My Favorite
by anonymous on 02/5/2017Pros
Easiest one hand operation
sexy black color
Cons
heavy
expensive
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton
RockLock Magnetron
Description
Combining maximum security and ease of use like never before, the Black Diamond Magnetron Rocklock uses the power of magnets to reinvent the auto-locking carabiner. Magnetron Technology uses two magnetic arms in the gate and a steel insert in the carabiner's keylock nose to create an ultra-secure, self-clearing and redundant locking mechanism that can easily be used with either hand. Our classic RockLock shape is ideal for belaying, making anchors or rappelling, and its keylock nose prevents snagging on slings and ropes.
Innovative gate design uses two magnetic arms in the gate and a steel insert in the nose for super-secure, interference-free closure
Keylock nose prevents snagging
One-hand operable
Square hinge end helps hold belay loop securely in place
Slightly curved spine maximizes gate opening
Combining maximum security and ease of use like never before, the Black Diamond Magnetron Rocklock uses the power of magnets to reinvent the auto-locking carabiner. Magnetron Technology uses two magnetic arms in the gate and a steel insert in the carabiner's keylock nose to create an ultra-secure, self-clearing and redundant locking mechanism that can easily be used with either hand. Our classic RockLock shape is ideal for belaying, making anchors or rappelling, and its keylock nose prevents...
read moreRetail price
US$ 29.95
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Weight (g) |
87 g |
| Shape |
Pear / HMS |
| Locking |
Auto - 2 action |
| Straight or Bent |
Straight |
| Full Size |
Yes |
| Keylock |
Yes |
| Solid or Wire |
Solid |
| Gate Opening |
21 mm |
| Number of Colors |
1 |
| Lock Indicator |
No |
| Strengths (kN) |  24 kN  7 kN  7 kN |
For the past couple of months Vertical Life has been out and about using Black Diamond’s shiny new RockLock Magnetron locking ‘biner (the only one in the country no less). The Magnetron is BD’s purported paradigm-busting piece of kit that does away with screw and twist-locking mechanisms in favour of magnets as a way of securing the gate of the ‘biner shut. It’s touted as removing the need to make things complicated to make them secure.
Wherever we have pulled the Magnetron out, be it at The Arapiles, in The Blueys, at The gym or around a campfire in The Gramps, people’s reactions have always followed the same trajectory: fascination makes way for wariness, which quickly builds into an attempt to identify potential points of failure, which is rendered into a brief – often heated – quasi-scientific discussion that tapers into stoney acceptance accompanied by covetous glances a la Smeagol.
Black Diamond is one of the worst offenders in the area of biner-vation. We love their VaporLock screwgates for no-open scenarios, but we're replacing them with the Magnetron RockLock for this season's Denali slog. Reason? We don't need no stinkin' reason, but if you must have one, it's just this simple: no screwing. Now we're not against screwing in general, mind you, assuming appropriate conditions or, failing that, mutual consent between adults, in which case we are absolutely pro-screw. Ing.
I had given the Magnetron five stars, but after nearly a year of use in all conditions, I found that the magnetic lock can jam shut when it gets gritty or freezes. For that reason, which isn't small, I deducted two stars to give it three out of a possible five.
At first glance, our reaction to BD’s Magnetron technology for locking carabiners was that it might be the most innovative solution we’d ever seen to a problem that might not exist. But after digging deeper and using the biners indoors and out—they won’t be available in stores until July—we’re convinced Black Diamond is onto something. Instead of the traditional screw gate or spring-loaded auto-locking mechanism, the Magnetron relies on magnets (duh!), with a steel bar embedded in the carabiner nose and magnets in two locking arms on either side. Press on the arms and the magnets’ repulsion holds them apart—and keeps the gate unlocked. Release the arms and the magnets clamp onto the nose. The magnets don’t provide the strength in the lock—the shape of the gate and nose do that. But they do make it super-easy to lock and unlock a biner with one hand (and it’s just as easy with either hand). The system is also easy to use with gloves and less likely to ice up than screw gates in winter. The Rocklock is a typical small pear locker; the Gridlock, a Climbing Editors’ Choice winner in 2011, is BD’s clever belay biner designed to prevent cross-loading. Both biners weigh about 3 oz. and pair smoothly with a Grigri 2 or tube-style belay device. These are about the most expensive aluminum carabiners on the market—$7 to $15 more than the same BD biners without the new technology, but we think you should try one for yourself. You might get hooked.
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