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DMM V Twin Review

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dmm v twin belay device review
Dmm V Twin. Note the rubber on the side you can pinch when it gets too hot.
Credit: DMM
Price:  $26 List
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Manufacturer:   DMM
By Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief  ⋅  Dec 27, 2009

Our Verdict

The V Twin has been discontinued. We recommend you check out our Top Pick Award winner, the Black Diamond ATC Guide or our Best Buy Award winner, the Wild Country VC Pro 2. Check out the full Belay Device Review to see all of the devices we tested.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Cool looking
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not a lot of friction when lowering
Steel digs into aluminum biners

Just in case you find a V Twin we are leaving our review of the discontinued device below.

This is the only belay device we tested that is made of stainless steel. Most belay devices use some form of aluminum. This gives the device a burly feel and cool look that sets it apart. It is the only device with friction teeth that don't wear down. DMM is known for its cool looking products and this is no exception.

For most climbers, we would recommend either the Black Diamond ATC XP or Wild Country VC Pro 2 over this. The V Twin performed well for lead belaying but did not offer much friction while lowering. Compared to the VC Pro 2 that costs $11 less, it is hard to recommend this unless you a) just really like the looks or b) want a super burly device that won't wear out.

Canyoneers who frequently wear out belay devices due to the abrasion of sand on the rope may be particularly interested in the V Twin.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Likes


What sets this apart from all other devices is the stainless steel construction that gives it a durable feeling. This is the only device that did not show any wear after extended belaying. It also just looks cool. When selecting from a bunch of devices, most people headed for this one. It looks like it is made of that molten stuff the bad guy in Terminator 2 morphed into.

The DMM V Twin payed out rope as well as other top contenders such as the ATC XP. There are rubber dots on the side of the device that give you something to pinch when the device heats up. This is useful at the bottom of the rappel when you are taking the device off the rope.

Dislikes


The V Twin delivers much less friction than most other devices. When lowering a climber at the crags, the belayer wanted to have a belay glove. For skinny ropes, it is especially important to have a glove or to lower really slowly. Also, when a climber is hanging on a route, it takes more effort to hold the climber than with other devices.

While this is a durable device, the hard steel takes a toll on belay biners. This means you either accept extra grooves on your belay biner or use a heavy steel biner to belay with. The V Twin's steel construction also means the device is toward the heavy end of all devices tested.

Best Application


This is ideal for heavy cragging with bigger ropes. If you teach classes or put lots of abuse on your device, the V Twin will last longer than most other devices.

Value


At $26, this is one of the most expensive tube style belay devices. It will last a long time, so long term value is good.

— Chris McNamara
 
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