wraps around the shin, which are also thick felt padded, and double strapped.

Cant wait to try them out.

Between these new pads and the footplates it'll be like a whole 'new pair of spikes! (and, they'll look like righteous contraptions to boot) (no pun meant)

Shoulda bought the caddies.
__________________
Have your say join us today.


old schooler
newguy18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT +11. The time now is 10:51 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Advertising on Treeworld | Your Business Directory
TreeWorld @ 2011