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Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device
  • Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device
  • Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device
  • Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device
  • Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device
  • Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device
  • Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device

ATC Pilot

Rating

My vote: None ( 4.8 avg )

Description

An all-new geometry assisted braking device, the ATC Pilot introduces a system that provides an added level of security to your belay, while allowing for smooth rope payout.

The lightweight Black Diamond ATC Pilot represents an advance in technology for the world of assisted braking devices. Providing an added level of security to your belay, the ATC Pilot threads similarly to other tubular belay devices and accommodates ropes from 8.7-10.5mm. The durable steel braking surface has no moving parts, and the smooth and secure control allows for gradual lowering. With an easy rope payout, the ATC Pilot makes single-pitch projecting burns less tiring for the belayer and more secure for the climber.

  • Provides an added level of security to single pitch belays
  • Smooth rope payout
  • Controlled lowering
  • Steel construction
  • Ergonomic, non-slip surface
  • Single rope use

Retail price

US$ 49.95

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Device Type

Device Type

Tube

The most commonly used belay type also called an “ATC” or “tuber.” Other than a distinction between other belay device types, “Tube” is a rarely used term, most climbers just assume you're talking about this style when they refer to your "belay device."

Tube belay device example

Figure 8

Mostly used in rescue, canyoneering, tactical, work safety, or by old school climbers and rappellers. One reason they went out of popularity with recreational climbers is because they tend to create twists in the rope.

Figure 8 belay device example

Brake Assist

These devices assist in stopping the rope when a climber falls or hangs on the rope.

Brake Assist belay device example

Often referred to as “auto-blocking” but that’s not the official terminology because no belay device should be assumed to work automatically by itself, even if it feels like it does (or does most the time).

Plate

When simplicity is a must, or you started climbing before Tubers were the norm. Bonus: They tend to be very light weight.

Plate belay device example

Descender

For rappelling, not for belaying a lead climber or top-roping.

Descender example
Brake Assist - Tube
Weight (g)

Weight (g)

In grams, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand.

86 g
Belay Brake Assist

Belay Brake Assist

This is when the belay device significantly reduces the amount of holding power the belayer must exert to stop a fall and hold a climber.

This is also called "assisted-braking" as the device must hold a significant amount of the climber’s weight; this term does not include friction-adding "teeth" found on some tube style belay devices.

Confusingly referred to as “auto-blocking” or “auto-locking” these terms wrongly imply the device will always, automatically, stop a fall or hold a climber even if the belayer/rappeller is hands-free. These devices are not meant to be used without a hand on the braking side of the rope; the belayers/rapppeller brake hand should always be on the brake rope.

Worth Considering

Most of the mechanical brake assist devices only hold a single strand of rope and are not capable of double-strand rappelling (the most common method of rappel).

Yes
Rope Options 1 rope only
Guide Mode

Guide Mode

This is when you belay directly off the anchor instead of your harness. Guide mode is helpful if you climb outdoors a lot because it reduces the holding power required from the belayer. When your partner falls or rests, the weight of the climber is held mostly by the anchor and the belay device.

Tubers and Plates

When belaying in "guide mode," the tubers and plates turn auto-blocking. During a fall, the climbing rope pinches the slack rope, completely stopping the movement of either rope. A common guide mode setup shown below.

A double rope tubular device guide mode example

Mechanical Brake Assist Devices

There is no difference in the functionality of the device. A brake-hand should always be on the rope to ensure the climber is caught in the case of a fall. A common guide mode setup shown below.

A single rope mechanical brake assist guide mode example

Where guide mode is used

  • multi-pitch sport or trad climbs
  • single-pitch where you need to bring up a follower (say for a walk-off)

Learn More

http://www.climbing.com/skill/essential-skills-auto-blocking-belay-devices/

No guide mode
Teeth

Teeth

Teeth are only seen on tube devices. They add friction that helps grip the rope for more belaying control.

This is helpful for belaying heavier climbers. Teeth are becoming standard on new tube devices.

The belay device teeth are shown in the red circle

Worth Considering

Teeth do wear out. You can limit wear by rappelling on the side without teeth (if you don’t need the extra friction). Once they’re worn, you’ll still have a usable belay device, just less friction.

No
Rope Range (mm)

Rope Range (mm)

The range of rope diameters, in millimeters, that the manufacturer/brand specifies can safely be used.

This is the best case scenario and does not necessarily take into consideration that certified ropes have a tolerance of +/- .3 mm.

Recently, manufacturers have started to add an "optimized" rope range -- this is the range that will result in the nicest handling of the belay device.

8.7 mm  - 10.5 mm ­­­
Certification

Certifications

The main climbing gear certifications are CE and UIAA--and normally the UIAA creates the rules that the CE body also supports. When possible, we try to list all the certifications the product carries.

To sell a climbing product in Europe, the device must be CE certified. There are no official requirements to sell climbing gear in the US. The UIAA certification is a voluntary process.

Learn More

Rock and Ice Certifications Guide
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AVG RATING
5.359998
( 5.4 avg )
Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

KISS

Pros
Good feel in the hand while belaying
Cons
Heavy
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch
Disclaimer
pro deal

This Device really makes belaying a much more streamlined experience. Reccomeded to beginners and advanced climbers a like. Paying slack, and lowering climbers are very simple and don't rely on unintituitive movements.This device shines indoors and in the single pitch environment.

This Device really makes belaying a much more streamlined experience. Reccomeded to beginners and advanced climbers a like. Paying slack, and lowering climbers are very simple and don't rely on unintituitive movements.This device shines indoors and in the single pitch environment.

Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

Easy to use, easy to learn

Pros
Lowers smoothly
Catches well
Solid, clean design
Cons
Occasionally binds up if you're a little careless feeding slack
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

Like it a lot. Overall it's easier and more ergonomic to use than the MegaJul Sport.

Like it a lot. Overall it's easier and more ergonomic to use than the MegaJul Sport.

Rating
6
( 6 avg )

Until a better one, this is the best one~

Pros
Works like an ATC, smooth like an ATC, this Pilot is Chief!~
Cons
A 5 to 10 cm rope slippage after a hard lead fall, I personally like this Con~
Familiarity
I’ve used it a few of times

I am a Jul2 user for the past year and like its pay out smoothness when belaying a lead climb.

I've just received my ATC Pilot couple days ago and tested it out yesterday, very happy with it, love it even more then my Jul2; I used the Pilot on both 9.6ish and 10ish mm rope, both are used old ropes and not slick like when they are new, but the Pilot handle them very smoothly and effortlessly even when paying out. Before my Jul2, I've tried devices with the similar design like the Smart, MegaJul, ClickUp and by far I think the Pilot is the best among all.

The Pilot has a similar "pay out rope" design from the Mammut's Smart, but because of it's very short "disengage function nose" the "push up travel radius" is far less then the Smart which makes it faster in reaction. The short nose notch is more align to the rope entrance which also makes it more natural to locate it with your brake hand without looking for it. Unlike the Jul2's thumb loop. My workaround for the Jul2 is always keep my thumb in the loop, which I am not too keen on.

For rope "locking" (testing without holding the break rope after tension, which you should always keep your hand/s on the brake rope), if GriGri is 10/10, Jul2 will be 9.5/10 and the Pilot will be 9/10. But saying that, you don't need any extra force to hold on to the break rope to stop the very-very-slow rope slippage compare to the GriGri. We have tried both lead falls and high speed lowerings (then brake) and the Pilot stop the rope without any problem, one note, when catching a high impact lead fall, the Pilot actually have about 5 to 10 cm of rope slide back to the climber side, as a personal preference, I see this as a good thing, it means I can give an even softer catch to a lead climbing fall. I understand that the original Jul2 design has the same "slippage function" in mind but in the final design they decided to make it an immediate lock up device.

With the ATC Pilot, I also got the BD's Gridlock Magnetron to go with it, I brought it for the "no rotation" function. The Gridlock has a smaller dimension then the OCUN's Condor and the DMM's Ceros, you have to slide the Pilot slightly to the right in order to have enough room to let the gate to pass and close, which feels like it is too small for the Pilot, but it is one of the two recomened carabiners in the Pilot's instructions menu. Took me a few fiddle to get the hang of it when setting up. If you like to use this kind of carabiner, (I quite recommend it) you might like to try the DMM's which is bigger in size and more room for the Pilot's fat bottom. Don't buy the OCUN one tho, I got two of it and both the "belay loop keeper wire" broke after 6 monthes of normal use and the screw gate on one of them loosen beyond it's open position; very poor in quality. I haven't got the DMM one but I trust their materials and quality control is far much better.

To sum it up; I usually tell my friends to try on a belay device before buying it, but I don't feel like it is necessary for the ATC Pilot, just go get one when it is on sale, you'll only regret for paying too much but you won't for using/owning one~

Chicks With Picks Gear Review no rating given just a review

Overall, the Pilot gets my thumbs-up for single-pitch climbing. Whether in the gym or outside, I most like it for belaying my climbing partner on her “proj,” or for those just learning to climb.

Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review rating 3/5

If your first thought upon looking at the Black Diamond ATC Pilot is "what's the point of this device?" you wouldn't be alone! However, it does serve a useful purpose for certain scenarios, and we can see gyms that like to have a pre-rigged GriGri on every toprope opt for the Pilot instead due to the cost savings. It also shaves a couple of ounces off your rack, so if you're looking to lighten up all of your gear, this will help you towards that goal.

Northeast Alpine Start Gear Review no rating given just a review

The Black Diamond ATC Pilot is a great addition to the growing amount of assisted braking devices on the market. While it’s obvious this would be a good tool for gym and sport climbers we believe it could also earn a place with climbing guides and instructors. It’s an excellent choice for a new belayer due to its intuitive use and extra layer of security it provides while maintaining a simple design. The symmetrical design also makes this device equally effective for those who are right or left handed, something that many similar devices do not do. We also find the light weight and competitive price of this device to be a compelling reason to add it to your kit.

Rock and Run Gear Review no rating given just a review

The ATC Pilot is Black Diamond’s offering to this increasingly competitive corner of the market, and at just 92g is one of the lightest assisted braking devices available and can accommodate ropes from 8.7-10.5mm in diameter. Unlike the Petzl Grigri, it contains no moving parts, instead relying on the rope being pinched between the belay-carabiner and Pilot at a particular angle. This system not only benefits the belayer by reducing the strain on them, but also aids the climber, giving them piece of mind that unless something truly disastrous happens, each and every one of their falls will be successfully caught. Of course using one of these devices does not mean you can afford to be a lazy belayer.

Splitter Choss Gear Review no rating given just a review

I liked it more than I thought I would, thanks to the smooth, controlled lowers and the ability to easily feed rope quickly, and in my opinion it’s the best of these style of belay devices. For people looking to save weight on big cragging approaches, or those who don’t like GriGris, it’s worth taking a look. For me, however, it won’t be replacing my GriGri anytime soon, but certainly another valuable tool to have in the quiver.

Alpinist Gear Review rating 5/5

Those experiences on that cool autumn day in Eldo sold me on the Black Diamond ATC-Pilot (for ropes 8.7mm to 10.5mm; 85 grams) and it became my go-to device for general cragging, whether scary trad, dry-tooling or sport. I liked how smooth the device was to operate, both in regards to paying out and taking rope in, and how quickly it locked off when my partner fell or needed me to take weight.

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