Version A	Version B

Overview

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Version A
(#772)

Front	Rear

Side	Open for Rigging

Technical Details

I acquired my Sirius from Barrabes.com in 2003.

The Sirius is a multi-function belay/rappel device. The main frame is subrectangular, with two 52 mm. by 13 mm. slots, a subtriangular carabiner hole set 90º to one end, and two small horns at the other end. A plastic-covered handle pivots at the horn end. A spring-loaded T-shaped bar rids in the handle. When the handle is straight, an internal latch prevents pivoting the handle without depressing the bar.

The frame and bolts are drop-forged, CNC-machined, and hard anodized aluminum. The back has forged climber and hand icons to show the rigging, "ONLY FOR ROPES EN 892 Ø 7.5-11 MM," and "LE" in a circle. The plastic handle is marked with the TRE logo, "MADE IN GERMANY," "PATENT PENDING," "CE0123," and the "reading is dangerous" icon. It also has "TRE" printed on the front.

Comments

To rig the TRE, depress the T-bar and open the TRE. Insert the rope(s) in the slot(s), and close the device. Note that the rope to the climber must exit from the end opposite the lever. I find this to be counter-intuitive if I'm belaying a leader, since the lever will be up and the rope to the leader above me will come out of the bottom of the slot (see the figure at the left); however, a little thought indicates that this is correct. If the leader falls (not recommended), the standing rope will pull the T-bar into the handle, locking the free end (belay hand end) between the T-bar and the end of the slot(as shown in the right-hand figure).

Warning: The TRE must be free to move in any direction; otherwise it may not lock automatically.

The Sirius can also be used as a rappel device. Rig in the same manner as for belaying, but run the rope up and over the horns. The Sirius will lock off, so you will need to rotate the lever downward to move. I find this rather annoying (I don't liked autostop descenders, for several reasons); however, the tension from the rope weight below and the braking hand helps. One can get extra friction by inserting a carabiner in the rather convoluted position shown at the right. I don't like the way the ropes run against each other, but there probably is little harm done (witness the Munter Hitch). Not only does the rope generate friction against the carabiner and itself, but this arrangement takes the tension in the trailing line off of the Sirius, increasing the force needed to rotate the handle.

You can download the manual for the Sirius from the TRE Web Site. Most of the belaying figures are drawn for belaying a second, so the carabiner shows at the top. Keep this in mind when belaying a climber above you.

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Version B
(#810)

Front	Rear

Side	Open for Rigging

Technical Data

Thomas Reinhardt of TRE GmbH gave me Version B as an unsolicited donation in April 2005.

Version B adds three brass anti-friction pads to the T-bar. The photograph shows the functional difference between Versions A and B.

Version B has the same markings on the frame as Version A, plus "04" in a stellated circle. The Plastic handle markings are the same as in Version A, but the screening is rotated 180° from the one on Version A.

Comments

I would like to thank Thomas Reinhardt of TRE for donating Version B to my collection.

The anti-friction pads let the T-bar slide easier. Under the forces in a fall, this shouldn't make any noticeable difference, but it may help the T-bar return to its normal position after load is removed. If I hold the two Versions side-by-side, I notice that Version B operates more smoothly, but in the field, I never noticed Version A sticking (although I haven't tried it in cave mud, which makes everything stick).

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