Hands-on Gear Review

Omega Caranut Review

   

Nut Tools

  • Currently 4.0/5
Overall avg rating 4.0 of 5 based on 1 review. Most recent review: December 2, 2009
Street Price:   Varies from $10 - $12 | Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros:  best deal for a nut tool with a built in ‘biner, best clipping 'biner
Cons:  Uncomfortable to pound on, doesnt hook cam triggers as well
Best Uses:  Traditional free climbs
User Rating:     
  • 1
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  • 5
 (4.0 of 5) based on 0 reviews
Manufacturer:   Omega Pacific
Review by: Ian Nicholson ⋅ Review Editor, OutdoorGearLab ⋅ December 2, 2009  
Overview
Omega was the first company to introduce a nut tool with a built-in carabiner, thus saving you the weight of an additional carabiner to clip the tool to your harness. The Caranut is one of the lighter packages on the market, second only to the Ushba Titanium nut tool. The shape put it slightly below average for hooking cam triggers to help with freeing cams. It cleaned nuts quite well though. Its built-in carabiner is very user-friendly and went on and off our harness better than any we tested.

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OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review

Likes
The Omega at 55 grams is slightly heavier than the DMM or BD nut tools on its own, but because it doesn't require another carabiner to clip it in with, the overall package is the second lightest we tested. The built-in carabiner is also one of the biggest and it is key gated, making the Caranut the best for easily taking off your harness. We could torque pretty hard on the end of the Caranut without much fear of bending or breaking it.

Dislikes
The Omega isn’t as curved as many others on the market and it didn’t grab cam triggers quite as well. This tool was among the least comfortable on your palm while trying remove jammed nuts. A friend wore out the spring in the gate of his built in-carabiner, although this was after many seasons of year-round use and we haven't heard of another case.

Best Application
For Climbers looking for a good price but still wanting to lighten their overall package, this is a great option. Climbers who are particular and who didn’t like the built-in carabiners on other nut tools might give this one a try because of its key gating and large size. A good nut tool — for single pitch cragging at Seneca to long routes in the Valley.

Value
The Caranut at under $12 is one of the best deals for a nut tool and is the best deal for one with a built-in carabiner. It is only $2 more than the BD and the DMM nut tools, which both lack this feature. It is about as comfy on your palms as the DMM Nutter and the Metolius Extractor, but it is less expensive than the latter and is a lighter overall package than either.

Ian Nicholson

Where to Buy the Omega Caranut?

Seller Price  User Reviews? Shipping Cost Visit
Amazon
$9.64  -  20% off!   Check Site
Backcountry
$9.64  -  20% off!  
MountainGear $12.10  

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*Most retailers free shipping offers apply only to lower 48 US states using ground/economy shipping. See retailer's website for details.


Omega Caranut

   
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OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews of Omega Caranut


Most recent review: December 2, 2009
Summary of All Ratings

OutdoorGearLab Editors' Rating:   
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
 (4.0)
Average Customer Rating:   
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
 (4.0)
Rating Distribution
2 Total Ratings
5 star: 0%  (0)
4 star: 100%  (2)
3 star: 0%  (0)
2 star: 0%  (0)
1 star: 0%  (0)


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Omega Pacific Caranut
Omega Pacific Caranut
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Where's the Best Price?
Seller Price
Amazon $9.64  -  20% off!
Backcountry $9.64  -  20% off!
MountainGear $12.10
Compare prices at 3 sellers >

*Help support OutdoorGearLab. If you click on one of the seller links and make a purchase, a portion of the sale helps support this site
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