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Model DS-L
Model DT2, Version A
Model DT2, Version B
Model DT2, Version C
Model DT2&3
Model 14G-0, Version A
Model 14G-0, Version B
Model DS-L
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| Model DS–S | Model DT2 Version A |
Model DT2 Version B |
Model DT2 Version C |
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| Model DT2&3 | Model 14G-0 Version A |
Model 14G-0 Version B |
Model DS–L |
[ Top | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | DT&3 | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | DS–L | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left | Front | Right | Rear |
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| Front / Right: Open for Rigging | Rear / Left: Open for Rigging |
I acquired this Sky Genie DS–S from Associated Scaffolding in 2022. It was made in April 2022.
My Sky Genie DS–S is 140 mm. tall, 49 mm. wide, 38 mm. thick, and weighs 163 g.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 15.7 mm. in diameter and 51 mm. long. There are two rope groves spaced 180° apart above and below the shaft. The eyes are 18 mm. high and 16 mm. wide. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw. It fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 1.1 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into a near-cylinder, with a 9 mm. gap for inserting the rope. The internal diameter of the cover is 35 mm.
The top eye area has "SKY GENIE PAT 3250515" in raised letters on one side and "COSTA MESA CA." in raised letters on the other side. One edge of the lower eye is stamped with "313770" and "04-22."
This is a tiny version of the Sky Genie designed for general and emergency descent on 7.5 mm. rope.
The DS-S functions just like the Mother Sky Genies, although there is some uncertainty in the recommended number of turns required for descent. The cover shows three turns, but the printed directions gives the following recommendations:for the number of wraps:
| Medium Descent | 4 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) |
Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg). Use half a turn less for wet or very humid conditions. |
| Rapid Descent | 3 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) | Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg) |
The lower eye is the is the tie-in point. The upper eye must never be used as the clip-in point.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | DT&3 | 14G–0, v. A | 14G–0, v. B | DS–L | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left | Front | Right | Rear |
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| Front / Right: Open for Rigging | Rear / Left: Open for Rigging |
I acquired this Sky Genie from Peter La Plante in 2003.
My Sky Genie is 225 mm. tall, 53 mm. wide, 52 mm. thick, and weighs 358 g.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 19 mm. in diameter and 96 mm. long. There is one 11 mm. rope groove at the top and two (spaced 180° apart) at the bottom of the shaft. The lower eye is a 19 mm. circular opening with an 11 mm. wide notch extending the total height to 33.5 mm. This is the tie-in point. There is a 19 mm. wide, 24 mm. high eye at the top that must never be used as a clip-in point. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 1.5 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into a near-cylinder, with a 13 mm. gap for inserting the rope. The internal diameter of the cover is 43.5 mm. There are two dimples at the top and bottom that align with the rope notches (one dimple at the top is superfluous) to help keep the cover from wearing the rope.
The top eye area has "SKY GENIE" in raised letters on one side and "PAT 3250515 COSTA MESA CA." in raised letters on the other side.
This is a smaller version of the Sky Genie. There are no marks on it to indicate a model designation, but it is the same size as the DT2 so I presume that this is an earlier version of that model. I do not know the function of the keyhole notch in the lower eye, or why there is a radius surface for the rope to leave & reenter the cover at this point.
This Sky Genie functions just like the Model DT2&3, although the printed directions for the number of turns are different. The cover gives the following recommendations:for the number of wraps:
| Slow Descent | 4 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) | Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg) |
| Medium Descent | 3 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) | Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg) |
Personally, I think this is closer to reality than the instructions on the Model DT2&3, but you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions in both cases.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | DT&3 | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | DS–L | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left | Front | Right | Rear |
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| Front / Right: Open for Rigging | Rear / Left: Open for Rigging |
I acquired this Sky Genie DT2, Version B from Sandia Deals in 2022.
My Sky Genie DT2, Version B is 229 mm. tall, 53 mm. wide, 51 mm. thick, and weighs 382 g.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 19 mm. in diameter and 94 mm. long. There are two 12 mm. rope grooves (spaced 180° apart) at the top and two at the bottom of the shaft. The eyes are 19 mm. wide and 24 mm. high. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 1.3 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into a near-cylinder, with an 11 mm. gap for inserting the rope. The internal diameter of the cover is 42 mm. There are two dimples at the top and bottom that align with the rope notches to help keep the cover from wearing the rope.
The top eye area has "PAT 3250515 SKY GENIE" in raised letters on one side. The lower eye has "COSTA MESA CAL" in raised letters on the same side. One side of the top eye is stamped with the letter "T."
This is another smaller version of the Sky Genie. There are no marks on it to indicate a model designation, but it is the same size as the DT2 so I presume that this is an earlier version of that model.
The label on the cover was removed by a prior owner, so I do not have any way to confirm the model designation or the recommended number of wraps to use with this version.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT&3 | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | DS–L | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left | Front | Right | rear |
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| Front / Left: Open for Rigging | Rear: Open for Rigging |
I acquired my Sky Genie DT2 from Planet Surplus in 2021. It was made in December 2019.
My Sky Genie DT2 is 229 mm. tall, 59 mm. wide, 48 mm. thick, and weighs 431 g.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 19 mm. in diameter and 94 mm. long. There are two 11 mm. rope grooves (spaced 180° apart) at the top and two at the bottom of the shaft. The eyes are 19 mm. wide and 24 mm. high. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 1.9 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into a near-cylinder, with a 10.6 mm. gap for inserting the rope. The internal diameter of the cover is 44 mm. There are two dimples at the bottom that align with the rope notches in the shank to help keep the cover from wearing the rope.
The top eye area has "SKY GENIE MOD DT2" in raised letters on one side and "DESCENT CONTROL INC" in raised letters on the other side. The bottom eye area has "PAT 3250515 CAL NO C3020" in raised letters on one side and "FORT SMITH ARK" in raised letters on the other side. One edge of the lower eye is stamped with "750," "309329," and "12-19."
This is another small version of the Sky Genie. The casting indicates that this is a model DT2, but the sticker on the cover indicates it is a model DS–M. Since the rigging illustration on the sticker does not show this model, perhaps we should not take the latter seriously.
The Model DT2 functions just like the Model DT2&3. The cover illustration suggests that three wraps are correct, but the printed instructions give the following recommendations for the number of wraps:
| Medium Descent | 4 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) |
Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg). Use half a turn less for wet or very humid conditions. |
| Rapid Descent | 3 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) | Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg) |
Personally, I think this is closer to reality than the instructions on the larger model, but you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions in both cases.
The top eye must never be used as a clip-in point.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | DS–L | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left | Front | Right | Rear |
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| Front / Right: Open for Rigging | Rear / Left: Open for Rigging |
I acquired this Sky Genie from John E. Weinel, Inc. in 1989. I acquired a second one as part of a full kit from Bob Elron in 2009. I acquired three more from Michael Jakub in 2012, and donated one of these to Artyom Babin (Артём Бабин) in 2021.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 20 mm. in diameter and 113 mm. long. There are two 15.5 mm. rope grooves (spaced 180° apart) each at the top and bottom of the shaft. There is a 19 mm. wide, 25 mm. high eye at each end. The lower eye is used to clip in, while the top must never be used for this purpose. Two notches at the top aid in tying off. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 2.1 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into a near-cylinder, with a 14.3 mm. gap for inserting the rope. The internal diameter of the cover is 52 mm. There are two dimples at the bottom that align with the lower rope notches in the shank to help keep the cover from wearing the rope.
The top eye area has "SKY GENIE MOD DT2&3" in
raised letters on one side, "DESCENT CONTROL INC" in
raised letters on the other side, and "3" and "8"
stamped in the end. The bottom eye area has "PAT 3250515"
and "CAL NO 03020" in raised letters on one side and
"COSTA MESA CA." in raised letters on the other.
CommentsThe Sky Genie has been around a long time, and I suspect it inspired similar devices such as the Miller Descent Device and the Frost Rope-rider II. The first patent application was in 1961, but it was abandoned, and upon subsequent reapplication, the device received a patent in 1965. I first read about the device in 1964 (Anon., Nov. 1964,"’Hands Off’ Controlled Descent, Popular Mechanics, v122, #5, p. 198), but did not see one until many years later.
The rope is rigged by removing the cover, wrapping the rope
around the central rod the proper number of times, and then
running it out the longitudinal groove. The cover is then replaced.
Instructions are clearly printed on the device, and give the following
recommendations for the number of wraps:
| Slow Descent | 5 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) | Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg) |
| Medium Descent | 4 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) | Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg) |
The printed instructions agree, but recommend removing half a wrap in wet or humid conditions.
Personally, I prefer fewer wraps, but you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Like all vertical spools, I find that this one causes me to spin as I descend.
There are two rumors about the Sky Genie that I am a bit hesitant to relate, but there is something important to learn here even if the lore is myth (and a friend of mine who sells equipment as a competitor to Sky Genie assures me that these are myths). The first is that there have been numerous lawsuits due to accidents caused by this device. Considering how common it is, I could almost believe that. The second is that the company never lost because in every case, the user failed to follow the directions clearly printed on the device. The lesson is clear: no matter what the device, learn to use it properly.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | DT&3 | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | DS–L | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left Side | Front | Right Side | Rear |
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| Left: Open for Rigging | Right: Open for Rigging |
I acquired this Sky Genie 14G-0 from John David in 2021. It was made in October 1991.
This Sky Genie 14G-0 is 247 mm. tall, 62 mm. wide, 70 mm. thick, and weighs 556 g.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 20 mm. in diameter and 113 mm. long. There are two 16 mm. rope grooves (spaced 180° apart) at the top and two at the bottom of the shaft. The eyes are 19 mm. wide and 25 mm. high. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 2 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into
a near-cylinder, with a 13.7 mm. gap for inserting the rope.
The internal diameter of the cover is 54 mm. There are
two dimples at the bottom that align with the rope notches
in the shank to help keep
the cover from wearing the rope.
A short length of soft braided 13.5 mm. rope passes through the lower eye. Each end has a thimble and two crimps attaching the rope to a snap hook.
The top eye area has "SKY GENIE" in raised letters
on one side and "DESCENT CONTROL INC" in raised
letters on the other side. The bottom eye area has "PAT 3250515 CAL NO C3020" in raised letters
on one side. The edge of the lower eye is stamped with "191383" and "10·9." There is a warning and information sticker on the outside of the cover. Mine had a green paper warning tag attached to the top eye.
My 14G-0 came as part of a kit with a carrying case and 50 feet (15 m.) of soft braided 13.5 mm. rope. Each end of the rope had an eye made by a thimble and three crimps. One crimp at each end was stamped "7849,", the second with "KY GENIE," [sic], "10-91," and "K 5," and the third with "4" and "50."
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This is the largest Sky Genie model in my collection.
My Sky Genie 14G-0 came attached to the rope, and it was rather difficult to remove it from the rope with the auxiliary rope through the bottom eye. This difficulty, along with the paper sticker attached to the top eye, makes me think that this Sky Genie had never been used, despite the stains on the rope. These are probably due to corrosion of the crimps and fittings while in storage for the past 30 years.
I dislike the auxiliary rope with the two hooks. Perhaps these are acceptable in an industrial environment, but it makes it difficult to attach the 14G-0 to an efficient caving or climbing harness. The top eye must never be used as a clip-in point.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | DT&3 | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | DS–L | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left Side | Front | Right Side |
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| Rear | Open for Rigging |
I acquired this Sky Genie DT2 from Planet Surplus in 2021. It was made in December 2002.
This Sky Genie 14G-0 is 229 mm. tall, 59 mm. wide, 48 mm. thick, and weighs 431 g.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged and plated aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 20 mm. in diameter and 113 mm. long. There are two 16 mm. rope grooves (spaced 180° apart) at the top and two at the bottom of the shaft. The eyes are 19 mm. wide and 25 mm. high. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 2 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into a near-cylinder, with a 13.7 mm. gap for inserting the rope. The internal diameter of the cover is 54 mm. There are two dimples at the bottom that align with the rope notches in the shank to help keep the cover from wearing the rope.
The top eye area has "SKY GENIE" in raised letters on one side and "DESCENT CONTROL INC" in raised letters on the other side. The bottom eye area has "PAT 3250515 CAL NO C3020" in raised letters on one side. The edge of the lower eye is stamped with "202178" and "12·02." There is a warning and information sticker on the outside of the cover.
This is one of the few Sky Genies in my collection that has a plated body. I am not sure what the plating is. It looks like chrome, but is quite soft. It looks nice but really does not add anything to the Sky Genie's performance.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | DT&3 | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | Return to Vertical Spools ]
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| Left | Front | Right | Rear |
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| Front / Right: Open for Rigging | Rear / Left: Open for Rigging |
I acquired this Sky Genie DS-L from Windows 101 USA in 2022. It was made in July 2020.
My Sky Genie DS-L is 248 mm. tall, 69 mm. wide, 62 mm. thick, and weighs 537 g.
The central portion of the Sky Genie is a forged aluminum shank with a rope guide and attachment hole at each end. The central shaft is 20 mm. in diameter and 113 mm. long. There are two 16 mm. rope grooves (spaced 180° apart) at the top and two at the bottom of the shaft. The eyes are 19 mm. wide and 25 mm. high. Near the top is a knurled knob set on a 4.5 mm. Allen-head cap screw fits a notch in the cover to lock the cover in place. A spring-loaded button near the bottom fits a hole in the cover, also helping to hold it in place.
The cover is made from 2 mm. sheet aluminum rolled into a near-cylinder, with a 13.7 mm. gap for inserting the rope. The internal diameter of the cover is 53 mm. There are two dimples at the bottom that align with the rope notches in the shank to help keep the cover from wearing the rope.
The top eye area has "SKY GENIE" in raised letters on one side. One edge of the lower eye is stamped with "848," "610601," and "07÷20."
This is one of the few Sky Genies in my collection that has a plated body. I am not sure what the plating is. It looks like chrome, but is quite soft. It looks nice but really does not add anything to the Sky Genie's performance.
The cover illustration suggests that three wraps are correct, but the printed instructions give the following recommendations for the number of wraps:
| Medium Descent | 4 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) |
Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg). Use half a turn less for wet or very humid conditions. |
| Rapid Descent | 3 turns for 150-200 lbs (70-90 kg) | Add 1 turn for each additional 50 lbs (23 kg) |
Personally, I think this is closer to reality than the instructions on the Model DT2&3, but you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions in both cases.
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Warning: The Sky Genie is NOT reversible. If used upside down, the cover may come off, leaving the rope free to uncoil. |
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[ Top | DS–S | DT2 v. A | DT2 v. B | DT2 v. C (DS–M) | DT&3 | 14G-0, v. A | 14G-0, v. B | DS–L ]
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