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SQWUREL
SQWUREL V2
SQWUREL V3, Version A
SQWUREL V3, Version B
SQWUREL V4
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| SQWUREL | SQWUREL V2 |
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| SQWUREL V3, Version A |
SQWUREL V3, Version B | SQWUREL V4 |
[ Top | SQWUREL V2 | SQWUREL V3 v. A | SQWUREL V3 v. B | SQWUREL V4 | Return to Plate Descenders ]
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I acquired my B. G. Gear SQWUREL as a donation from from Luke Galyan of B. G. Gear in 2016.
The B. G. Gear SQWUREL is 166 mm. tall, 95 mm. wide, 10 mm. thick, and weighs 162 g.
The SQWUREL is an irregular-shaped device milled from 7075 T6 / T651 aluminum plate. The main rope hole is 43.5 mm. wide and 41.7 mm. high. The eye is 13.5 mm. in diameter, and has an 11.1 mm. i.d. o-ring set in an internal groove. One side has a tail forming a series of bars. There is a 21 mm. long 3.5 mm. wide, 0.8 mm deep groove milled in the underside of the horn.
Each side is printed with an up-pointing arrow, "ANCHOR," "Patent Pending," a book-with-an-"i" icon, a hand icon, "BG-GEAR.COM," "USA," "SQWUREL," and the B. G. Gear logo.
The SQWUREL is designed for canyoneering on single 8 mm. to 11 mm. rope or double 8 mm. to 9 mm. rope. The tail provides a number of "bars" that allow changing friction while on rappel. The tail reminds me of the Snake and the bars function similarly; however, their use in the tail has a critical difference: wraps can be added or removed to provide incremental changes in friction without lifting the rope over one’s head.
The directions state that the SQWUREL must be oriented horizontally, not vertically:
The SQWUREL can be rigged in a number of ways, providing varying friction increments. I particularly like their characterization of body types:
In the Simple-FS0 mode, the SQWUREL is rigged in a free running configuration similar to the Petzl Pirana. The Jumbo-FS0 mode is similar to the alternate Petzl Pirana rigging, while the Behemoth-FS0 mode resembles the classic Figure Eight rigging. Each of these modes allows for extra friction by using the tail. The result is an incrementally variable friction device that, with proper choice of mode and tail bars, should work well for most people.
The eye is small and there are many normal carabiners and maillons that will not fit through it. This is a fatal flaw, in my opinion. A tiny eye restricts versatility, and eliminates the option of using two carabiners for redundancy.
The eye has an annoying o-ring insert. In my mind, this is just a bad idea that won't go away.
Plan on dedicating a special carabiner if you want to use your SQWUREL.
Canyoneering descender designers and users may love o-ring eyes, but I hate them. O-ring eyes increase cost without providing a corresponding benefit. I see too many disadvantages to the small o-ring eye design and no advantages.
You may disagree with me about o-ring eyes, I don't mind, but the o-ring eye alone is sufficient for me to eliminate the SQWUREL from serious consideration.
I wasn't sure what the groove in the underside of the horn accomplished, and the BG-GEAR web site did not mention it when discussing when to retire a SQWUREL. My guess was that it is a wear indicator, but I that guess was wrong. Luke wrote me to set me straight:
Hey Gary,
I took a look at your site curious if you added the Sqwurel yet. Woo hoo its up! No pics yet though. Anyway thought I would let you know what the groove was for on the underside of the ear. It is a bottle opener. I had to put one fun aspect into the device if possible. People find out via word of mouth instead of in the instructions. Just thought I would settle your curiosity. ☺ And if you want to add that to the site feel free! There have been forum posts, facebook posts and even a couple short vids circled around of its use as a bottle opener. ☺
Any way stoked to see it make your collection.
Luke
The BG-GEAR web site explains the name:
SQWUREL is not some fancy acronym and does not stand for anything. While developing the SQWUREL, many shapes and sizes were made to test various geometries and configurations. A lot of these prototypes looked absolutely nothing like the final version of the SQWUREL. One of the versions along the way looked like a squirrel and no matter who I handed it to they said "it looks like a squirrel." Well the name stuck even thought the shape changed. Its cute but its just a name with no real meaning.
I find spelling "SQWUREL" is particularly challenging ☺ !
[ Top | SUWUREL | SQWUREL V3 v. A | SQWUREL V3 v. B | SQWUREL V4 | Return to Plate Descenders ]
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I acquired my B. G. Gear SQWUREL V2 from B. G. Gear in 2016.
My SQWUREL V2 is 166 mm. tall, 90 mm. wide, 10 mm. thick, and weighs 158 g.
The SQWUREL V2 has a smaller horn than the original SQWUREL, eliminates one ear in the tail, and shortens the end of the tail.
Each side is printed with "SQWUREL," an up-pointing arrow, "Anchor," a book-with-an-"i" icon, "V2" inside a six-tooth gear, "BG-GEAR.COM," a hand icon, "1," the B. G. Gear logo, "2," "USA," "3," and "Patent Pending."
The SQWUREL V2 is slightly smaller and lighter than the original SQWUREL. None of the changes seem to affect the SQWUREL’s performance.
The eye is small and there are many normal carabiners and maillons that will not fit through it. This is a fatal flaw, in my opinion. A tiny eye restricts versatility, and eliminates the option of using two carabiners for redundancy.
The eye has an annoying o-ring insert. In my mind, this is just a bad idea that won't go away.
Plan on dedicating a special carabiner if you want to use your SQWUREL V2.
Canyoneering descender designers and users may love o-ring eyes, but I hate them. O-ring eyes increase cost without providing a corresponding benefit. I see too many disadvantages to the small o-ring eye design and no advantages.
You may disagree with me about o-ring eyes, I don't mind, but the o-ring eye alone is sufficient for me to eliminate the SQWUREL V2 from serious consideration.
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[ Top | SUWUREL | SQWUREL V2 | SQWUREL V3 v. B | SQWUREL V4 | Return to Plate Descenders ]
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I acquired my B. G. Gear SQWUREL, Version C V3 from Elevated Climbing in 2020.
My B. G. Gear SQWUREL V3, Version A is 156 mm. tall, 75 mm. wide, 9 mm. thick, and weighs 108 g.
The V3 has a smaller rope hole than the earlier versions, and eliminates the horn (and bottle opener) to the side of the rope hole. There is a pear-shaped hole between the rope hole and eye, but it does not appear to to have any function other than to lighten the SQWUREL slightly. The tail has been changed slightly, most noticeably with the addition of a small bump on the side above the lower notch.
One side is printed with "SQWUREL," an up-pointing arrow, "Anchor," a book-with-an-"i" icon, a hand icon, the B. G. Gear logo, "BG-Gear.COM," "Patented," and "V3" inside a six-tooth gear.
The V3 is thinner, smaller and substantially lighter than the earlier versions. Aside from the elimination of the bottle opener (good riddance!), none of the changes seem to adversely affect the SQWUREL’s performance.
The eye is small and there are many normal carabiners and maillons that will not fit through it. This is a fatal flaw, in my opinion. A tiny eye restricts versatility, and eliminates the option of using two carabiners for redundancy.
The eye has an annoying o-ring insert. In my mind, this is just a bad idea that won't go away.
Plan on dedicating a special carabiner if you want to use your SQWUREL V3.
Canyoneering descender designers and users may love o-ring eyes, but I hate them. O-ring eyes increase cost without providing a corresponding benefit. I see too many disadvantages to the small o-ring eye design and no advantages.
You may disagree with me about o-ring eyes, I don't mind, but the o-ring eye alone is sufficient for me to eliminate the SQWUREL V3 from serious consideration.
[ Top | SUWUREL | SQWUREL V2 | SQWUREL V3 v. A | SQWUREL V4 | Return to Plate Descenders ]
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| Front | Rear |
I acquired my B. G. Gear SQWUREL, Version D from Elevated Climbing in 2021.
My B. G. Gear SQWUREL V3, Version B is 155 mm. tall, 74 mm. wide, 9 mm. thick, and weighs 108 g.
One side is engraved with "SQWUREL 3," "PATENT," "BG-Gear.COM," and a book-with-an-"i" icon.
V3 Version B is the same shape as V3 Version A, but is not anodized and the markings are engraved, not printed.
The eye is small and there are many normal carabiners and maillons that will not fit through it. This is a fatal flaw, in my opinion. A tiny eye restricts versatility, and eliminates the option of using two carabiners for redundancy.
The eye has an annoying o-ring insert. In my mind, this is just a bad idea that won't go away.
Plan on dedicating a special carabiner if you want to use your SQWUREL V3.
Canyoneering descender designers and users may love o-ring eyes, but I hate them. O-ring eyes increase cost without providing a corresponding benefit. I see too many disadvantages to the small o-ring eye design and no advantages.
You may disagree with me about o-ring eyes, I don't mind, but the o-ring eye alone is sufficient for me to eliminate the SQWUREL V3 from serious consideration.
[ Top | SUWUREL | SQWUREL V2 | SQWUREL V3 v. A | SQWUREL V3 v. B | Return to Plate Descenders ]
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| Front | Rear |
I acquired my B. G. Gear SQWUREL V4 from Elevated Climbing in 2022.
My B. G. Gear SQWUREL, Version C is 156 mm. tall, 76 mm. wide, 10 mm. thick, and weighs 110 g.
One side is engraved with "SQWUREL 3," a book-with-an-"i" icon, "BG Gear, and "PaT 9636526."
The V4 changed the hole geometry to reduce friction, which will benefit lighter users to the detriment of heavier users. The tab below the eye was extended and a notch added to facilitate using the SQWUREL for progress capture while rigging guided rappel lines. The geometry of the notches allows them to be used as 11, 12, 13, and 14 Mm. wrenches for use on maillon rapide links. Finally, the O-ring and groove have been changed to grip carabiners tighter.
The eye is small and there are many normal carabiners and maillons that will not fit through it. This is a fatal flaw, in my opinion. A tiny eye restricts versatility, and eliminates the option of using two carabiners for redundancy.
The eye has an annoying o-ring insert. In my mind, this is just a bad idea that won't go away.
Plan on dedicating a special carabiner if you want to use your SQWUREL V4.
Canyoneering descender designers and users may love o-ring eyes, but I hate them. O-ring eyes increase cost without providing a corresponding benefit. I see too many disadvantages to the small o-ring eye design and no advantages.
You may disagree with me about o-ring eyes, I don't mind, but the o-ring eye alone is sufficient for me to eliminate the SQWUREL V4 from serious consideration.
[ Top | SUWUREL | SQWUREL V2 | SQWUREL V3 v. A | SQWUREL V3 v. B | SQWUREL V4 | Return to Plate Descenders ]
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