REASONS TO BUY
Simple to use
Great for belaying the follower
Lightweight
Feeds slack easily
REASONS TO AVOID
No brake assist
More expensive than similar options
Pivot function is rarely used
DMM Pivot Review
A good alternative to auto-blocking tube devices, with a pivot function to help lower followers
Credit: DMM
RELATED: Best Climbing Belay Device
Our Verdict
The DMM Pivot is a tube-style belay device with auto-blocking capabilities. It generally performs as well as other similar belay devices, with similar amounts of bite when catching lead falls and similar amounts of friction when pulling slack through the device when belaying a follower. It falls in the middle of the pack in terms of weight and diameter of ropes with which it is compatible. What sets this device apart from other auto-blocking devices is a pivoting anchor loop, which allows the device to be more easily rotated and “opened” when weighted in autoblock mode. We don't end up using this feature all that much in real life and prefer other ways of lowering the following climber, so the “pivot” function feels more like a gimmick than breakthrough technology.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
DMM Pivot | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||||
| Price | $36.95 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 2 sellers | $33.88 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers | $34.95 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 3 sellers | $24.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $28.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Same as other auto-blocking tube devices with an additional feature that helps lower a follower | Simple, durable, and optimal value for multi pitch climbs | Ideal for alpine environments where the ropes are slim and the ounces count | Low price pairs well with the basic tube style design and reliability | Smooth rope handling and a simple design all packed in to a mere two ounces |
| Rating Categories | DMM Pivot | Black Diamond ATC G... | Petzl Reverso | Black Diamond ATC XP | Petzl Verso |
| Catch and Bite (30%) | |||||
| Lowering and Rappelling (30%) | |||||
| Feeding Slack (20%) | |||||
| Weight and Bulk (10%) | |||||
| Auto Block (10%) | |||||
| Specs | DMM Pivot | Black Diamond ATC G... | Petzl Reverso | Black Diamond ATC XP | Petzl Verso |
| Style | Auto-block tube | Auto-block tube | Auto-block tube | Tube style | Tube style |
| Recommended Rope Diameter (Single) | 8.7 mm - 11 mm | 8.9 mm - 11 mm | 8.5 mm - 10.5 mm | 9 mm - 11 mm | 8.5 mm - 11 mm |
| Recommended Rope Diameter (Half) | 7.3 mm - 9.2 mm | 8.1 mm - 11 mm | 7.1 mm - 9.2 mm | 7.7 mm - 11 mm | 7.1 mm - 9.2 mm |
| Recommended Rope Diameter (Twin) | 7.3 mm - 9.2 mm | 8.1 mm - 11 mm | 6.9 mm - 9.2 mm | 8 mm - 11 mm | 6.9 mm - 9.2 mm |
| Weight (oz) | 2.5 oz | 2.8 oz | 2.2 oz | 2.2 oz | 2 oz |
| Double Rope Rappel? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Belay Off Anchor? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Assisted Braking? | No | No | No | No | No |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The DMM Pivot is an autoblocking tube belay device that separates itself from the pack with a pivoting anchor loop that is useful when releasing the auto block, which is performed rarely. It isn't the lightest comparable device and doesn't accommodate modern 8.5mm single ropes.
Performance Comparison
The DMM Pivot in autoblock configuration while belaying a follower in Eldorado Canyon, Colorado.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Catch and Bite
The Pivot does not feature a brake assist but does add some friction when catch a fall in tube mode with aluminum teeth that dig into the brake strand. This adds some friction, but the belayer's attentiveness and technique is still required to catch a fall. If you are climbing anything difficult, we recommend a brake-assisted device, though tube-style lead belay devices are still common on easier multi-pitch and alpine routes. They are also suitable for winter climbing, as snow can interfere with some assisted brake functions on other devices.
Lowering and Rappelling
Tube-style devices are the best devices for smoothly lowering climbers on single-pitch climbs and rappelling, and the Pivot is no exception. It smoothly feeds out rope when weighted, and we couldn't tell the difference between this device and other similar devices in blind tests. It also functions well as a rappel device, accommodating ropes from 8.7mm to 11mm. Compared to the passive and active-assisted braking devices (ABDs), the Pivot is more effective, designed specifically for these purposes.
The DMM Pivot smoothly lowers climbers, shown here giving a backup belay to a climber learning to rappel.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Feeding Slack
Again, the Pivot and other tube-style devices feed out slack better than the rest of the competition. There is almost zero resistance when feeding out slack quickly to a leader who is desperately clipping a piece of gear or moving fast over easy terrain. However, easily feeding slack can be a bad thing in the case of a leader fall with an inattentive or compromised belayer, which led to the invention of ABDs in the first place. But if feeding slack easily is your primary concern, tube-style devices like the Pivot should be at the top of your list.
Weight and Bulk
The Pivot is a relatively light and low-bulk device, even for tube-style devices. It weighs squarely in the middle of the range for auto-blocking tube devices and at the extreme low end of the spectrum compared to all ABDs. For alpine and multi-pitch climbers, devices like the Pivot are commonly used when weight or bulk is a concern. There are lighter devices out there, but not by much.
The DMM Pivot is relatively low-bulk, and weighs less than some other auto-blocking devices on the market, though it isn't the lightest.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Auto Block
The Pivot features an auto-block configuration, making it suitable for multi-pitch climbing and securely belaying the follower(s) directly off the anchor, which gives the leader time to recover from the pitch, eating and drinking, and re-organizing gear before they either begin leading again when block leading or lead belaying if swinging leads. Pulling slack through the device is easy enough and creates an average amount of friction compared to other tube-style autoblock devices. Compared to some active ABDs, which pull slack through like butter, the Pivot feels relatively high-friction.
The DMM Pivot performs well as an autoblocking device for belaying the second, though there is a decent amount of friction when pulling slack through.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Value
The Pivot is a good value and is priced similarly to other devices in the same category and that achieve the same functions, though it isn't the cheapest. It is a good option for users on a budget who are also curious about the pivoting release function, though, in our expert experience, this function isn't worth paying more for.
Conclusion
The DMM Pivot is a good auto-blocking tube device, though it isn't the lightest option, nor is it compatible with the skinniest single ropes on the market. It also incurs a moderate amount of friction when pulling slack through the device in autoblock mode. In our estimation, this device is nothing special, and the pivoting anchor loop is rarely an asset. Still, this is a good belay device that performs in the middle of the pack for auto-blocking belay devices.
—
Jeff Dobronyi
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