Likes
The Kong GiGi is by far the easiest auto blocking belay device to pull rope through. We had heard this claim by other guides before but couldn't believe that there could be such a big difference. But once we used it we were believers. We thought the GiGi was about 20 percent easier to pull rope through than a Petzl Reverso 3 and around 35 percent easier than a Black Diamond ATC Guide. The Kong GiGi is also one of easiest device to escape from while in auto blocking mode ("escape" refers to its ability to release or to lower a climber downward while in auto blocking mode). It has a large hole that easily facilitates the clipping of another carabiner or girth hitching a sling, which changes the orientation of the device to allow rope to pass through. The only device that is easier to escape from is the new Reverso 3 that lets you use a carabiner as a lever and release your “victim” with just your hand and not a redirect. Another benefit is that the GiGi allows one second to keep climbing even if the other has fallen. Kong accomplishes this by having a raised rib on one side causing the locker (that the rope is bending through) to shift to one side to keep both ropes from locking as long as it isn't necessary for it to do so. You can do this with many other auto blocking devices but the GiGi is by far the easiest to use. Another plus is that at 2.4oz, the GiG is the lightest auto blocking device we tested.
Dislikes
The GiGi's biggest drawback is that it doesn't belay a leader. People who use it pass it back and forth as they re-rack their protection, but most people don't like to hand off their belay device. The GiGi has the least amount of friction of any belay device in the review. When rappelling with the GiGi, especially on skinny ropes, we had to clip two carabiners into the bottom for the rope to run around in order to gain enough friction to keep control of the descent speed. Rapping single strand with a single locker is a bit of a fight, for lack of a better word. Another big drawback is that there is no keeper loop. It does have an extra hole in the top that you can clip to, but this isn't as habitual or as secure as with many other devices.
Best Application
This is best used by climbers who belay a lot from above. If you climb with Chris McNamara or other really fast climbers you will certainly notice a big difference with other auto blocking devices you must frantically pull in yards of slack. This becomes exponential in parties of three when belaying two seconds simultaneously. For rock and alpine guides it avoids the tendinitis associated with pulling ropes through auto block devices. The raised rib in the center of one side allows one person to hang while the other climbs, a useful feature for any climber and especially for trip leaders and guides. This belay device will serve any person well who climbs many multi-pitch routes and is willing to pass it back and forth. If you take an AMGA course or an exam, this device is extremely useful as you desperately pull rope up as fast as you can, watching your fellow students, candidates and examiners blaze up the route.
Value
This is the cheapest auto blocking belay device on the market.
