Version A	Version B	Version B'	Version C

Overview

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Version A
(#688)

Front	Rear	Top
Left	Right	Bottom

Technical Details

I acquired my Wild Country Variable Controller, Version A from Exkursion in 1995.

Version A is forged from aluminum alloy and then clear anodized. Version A is 57 mm. long, 46 mm. wide, 26 mm. high, and weighs 68 g. It has two 22.7 mm. long, 10.0 mm. wide slots and a plastic covered cable keeper.

The top has "MADE IN ENGLAND" and the bottom "WILD COUNTRY," both in raised forged letters.

Comments

The Wild Country Variable Controller works much like any other slotted-block belay device. The control is smoother than most of these, but not as smooth as some of the belay tubes. Like the Faders Variable Belay the two ends are asymmetrical, so it can be reversed for a change in feel. I don't find the difference between the two orientations to be very great.

The cable keeper is nice, and helps prevent dropping the device while at a hanging belay.

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Version B
(#816)

Front	Rear	Top
Left	Right	Bottom

Technical Details

I acquired one Wild Country Variable Controller, Version B from John Campbell in 2005.

Version B has a longer, yet thinner keeper than Version A, and the body is soft anodized. It is 57 mm. long, 47 mm. wide, 26 mm. high, and weighs 71 g.

The top has "MADE IN ENGLAND" and the bottom "WILD COUNTRY," both in raised forged letters. The bottom is stamped with "AGR," and there is a sticker attached to one end that says "VARIABLE CONTROLLER."

Comments

I prefer the keeper on Version B since it allows the Variable Controller to move rather far from the belay carabiner, something I find handy at times. It is also not as stiff, which helps in packing the device.

[ Top | Version A | Version B | Version C | Return to Slot Blocks ]

Version B'
(#3917)

Front	Rear
Top	Bottom

Technical Details

I acquired this Variable Controller from Miles Bradshaw in 2023.

This one is identical to Version B except it does not have a keeper., and the body is soft anodized. It is 58 mm. long, 47 mm. wide, 26 mm. high, and weighs 65 g.

The top has "MADE IN ENGLAND" and the bottom "WILD COUNTRY," both in raised forged letters. The bottom is stamped with "AGR."

Comments

I acquired this one as part of a collection of Wild Country prototypes and unfinished products. It was pulled from production prior to having the keeper installed.

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Version C
(#3904)

Front	Rear	Top
Left	Right	Bottom

Technical Details

I acquired one Wild Country Variable Controller, Version C from Michelle Kane in 2023.

Version B is 57 mm. long, 47 mm. wide, 26 mm. high, and weighs 71 g. Itr has a thicker keeper than Version B.

The top has "MADE IN ENGLAND" and the bottom "WILD COUNTRY," both in raised forged letters. The top is stamped with "AGQ."

Comments

There are no practical differences between Versions B and C

[ Top | Version A | Version B | Version B' | Version C ]