Who Has Experience With Life-Link Poles?

[LightRanger]

More specifically, the Carbon Variant?

And who's used their "Claw" self-arrest grip?

I'm thinking those poles may be my next pair.

[rabbit]

If you mean their adjustables:
Ive had the aluminum version. A friend has the carbon which is holding up exceptionally well (10? years) and while they feel pretty similar in the shop the reduced swingweight of the carbon really makes them soo much nicer to ski with.
One important thing with the adjustables is to avoid using them outside of the length markings. This can easily be done and breaking strength is radically reduced. Dont do it.
Havent tried the claw.

-peace
/r

[lemon boy]

Lots of people hate them but I used a set of aluminum ones for 10 years and the lock just this year spun on them. I moved to some carbon flicklocks this year but am not quite stoked on them. The straps are really annoying and my saw is compatible with the LL poles, not the BD poles. I also have a claw and it's okay, never needed to self arrest with it and it's not as ice-axy as a whippet but seems generally pretty burly.

Grip/straps - point LL
Mechanism - slight adv. BD
Attaching accessories - point BD

[Hugh Conway]

Life-link claw = Ramer claw <<< Whippet

I like the releasable straps on the LifeLinks but prefer my Flicklocks for touring. The Lifelinks have ended up as inbounds poser poles.

[snoboy]

I have the (more or less) fixed length AEC poles, and they held up for over ten years of abuse before I snapped one by stuffing it between two boulders on a traverse as I skied by. I bought new ones. Love them, ski great. Easy to take the straps off. The carbon is burly.

[Tye 1on]

Ya, variant = adjustables.

Have had the aluminimum ones for a couple years, after finally retiring pair i got in 86. They're fine imho. 2nd the advice to not stretch 'em all the way out past the markings. I'm no core burly mountain goat dude, but if i thought i was going to need a self-arrest grip, i'd have an ice ax in my hand. Just 20 pesos...

[corn dog]

I liked the variants a lot, mine had alu uppers and maybe carbon lowers? Lost my pair though. Never used the claw.

[harpo-the-skier]

The Life Link adjust mech gets sticky after a while and is pain to clean.

I put some life link releasable grips on my Flick Locks.

The Claw is not nearly as bomber as the Whippet.