It takes true genius to add a revolutionary device to the climbing market. The SLCD was one. The Gri-gri is considered another by many. The Cinch isn't. However, the Cinch is a decent effort on the part of Trango to offer a cost-effective alternative to the Gri-gri.

Since most of us have used a Gri-gri before, I'll describe the Cinch's performance relative to the Gri-gri in several different categories:

Lock off: The Cinch locks faster and harder than the Gri-gri, making for an even less-dynamic catch. In time, I might learn to like this. Right now, I find it to be the Cinch's biggest liability. Oops! Did I say the L-word?

Release: Once loaded, the Cinch is -- at first -- a little difficult to release. You'll be inclined to yard on the lever hard the first few times you use it. Make damn sure that your brake hand is firmly established, because when this baby opens, it REALLY opens. If you load a Gri-gri backwards (moron!), it's still a highly-functional non-auto-locking device. Not so the Cinch; there will be precious little friction.

Lower: It takes a little getting used to (see Release above), but once you learn to control tension in the lever, it's nice and smooth. One of the first things you'll notice about the Cinch is that the lever is on the right. Left-handed belayers will love love love this feature. Don't worry righties, it's pretty easy to reach across the back of the device and lower in the manner to which you're accustomed. (Now you know how we feel!)

IMPORTANT NOTE: We all know that slapping a Gri-gri in the hands of someone who can't otherwise belay well is a recipe for disaster. Well, the Cinch is even more so. If you're thinking of getting one so your kid can catch you when when you grease off your project, think again. You. Will. Die. (Mostly likely when he or she attempts to lower you for the first time.)

Feed: It's much easier to feed rope correctly with the Cinch than it is to feed rope correctly with the Gri-gri. With the latter, you need large hands to keep a brake on the rope and feed at the same time, but with the Cinch, a simple twist to the left will put your brake hand in just the right place. As with the release (see above) once you have it open to feed, you can throw rope like Randy Johnson hucks fast balls; there is almost no resistance.

All in all, the Cinch is quite a good option for those who don't already have a Gri-gri. Like with any belay device -- especially those with moving parts -- expect it to take some time to really learn how to use it properly.

(Special note: Gri-gris have become standard equipment for course setters in gyms and don't expect the Cinch to supplant them. The Cinch brutalizes you with an anchor-hating fall-and-stop, fall-and-stop rappel during which it is exceptionally difficult to control tension in the lever. That might be different with a lot more practice, but if you already set routes with a perfectly good Gri-gri, why bother?)