What do you think of these ice tools?

[szymiec]

Yeah,

I found these ice tools: http://www.acmeclimbing.com/index.asp?P ... ProdID=102

The Omega Pacifica Alpha.

What do you all think of these? The price is sure right, it works out to about 215.00 Canadian including shipping to halifax.

Good? Methinks yes.

[Richard Eh!]

Folding pick and adze? I dunno, but a bad swing or a placement between icicles and you could end up with a folded tool....? Not something I'd want to handle on verticle or overhanging ice....

[martha]

I say don't buy ice tools until you've climbed on them. if you are just getting into climbing the first thin you need is boots. then some good gloves and dry warm gortex. then get crampons and then get tools.

I wouldn't buy these for 50$.

not with what else is out there for not much more than that price. You could pick up a pair of sweet used tools for 300$.

my 2 cents.

[Fred]

they probably have interlocking gears so colapsing when the nut is tight would be impossible. I guess an advantage might be that you can choose the pick angle that best suites you. However, there is likely only one good angle for every tool geometry.

In my experience, Omega Pacific doesn't usualy make very good stuff.

The only company that I have found to date to produce affordable and at the same time quality equipment is DMM. Some, not all.

And plus... you can get quarks for $75 more with leashes.

check out these sites too

http://www.lacordee.com
http://www.mountainmagic.com

both are canadian.

[Matt Peck]

I say hell no to those tools. They do have interlocking gears like Fred said, but ditto to the one good angle anyway. That spur on the pommel looks a bit agressive, and I don't think i'd like to be looking up at it. Also, the leash attachment (this will be a crappy leashless tool unless you fit it with a trigger) is way too high, and omega Pacific sucks for everything but carabiners.....and those are made by convicts.....Pay a bit more and get a good pair.

[PaulB]

Pay a bit more and get a good pair.

The only brands worth considering for ice gear are Black Diamond, Charlet/Petzl and Grivel. They cost more, but their designs and quality are worth it.