Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
| Messages 1 - 53 of total 53 in this topic |
donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:13pm PT
|
Got a pair for a birthday present. I only use them for sport climbing and they work great. Really help ward off the "belayer's neck" syndrome.
|
|
mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:16pm PT
|
Jesus.
Climbing is doomed, Donini just sealed the deal.
|
|
Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:18pm PT
|
It says they can be used with reading glasses. I assume they work well with distance glasses also?
|
|
neversummer
Trad climber
30 mins. from suicide USA
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:19pm PT
|
Knott to sound like a smart ass but those are.....silly.
|
|
donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:19pm PT
|
Mucci, to add stock to your summation- the glasses were a present from Jay Smith and Kitty Calhoun.
edit: If you have climbed as long as I have belayer's neck becomes a real concern.
|
|
Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:20pm PT
|
Oh, I get it.
I was thinking they were made of leather.
|
|
WBraun
climber
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:20pm PT
|
Just see ....
Modern man has devolved and can't bend neck no more .....
:-)
|
|
HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:27pm PT
|
100 euros?
ouch!
I guess when I've belayed as many pitches as donini, I won't be able to bend my head back either.
Wait a minute....my entire premise is impossible.
|
|
mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:27pm PT
|
Jay and Kitty "Re-Gifted" those spectacles Jim.
|
|
apogee
climber
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:27pm PT
|
About 5 years ago, I had a posterior foramenotomy procedure for a herinated disc at c6-c7- the mechanism remains undetermined, but I can't help but think that years and years of climbing (& especially, teaching climbing) was major contributor.
Still, I'm not sure I can bring myself to wear those things. I'd probably have to lose sensation in all my limbs first.
|
|
skitch
Trad climber
pdx
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:29pm PT
|
When I was in Spain all the older climbers had them on, they were also the only ones that weren't talking nonstop to the climbers next to them.
The cheaper ones look a lot more durable than the more expensive ones.
|
|
tahoe523
Trad climber
Station Wagon, USA
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:29pm PT
|
It's the yuppiest thing I own and while I have been shamed for it, I love them for single pitch and overhanging routes. I used them for an entire month in Spain, but now they're exclusively a bedroom item. I watch tv and read books while laying down with my head relaxed and the glasses flipped upside down. You can see your feet while looking up at the ceiling. A+ would buy again.
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:32pm PT
|
Unless she's really good looking why would I watch?
Since I am not then the original scenario is unlikely.
|
|
Trad
Trad climber
northern CA
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 12:35pm PT
|
This thread (below) is a little bittersweet given that some of the posters are no longer with us, but I still get a laugh out of both the original post and the Ouch! animation.
CU Belay Glasses... wow!
|
|
Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 01:01pm PT
|
They kick ass!
|
|
matiasek
climber
Davis
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 13, 2012 - 01:29pm PT
|
Thanks for all the fast responses. I am definitely already sold on the concept regardless of fashion points. What I am trying to decide is if the cheaper ones are good enough. I will have to look into their return policy.
thanks!
|
|
skitch
Trad climber
pdx
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 01:30pm PT
|
Did you read the review posted on the product page? It's from a climber.
|
|
matiasek
climber
Davis
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 13, 2012 - 01:40pm PT
|
Thanks skitch, yeah I did see that. I guess I called on the community to get some more data points on this no-name brand. thanks!
|
|
phylp
Trad climber
Millbrae, CA
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2012 - 01:44pm PT
|
I've had a pair (CUs) for about two years and I love them. I wear them at the climbing gym, at sport climbing areas and for single pitch crack climbing. I wouldn't think of taking them on multi-pitch routes. Most of my partners with whom I have shared them have loved them too. The few people who don't like them say it's because they find the altered perspective disorienting.
I wear glasses when I climb, and the belay glasses just sit on my nose in front of the Rx glasses when belaying. I don't think this method (double glasses) would work as well is you have a tiny nose, but I have a significant Italian nose so I have no trouble with them sliding off!
I have arthritis in my neck from an old car accident, and these glasses have made a huge difference with pain and muscle tension. I've always been the kind of belayer who tries to watch my leader all the time, and these glasses allow me to do that in complete comfort.
|
|
Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
|
|
|
Feb 14, 2012 - 08:30am PT
|
Thanks Phylp,
I wear glasses and have a bunged up neck from a car accident also.
That was just the info I needed.
|
|
handsome B
Gym climber
SL,UT
|
|
|
Feb 14, 2012 - 09:01am PT
|
The CUs magnify ever so slightly, the others do not. I guess it depends on how long your typical route is as to which ones you want. I love the CUs, they are well worth $150
|
|
Edwardp33
Sport climber
Austin
|
|
|
May 13, 2012 - 07:31pm PT
|
I have used the CU glasses and they are awesome. A fellow climber let me try his. Your climber is crystal clear and easy to see. They are very comfortable and if someone walks nearby you or comes up next to your you don't even notice them as your field of vision is completely filled by the reflection of the climber. After using them for a day I will definitely buy a pair. The questionis do I spend $150 on the awesome CU glasses or go budget and hope the cheaper ones are as good. Does anyone have any experience with alternatives?
|
|
Scole
Trad climber
San Diego
|
|
|
|
MikeMara
Sport climber
Santa Barbara
|
|
|
Jun 20, 2012 - 12:26pm PT
|
Hey Mike
There are cheaper options.
Check this out : www.BelayGlass.Com
|
|
arashaalam
Sport climber
San Diego
|
|
|
Jan 29, 2013 - 05:12pm PT
|
There are new belay glasses on the market by Vertical Vision. The product is called Belaggles. They have larger lenses and look cool. check out www.belaggles.com
|
|
Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
|
|
|
Jan 29, 2013 - 06:35pm PT
|
We used to joke about specialty eyewear for the timid and vertigo prone out there. A bolt with quickdraw or big trees hologram would appear when you looked down to soothe the savage beast and keep it to a one-alarm fire!
Never caught on just like the Runout Doily! LOL
|
|
10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
|
|
|
Jan 29, 2013 - 06:49pm PT
|
There are new belay glasses on the market by Vertical Vision. The product is called Belaggles. They have larger lenses and look cool.
I guess
|
|
Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
|
|
|
Jan 29, 2013 - 10:41pm PT
|
Geezus, what's this climbing world coming to?????
Prism belay glasses are WAY lame, or in old-school speak, WAY HOMO!
Here's the proper technique:
You point a mini PC camera up the rock, and then Bloo-Toof that into your iPhone in a teeny sub-window, so you can text, twitter and watch Vertical Limit reruns all at the same time you're "belaying" your partner up something hard, desperate and totally run-out.
Use the same system while driving to and from the Valley, of course.
|
|
healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
|
|
|
Jan 29, 2013 - 11:20pm PT
|
Glad to hear Jim is still human and healthy enough to suffer from as serious a first-world problem as "belayer's neck". I was beginning to wonder.
|
|
kennyt
climber
Woodfords,California
|
|
|
Jan 30, 2013 - 11:46am PT
|
While yer at it you should get one of those backup cameras for yer car!! My buddie has some and they work good aside from looking a little silly. I alawys feel better when my belayer is lookin up at me.
|
|
John Butler
Social climber
SLC, Utah
|
|
|
Jan 30, 2013 - 11:57am PT
|
A guy in Salt Lake is making and selling them of $80.
http://www.belayspecs.com/
I have no experience with other brands, but these work just fine and will fit in front of your regular glasses... though look twice a dorky when worn that way
|
|
caughtinside
Social climber
Oakland, CA
|
|
|
Jan 30, 2013 - 12:21pm PT
|
I used the CU belay glasses and they were awesome! Convinced me in a few belays to get a pair. Not only are they more comfortable on your neck but they make you a better belayer because it's easy to stay focused on a leader because you're not always stretching your neck.
I bought the belay specs because they looked similar and were $40 or 50 bucks cheaper. Well, the belay specs came and they are great. Very similar to the CU. They are slightly bigger and slightly heavier. A fine tradeoff for me for the money.
If money were truly no object I might go for the CU but the difference in product quality and feel is no biggie for me.
yes, you do look like a dork but take a look around the crag next time you're there. You're in good company.
|
|
mechrist
Gym climber
South of Heaven
|
|
|
Jan 30, 2013 - 01:48pm PT
|
Just bought a pair of those belay specs. Thanks for the link... I've been wanting a pair for years.
|
|
martygarrison
Trad climber
Washington DC
|
|
|
Jan 30, 2013 - 01:49pm PT
|
If my belayer ever put on a pair of these, I would just retire from climbing. Oh wait, I am retired from climbing.
|
|
mechrist
Gym climber
South of Heaven
|
|
|
Jan 30, 2013 - 02:08pm PT
|
Come on old people... can we get just back to the really important issues... is using chalk, sticky rubber, and SLCD's unethical?
|
|
mechrist
Gym climber
South of Heaven
|
|
Got my belay specs today. Psyched! They will make spotting way easier!
|
|
rossy
Sport climber
irvine, ca
|
|
|
Mar 27, 2013 - 12:34pm PT
|
I'm looking for a cheap alternative to the CU glasses - has anyone tried the Belay Safe glasses (www.belaysafe.com)?
They look pretty good just don't want to waste my money.
|
|
Charles Claude
Trad climber
Flagstaff, Az
|
|
|
May 20, 2013 - 02:36pm PT
|
Up until a month ago, i would have thought they were stupid, but with a freak mtn biking accident with fracturing c4 thru c7 and having the whole section anteriorly plated, i am now wondering which are the best model out there, !( since there are a couple models now)
|
|
k-man
Gym climber
SCruz
|
|
|
May 20, 2013 - 05:00pm PT
|
I use mine when I drop all the change in my pocket ...
|
|
John Butler
Social climber
SLC, Utah
|
|
|
Jun 19, 2013 - 03:12pm PT
|
Glasses or sunglasses will fit behind "Belay Specs" if that is important to you.
|
|
Flunny
Sport climber
|
|
|
Sep 18, 2013 - 12:12am PT
|
Belay glasses can really save you a lot of pain after you've been climbing for a few hours. They are a bit pricy though... these guys http://www.belayshades.com seem to be the best deal out there at the moment. About $100 less than CU if you can believe that.
|
|
steveA
Trad climber
Wolfeboro, NH
|
|
On a side note:
I've been having headaches 24/7 for over a year. They never go away, and after seeing many doctors, and test, the conclusion is that the cause is vertebrae damage, from looking up for 50 years. The doc says my range of motion is better than most young people, but my neck disc are really compressed on the back side, resulting in arthritis.
Young climbers don't have these issues YET.
|
|
skitch
Gym climber
Bend Or
|
|
Is it reAlly necessary to look up while belaying?
|
|
rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
|
|
I got the CU glasses after a pinched nerve in my neck put me out of business for a few months this winter. I wear them over regular prescription glasses. I can't imagine using them on a multipitch climb but they're great for single pitches and the gym.
As with poles, I'd suggest that folks who hope to keep going for a long time might consider alleviating some of the destructive stresses of our sport before the physical side-effects manifest themselves, at which point, depending on the individual, it could be too late to regain normal function.
If you are a guide and spend much of your days craning your neck while instructing top-roped students, you really ought to think seriously about belay glasses, but anyone who spends a lot of time on some type of single-pitch climbing will probably benefit long-term from not compressing their neck vertebrae for hours and hours on regular basis.
More info and brand comparisons here: http://www.mountainproject.com/v/a-brief-comparison-between-belay-specs-and-cu-belay-glasses/107840781
|
|
Caveman
climber
Cumberland Plateau
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2015 - 08:56am PT
|
"Is it reAlly necessary to look up while belaying?"
IMHO, no.
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Jun 15, 2015 - 09:03am PT
|
Wouldn't it be way cooler to just point the GoPro om yer helmet straight up and watch the vid
feed on yer Google glasses?
|
|
| Messages 1 - 53 of total 53 in this topic |
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!