ZipLineGear

First place winner of the 2011 Zip Line Video Contest is Luke with his video, “Marine”.

Check out the other videos at our facebook page!

We have received a lot of great questions about our current zip line video contest.

Dean asked: ”How do I get a roll of that awesome yellow caution tape you use to close up the boxes?”
We said: “You’re welcome to have a roll. We’ll mail it to you free.“ 

Brandon emailed: “We have a shooting scene(s) in our video would that break the rules you have?”
Our answer: “Great question! Currently there are no rules against a shooting scene. Just keep in mind that gratuitous or ‘R-rated’ videos will be disqualified.”

After entering videos to the contest, the Christiaens wrote: “We hope you like them and [we] are eager to see the results!”

Check out their contest video below-

It’s very exciting for us to see all the creativity emerging through this contest. Keep up the good work, contestants! 

If you are considering entering a video, keep these few things in mind-

1. Before uploading your video to YouTube, be sure to include our web site address in the video. Once uploaded, include this link in your YouTube video description- http://www.ziplinegear.com
2. Videos that portray or encourage the misuse of zip lines will not be considered for this contest.
3. Only 3 weeks left to enter your video!

Keep spreading the word! Vidopp.com and OnlineVideoContests.com have caught the bug and published about the contest. Now it’s your turn.

Keep on zippin’!

-The ZipLineGear.com Team

In a nut shell, these are the differences.

Read on for more info↓

1. The Trolleys

The Quicksilver Kit comes with the Quicksilver pulley. The Viper Deluxe Kit comes with the Viper Trolley. Pretty basic.

The Viper trolley is virtually permanent on the cable once installed. When the rider is finished with their ride, they simply pull the trolley back to the top while the it remains on the cable. This return method is ideal for short runs where the trolley can be run back to the top for the next rider. However, when dealing with longer distances and rugged terrain, this return system can be cumbersome or impossible.

Enter the Quicksilver cable trolley. The Quicksilver can be unclipped with the snap of a carabiner and removed for easy return to the top of the ride. This quick removal also prevents unwanted riders from using the zip line while it is unsupervised.

2. The Cable Sizes

The Viper Deluxe Kit comes with 1/4″ galvanized aircraft cable (GAC) which has a breaking strength of 7000 lbs. Due to the size of the cable, this kit is not sold in lengths longer than 200′.

The Quicksilver Kit is equipped with 5/16″ GAC for lengths of 200′ to 500′ and have a minimum breaking strength of 9800 lbs.

Both cables have a 7×19 construction and come with a swaged/looped end.

3. Connection Hardware

The kits come with connection hardware that anchors the cable to a tree  and allows the cable tension to be adjusted.

The Viper Deluxe Kit comes with one tree sling and one turnbuckle.

The Quicksilver Kit comes with two slings and two turnbuckles.  Again, the Quicksilver is typically used for longer runs and requires more tensioning; thus it comes with the additional turnbuckle and cable sling.

4. The Handlebar

As you’re zipping down your cable, it’s nice to be able to hang on to a handlebar. Handlebars come standard in both of these kits.

The Viper Trolley is designed with handlebars permanently integrated. This creates a very stable ride down the cable.

The Quicksilver trolley has an eyelet into which the handlebar can be connected (with a carabiner). This attachment makes for a quick on-and-off connection of the handlebar. There is a slight amount of swivel in the connection.

5. The Bungee Brake

Lastly, the length of the bungee cord in the Boa Bungee Brake is different for each kit.

In the Viper Deluxe Kit you’ll get a 20′ bungee cord which adequate for stopping riders at moderate speeds.

The Quicksilver Kit comes with a 30′ length of bungee, for stopping riders at higher rates of speed.

Each bungee brake will stop a full grown rider.

For more information, check out our Manuals page and our FAQ page.

If you have more questions, please go to our Facebook page and leave us a comment.

- The ZipLineGear.com Team

Dan, a homeowner and dad from Connecticut, called us several weeks ago looking for the gear necessary to set up a zip line in his backyard. He was interested in a unique method of finishing his zip line with two trees rather than one tree.

Typically, zip lines are connected from one tree to another. In some cases (such as Dan’s) it’s necessary to end between two trees rather than one. We discussed the options over the phone and set him up with the hardware needed to accomplish this. See photo below-

Here’s what Dan had to say about his zip line (photos below):

“About our zip line:  It is approx. 110′ feet long running acrossed the back of our property.  We wanted to take out as little trees as possible and create a hall or tunnel effect so you will see it creates a great path through the woods that we also enjoy with the dog and my son loves to run down it.

The launch platform is temporary. Built from our old pool platform for the above ground pool.  We plan to make a bigger platform some day but this works for now.

We added a safety chain to our turnbuckle that I saw on several other zip line pictures.  Figured it could not hurt.

We salvaged an old lawn tractor tire from the dump as a backup brake at the lower end.  Our bungee is attached with heavy duty clips because we figure it will last longer if stored inside so we store it and the seat each night when done riding.

We also made sure our neighbor was OK as we were using the very large tree that sits on the property line.  Just figure it is best to keep friendly communication with neighbors to keep things friendly – something I would suggest for anyone building a zip line or treehouse that will be visible from the neighbors.

Thanks to all you guys.  Great product, great website, fantastic customer service.”

-Dan

Thanks for the photos and comments, Dan. Enjoy the awesome zip line!

-The ZipLineGear.com Team

It’s official! We have launched our 2011 Zip Line Video Contest!

Submit your zip line video for a chance to win a MacBook Air.

Other prizes include an iPad2 and an iPod touch.

Submission deadline is July 25th.

Winners will be announced August 1st, 2011.

Go to the video contest page for more details.