I played with one in a shop the other day. What happens when you drop that piece of crap in the dirt and the magnets fill up the trick lock triggers with iron flakes like any other magnet that gets dropped in the dirt? How are you going to clean that out. What a piece of sh_t.
Magnetite is a common accessory mineral in granitic rocks, especially in earlier stage veins (~400-450C if memory serves)... so some of that magnetic sh#t ain'tchur common iron flakes.
I am always really suspicious when a company makes a product and immediately touts it as a "breakthrough". I've played with one. I'm sure that the magnet will collect flakes and filings as time goes on and get stuck open when you really need it to shut. I also don't really like that you need to pinch it to open it; that's a rather fine motor skill. I can handle normal lockers with less dexterity and from all kinds of angles. Pinching will be nice and fun to try to do with your heart rate is up.
"I am strangely drawn to magnetic carabiners.
Is it because they are a good idea or could it just be an affect of the medical metal in my body? "
Ha! Funny stuff Phil !
Thanks E for the report for those us us too poor cough*lazy*cough to check them out yourself. I wasn't an early convert to wiregates but I did come around so I figure that there's plenty of time to fall in love with magnets. Or not.
I was touring Chouinard Equipment factory in the very early 80s and an engineer there was showing me an auto locking biner. I laughed to myself and thought "who the hell is ever going to buy that?"
Not to mention that mono-point crampons and leashless axes will never catch on.
My guess is that the issue is price not efficacy. I can remember when carabiners cost $2.50 for an oval and $3.25 for a locker. Back then I had to decide between gear and lunch. Same as it ever was.
To me it is like the auto lockers, play with an auto and a magnetron and see which action you prefer. If you are like me and can't come to terms with your monkey brain just embrace it and have a fun toy. It isn't a need, and I don't think anyone (even BD) makes bones about it being necessary equipment for rock climbing... just another cool gadget that is fun. For some people that is worth twenty something bucks.
I haven't had a chance to play with one, myself. I might get a pair just for grins. When I do, I'll make sure and go drop them in a bunch of dirt and report back.
I do recall that one of the guys at the shop said that they specifically can't be used in ice, so he has no use for them.
Let us know!