As part of our collaboration with our equipment partner, we would like to introduce you to the Austrialpin Fish today.
The belay device is a so-called autotuber. In other words, a model that works like a tuber but also has significant braking force support and blocking support.
Our conclusion: an attractive option in the "Autotuber" range and "100% "Made in 
"!
This time, our testers were out and about in the north-western corner of Tyrol, more precisely in the Tannheimer Tal and the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena.
If you want to find out more about these regions, then click on the respective region or read or order our LIMIT #2 climbing magazine for free!
This time, our testers were out and about in the Tannheimer Tal.
Austrialpin Fish comes in a set!
We received the "Gold Fish" set with the HMS Rondo Slide-Autolock free of charge from our Tyrolean equipment partner. This means that this belay device usually comes in a set. And that's a good thing!
Because like many other autotubers, Fish only works perfectly when it is used with a very specific carabiner model. In our case, this is the HMS Rondo Selfie Slide Autolock.
Its extra hard coating makes it particularly abrasion-resistant. And the interplay between the respective geometries of the carabiner and belay device guarantees both braking force and practical blocking support. A mini bail in the small leg ensures that the carabiner cannot twist. This also prevents dangerous lateral loads.
At first glance, the Fish with the carabiner appears somewhat larger and bulkier than other belay devices. However, this impression is not confirmed after prolonged use. The combo is in the same size and weight class as comparable "autotubers".
The design with the smart fish print looks very young and cheeky. We were therefore curious to see how this belay set would perform in practice!
Unpacked, more experienced climbers can get started straight away with this autotuber a.k.a. "semi-automatic".
How to use it
Before we belay with the Austrialpin Fish for the first time, we first examine the clearly legible imprints on the housing. Aha! The climber here, the braking hand there, the slot for the carabiner is obvious anyway. All right, we're ready to go!
For us, the symbols are self-explanatory and everyone should be able to attach the climbing rope correctly. Otherwise, just follow the principle for autotubers: the guiding hand is close to the body, the braking hand is always away from the body!
Once the rope is inserted and your rope partner starts climbing, things get exciting. Is the rope easy to give out?
One of our testers had the following to say: "For me, the handling was quite intuitive. At first I had to concentrate more and actually belayed just like with a tuber. When dispensing quickly, the device then jammed slightly at some point, which is why I started using the "thumb method". It then worked much better! Simply place the thumb of the braking hand under the "fin", push the fish forward and "tunnel" the rope with the other fingers. This way, the guide hand can easily pull out the rope at any time and there is no more jamming. I then automatically switched back and forth between the tuber method and the "thumb method"."
If the lead climber falls, the other advantages of this device become apparent, especially the automatic braking and blocking support. This is because if the braking hand grips the rope firmly, the position of the carabiner changes and the rope is automatically clamped. Important: as with all autotubers, this does not mean that the "brake hand principle" no longer applies!
The rope is still enclosed in a (relaxed) tunnel grip as standard. Only the strenuous, tight clutching of the brake rope is no longer necessary because it is no longer "under tension".
Our second tester sums it up in a nutshell. "If you can already belay with tubers, the changeover is quite easy. At the beginning, the handling just felt different, I had to concentrate a bit on pushing the device slightly forwards and upwards. This got better and better over the course of the climbing day. At some point it became completely automatic. It was only when I lowered it that I realized. Oops, I'm using a new belay device!"
This belay device is operated intuitively according to the "brake hand principle" and can therefore be learned quickly.
Lowering
Lowering your partner is very easy with the Austrialpin Fish. Experienced climbers can also use the two modes intuitively and quickly.
The first is to simply push the belay bar a.k.a. fin upwards, while the braking hand below additionally regulates the rope friction. This was our standard method. The second method we used less often was the release lever close to the body. This may be due to the small distance between the lever and the body. On the one hand, you have to hold your hand quite high and, on the other, quite close to your body. This was the only small disadvantage we found with this device.
As our tester reports, he also used a third method. "It was only when I wanted to lower my climbing partner on a route with a lot of rope friction that I used both the lowering lever and the "fin" at the same time. There was so little tension on the rope that I pushed the device forward and the rope ran through!"
Lowering is also "jerk-free" and completely intuitive. The release lever can support the "fin".
Product video
The Austrian Alpine Club has made a very informative video about the Austrialpin Fish. Of course, we don't want to withhold this from you.
It shows perfectly how this belay device works and leaves virtually no questions unanswered!
Price Austrialpin Fish
The set of "Gold Fish" and the extra hard HMS Rondo Selfie Slide-Autolock provided to us is available in specialist shops with an RRP of € 79.00. It is therefore in the middle price segment. It is therefore in the middle price segment for "autotubers".
If you factor in the price of the carabiner included, the belay device is a very good and attractive deal. Because in this high-quality version, you should be able to enjoy the set for many years.
Contribution as part of a cooperation
This article is part of a cooperation between Climbers Paradise Tirol and the Tyrolean hardware specialist Austrialpin. We present the sustainable products of our partner with production in Austria.
The Austrialpin Fish is also 100% produced in the Stubai Valley. From the design and processing of the individual parts to the assembly. On the one hand, this means proper social and ecological standards and short delivery routes. And on the other hand, added value in Tyrol. One of the declared goals of our tourism platform.
