Pro-Link Factor 55

[Eventhough]

The average winch user is one of the reasons synthetic is a viable alternative. With knowledge of the proper numbers, which are widely available, the average winch user is capable of splicing their own line. In the field.

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While it is not overly difficult to learn how to field repair a synthetic winch line to get one back home, most people who run synthetic line do not know how to do this properly. A field splice repair is also different than a bench splice. The Pro-Link Factor55 thimble can be installed and removed with a pair of snap ring pliers. A safety-style or tube thimble have to be spliced onto a synthetic winch line.

 

[Antichrist]

Why would you be removing it in the field, other than because the line broke?

 

[Eventhough]

Why would you be removing it in the field, other than because the line broke?

I don't think many people would want to remove the ProLink in the field. I think the easy snap ring removal of the ProLink Factor55 thimble would benefit people who wanted to add a safety-style thimble to a synthetic winch line (or even a steel cable line) and they don't know how to splice line.

 

[Antichrist]

Ah, gotcha.

 

[opie]

While it is not overly difficult to learn how to field repair a synthetic winch line to get one back home, most people who run synthetic line do not know how to do this properly.

Which is one reason why I warranty my splices for 5 years, as well as freely put the information out there in easy to understand terms, using tools we all have laying under our seats, on how to perform the splices.

A field splice repair is also different than a bench splice.

In what way? One buries the standing end a set measurement into the working end. Bench or no bench, the splice procedures are identical. The only variance is one may not have the fancy tools out in the field, they would find on a bench. Which is why I demonstrate the procedure using a ball point pen and tape.

The Pro-Link Factor55 thimble can be installed and removed with a pair of snap ring pliers. A safety-style or tube thimble have to be spliced onto a synthetic winch line.

And back to my original comment... The splice does not permanently "lock" the thimble onto the line. In fact, Id wager more folks have the tools available to perform a splice, than remove a snap ring, in their rig.

Im not arguing the merits between the two, just that splicing synthetic line is not voodoo. Its not rocket science. If you can stick your fingers in a Chinese finger trap, you can splice synthetic line.

 

[Eventhough]

What I am saying, and have been saying, is most people who run synthetic line have never learned how to splice. Most that have been through a class or looked at info available online in how to field splice a repair probably won't remember everything they need to know in the field to make a repair. That has nothing to do with putting a Factor55 thimble on a line at home which is where most people will be installing a new thimble. Even so, you can put the Factor55 thimble on a line with only a pair of snap ring pliers and most people know how a snap ring works. That is pretty simple and sound logic. A Factor55 thimble is easier to install than a tube or safety-style thimble as it does not require splicing - and a Factor55 thimble can also be easily used on steel cable. If one knows how to splice then it isn't a huge deal to install a tube or safety-style thimble but anyone can figure out and remember how a snap ring works.

 

[Eventhough]

Ah, gotcha.

 

[Antichrist]

A Factor55 thimble is easier to install than a tube or safety-style thimble as it does not require splicing - and a Factor55 thimble can also be easily used on steel cable.

Ease of installation aside, I still don't like their marketing tactic of saying we're idiots.

 

[Eventhough]

Ease of installation aside, I still don't like their marketing tactic of saying we're idiots.

Where do they say people are idiots?

 

[Antichrist]

Photo in post #12, which is the one on their web site (I linked to it).

 

[Eventhough]

Ease of installation aside, I still don't like their marketing tactic of saying we're idiots.

Where do they say people are idiots?

Photo in post #12, which is the one on their web site (I linked to it).

Saying that the people at Factor 55 are "saying we're idiots" (post 23) is not true. I don't see where they ever said anyone was an idiot 'quote unquote'. Realize that when you say what you did someone else very well could read the post and take it as the gospel and think that was actually quoted. Correct me if I'm wrong but that statement was never made.

They did post pictures of how recovery rigging is often run. I've seen some scary rigging in recoveries from people snatching with chains, to using tiny shackles bought at a local hardware store, to people standing right beside a steel cable winch line that is singing from tension, kinked all to heck and back, and without a damper. Too often I see people run recovery rigging as fast as they can for no good reason other than they are stuck and want to get unstuck as soon as possible. These are all unsafe.

Now to address the picture you cited. I personally run an Excel hook on my winch line and am careful at how I stack straps within the hook and also am careful not to load the hook gate. I see a bunch of hooks without a gate being used (which is unsafe). Requiring the use of a shackle is safer and a better idea for those who are not as familiar with recovery rigging as you or I might be. Running a shackle to attach to straps is harder to get wrong as long as the shackle is in alignment with the straps (not cross loaded) and even if it is cross/angle/side loaded shackles are typically very strong and will handle a mistake like that, not break, and hopefully not hurt anyone.

Here are just a couple of examples of unsafe rigging I've seen lately.
- Private wheeling spot a few months ago a full size truck was getting yanked by a chain. They allowed me to step in and correct the issue.
- URE last year a broken Cherokee was getting yanked up a hill by a SUV with a chain. They wouldn't accept a strap to use and ended up snatching the vehicle which kicked to the side and impacted a friend's Rover. Luckily no one was hurt.
- Beasley about a year ago a guy pulled out a teeny tiny shackle he bought from a hardware store for a recovery. This thing was T-I-N-Y and he would not accept a properly sized shackle from me. I kept very clear of that vehicle during the recovery.
- Too many times to count I've seen people standing too close to or right beside a steel winch cable under heavy tension without a damper.
- GSMTR this year (I think) a winch line was given to me to use with a hook that was bent and missing a gate. I pointed out the safety issue and declined to run the line. I won't be responsible for someone getting potentially seriously hurt or killed.
- etc etc etc

Unsafe rigging happens all the time. Equipment like the ProLink help to prevent that.

 

[Antichrist]

Saying that the people at Factor 55 are "saying we're idiots" (post 23) is not true. I don't see where they ever said anyone was an idiot 'quote unquote'. Realize that when you say what you did someone else very well could read the post and take it as the gospel and think that was actually quoted. Correct me if I'm wrong but that statement was never made.

Ever hear of the saying, "A picture is worth 1000 words"?
You can say things with pictures often as easily, or more easily, than words. Or say it with pictures then claim you never said it.

Unsafe rigging happens all the time. Equipment like the ProLink help to prevent that.

No, it doesn't, the screw pin shackle prevents someone from using that idiotic strap rigging, not the Prolink. What the prolink does it just add another piece of gear that really serves no purpose in that scenario. And that's exactly why they are saying, we're idiots. They are saying, "See, if you have a hook you will do a half assed job, but with our thimble you'll also get out your shackle, like you were too dumb to do with the hook"

What they are also saying, in that scenario, is that we need to be protected from ourselves. "Rather than get educated, buy our product. Then you'll be safe."

That photo would be appropriate for selling a shackle.

 

[Eventhough]

Ever hear of the saying, "A picture is worth 1000 words"?
You can say things with pictures often as easily, or more easily, than words. Or say it with pictures then claim you never said it.

No, it doesn't, the screw pin shackle prevents someone from using that idiotic strap rigging, not the Prolink. What the prolink does it just add another piece of gear that really serves no purpose in that scenario. And that's exactly why they are saying, we're idiots. They are saying, "See, if you have a hook you will do a half assed job, but with our thimble you'll also get out your shackle, like you were too dumb to do with the hook"

What they are also saying, in that scenario, is that we need to be protected from ourselves. "Rather than get educated, buy our product. Then you'll be safe."

That photo would be appropriate for selling a shackle.

I most definitely have heard of that saying but you are going off the deep end here by putting words into people's mouths that they never said. Those "1000 words" are coming from you. I could say "They hate smurfs!" but guess what, I'd bet that those guys don't hate smurfs.

I'm not going to argue with you back and forth on this because it appears that you are not going to like the product for any reason. Assume what you want but what you are doing of attributing a statement to a company when they never said it is wrong - period. It is a simple picture of a hook with two strap loops and the strap loops are too thick to fit. Guess what - that happens - and it happens a lot.

 

[Antichrist]

I'm not going to argue with you back and forth on this because it appears that you are not going to like the product for any reason.

It's not a matter of liking it or not liking it. As I said before, I just don't see any need for it, outside of two scenarios that have nothing whatsoever to do with rigging. Essentially a solution looking for a non-existent problem.
They are pretty though.

 

[Eventhough]

It's not a matter of liking it or not liking it. As I said before, I just don't see any need for it, outside of two scenarios that have nothing whatsoever to do with rigging. Essentially a solution looking for a non-existent problem.
They are pretty though.

If you don't see a need for a product then that is perfectly OK. Saying a company is calling people "idiots" when they are not is not OK.