Vector	Vector-L

Overview

It’s no secret that I like the ruggedness of the traditional milled-frame handled eccentric-cam ascenders. The CMIs, ISCs and SRTEs will take beatings that nobody should subject their ascenders to; beatings that would crack most cast-frame ascenders and bend or flatten most stamped-frame ascenders. On the other hand, milling ascender frames from aluminum extrusions places severe limits on the shape of the ascender, and so they tend to be less comfortable in the hand.

An obvious way to avoid the shape constraints would be to CNC mill ascenders from aluminum plate, but that would be expensive. Kailas decided that it was worth the expense, and produced two nice, pricy, Vector ascender versions. At first glance, they look like stamped-frame ascenders, but milling from a block allowed Kailas more freedom to leave more metal where it can do some good, and take metal away from where it isn't needed.

The Kailas Vector is exceptionally light for a full-size handled eccentric cam ascender. All unnecessary material has been removed from the frame, yet it feels more solid than typical stamped-frame ascenders weighing 20-50% more. Among HECs, only the Kong Futura weighs significantly less, and we can debate whether the Futura really has a handle. The average handleless eccentric cam hand ascenders’ weight is much as the Kailas’. The low weight makes this ascender worth serious consideration. If anybody cares, the Kailas Vector has CE certification from Strojírenský zkušební ústav, s.p. in the Czech Republic.

Kailas Vector vs. Petzl Ascension? I'm not going to pick a favorite here, the differences do not seem to be compelling either way. This is one time when I might base the choice on price. Both are large ascenders, and I like smaller ascenders most of the time, as they fit my needs better more often than not. The Vector-L is substantially larger than the Vector (and the Ascension) so I expect cavers would avoid it, but mountaineers who wear heavy mitts will appreciate the huge hand openings on the Vector-L.

The concepts are good, but being new, I would not be surprised to see some minor tweaks to the design. This is common, just about everyone improves their designs with time and most have had to fix a few minor glitches along the way. Kailas could do the same if any problems should arise.

My initial impression of the Vectors is favorable, but I’d like to get some feedback from others who have used them, particularly in harsh environments where we can see how they hold up to abuse. Let me know if you’ve been able to give them some extensive field testing.

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Vector
(#2972)

Front View: Closed	Rear View: Closed
Front View: Open for Rigging	Rear View: Open for Rigging

Technical Details

I acquired my Kailas Vector from Amazon.com in 2020.

The Kailas Vector is 189 mm. tall, 88 mm. wide, 28 mm. thick, and weighs 168 g.

Kailas Vector ascender frames are milled from aluminum alloy. The frame contains two opposing channels, but the channels are not parallel as they are in typical extruded frame ascenders. One channel is rounded and becomes the rope channel, the other is square and holds the cam. The rope channel is 15 mm. wide. A hole drilled through both sides of the cam channel accepts a 5.5 mm. rivet. The cam and cam spring are mounted on this rivet. The handle below the cam has a soft "rubbery" hand grip molded into place. The hand grip has a ledge to support the index finger. A 30 mm. by 16 mm. four-sided sling attachment hole is milled below the handle opening. A 13.6 by 19.7 mm. oval hole milled through both sides of the rope channel provides an attachment point just above the cam.

The cam is a plated skeletonized steel casting. The cam radius increases from 34 to 52 mm. over an angle of 36°, giving a 35° cam angle. The pivot is centered 43 mm. from the inside of the rope channel. The cam has number of small conical teeth. The teeth are parallel to the top of the cam. The tooth pattern is (3.4)(1S1.2S2)^2(1S1.1.2) where the "S" represents a single vertical mud slot. A spring-loaded manual safety bar is riveted to the cam. The normal action of the spring holds the safety against the cam. When the cam is opened, the shell interferes with the safety bar, thus preventing opening the cam. If the safety bar is moved away from the cam (opposing the spring), it will clear the shell and the cam will open. At full open the safety can be released and the spring will hold the safety against the back of the shell. This provides a means of locking the cam open.

The front side of the rope channel is engraved with "↑" with "UP" underneath and "VECTOR." The rear is printed with "KAILAS," "CE1015," "EN 567:2013," "• Ø8-13mm," "1X" beside a man icon, "MBS 5kN," a book-with-an-"i" icon," and "J03 0718." The cam has "KAILAS" cast into it on both sides. The cam safety has "KAILAS" molded into it on the rear side.

Comments

The Kailas Vector is exceptionally light for a full-size handled eccentric cam ascender. Only the Kong Futura weighs less, and we can debate whether the Futura really has a handle. Even some handleless eccentric cam ascenders weigh more than the Kailas. The low weight makes this ascender worth serious consideration. All unnecessary material has been removed from the frame, yet it feels more solid than typical stamped-frame ascenders weighing 20-50% more. The cam has also been lightened, much like the cam on the heavier Black Diamond Index.

The Vector is well made. All sharp edges have been removed. The attachment points are simple yet well-rounded openings in the shell; even so, I would consider their small radius too sharp for directly attaching sling ropes. They are probably acceptably rounded for webbing, but considering the proximity of the attachment points to the main rope, I would recommend using a small maillon for most attachments in order to reduce the risk of sling abrasion. The lower attachment holes could theoretically have the same safety problem described for the Clog ascender, so I don't recommend using carabiners in them. The upper rope attachment hole is located very close to the main rope. A carabiner through the upper oval attachment hole will probably drag on the main line.

This ascender has the same pit lip disadvantage as the Clog and other stamped frame ascenders, and although the frame feels solid, there is no milled reinforcing to help prevent bending.

The cam safety can easily be operated with the thumb of the normal hand (right hand for right-hand ascender), and the cam opened in one smooth motion. I prefer to use it like a traditional ascender, opening and locking it open with the thumb only. I can open and lock the ascender with the opposing hand, but not easily.

The rubber handle is comfortable my large hands, but I don't climb by gripping ascenders at their handle. I think it is better to simply grasp the ascender from above and lift the ascender in the traditional manner.

The cam is very well made. The cam teeth are sharp.

I like the Vector, particularly its light weight, and give it a star for that: 

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Vector-L
(#3485)

Front View: Closed	Rear View: Closed
Front View: Open for Rigging	Rear View: Open for Rigging

Technical Details

I acquired my Kailas Vector-L from Amazon.com in 2021.

The Kailas Vector-L is 193 mm. tall, 99 mm. wide, 30 mm. thick, and weighs 175 g.

Kailas Vector ascender frames are milled from aluminum alloy. The frame contains two opposing channels, but the channels are not parallel as they are in typical extruded frame ascenders. One channel is rounded and becomes the rope channel, the other is square and holds the cam. The rope channel is 15 mm. wide. A hole drilled through both sides of the cam channel accepts a 5.5 mm. rivet. The cam and cam spring are mounted on this rivet. The handle below the cam has a soft "rubbery" hand grip molded into place. The hand grip has a ledge to support the index finger. There are two four-sided sling attachment holes milled below the handle opening. The main hole is 11.7 mm wide and 18.2 mm. high, corner-to-corner. The smaller hole, closer to the rope, is 13.1 mm wide and 12.8 mm high. A 15.8 by 18.8 mm. oval hole milled through both sides of the rope channel provides an attachment point just above the cam.

The cam is a plated skeletonized steel casting. The cam radius increases from 34 to 52 mm. over an angle of 36°, giving a 35° cam angle. The pivot is centered 43 mm. from the inside of the rope channel. The cam has number of small conical teeth. The teeth are parallel to the top of the cam. The tooth pattern is (3.4)(1S1.2S2)^2(1S1.1.2) where the "S" represents a single vertical mud slot. A spring-loaded manual safety bar is riveted to the cam. The normal action of the spring holds the safety against the cam. When the cam is opened, the shell interferes with the safety bar, thus preventing opening the cam. If the safety bar is moved away from the cam (opposing the spring), it will clear the shell and the cam will open. At full open the safety can be released and the spring will hold the safety against the back of the shell. This provides a means of locking the cam open.

The front side of the rope channel is engraved with "↑" with "UP" underneath and"ROPE 8≤Ø≤13." The rear is printed with the Kailas logo with "KAILAS" underneath, "C E 1015," "EN 567:2013," "ROPE • Ø 8-13mm," "Max Load 500 kg," a book-with-an-"i" icon," "J01 0321," "⇑," "UP" and "L" or "R" inside a rounded box on the left and right ascenders, respectively." The cam has "KAILAS" forged into it on both sides. The cam safety has "KAILAS" molded into it on the rear side.

Comments

The comments that I made for the Kailas Vector apply to the Vector-L as well, and so I will not repeat them here.

The Vector-L is a larger version of the Vector. I expect cavers would prefer the Vector, but mountaineers who wear heavy mitts will appreciate the huge hand openings in the Vector-L.

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