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Hi Everyone,

Did a search for WLO on the forums and the latest postings regarding these toggles was in 2009 with most of them dating back to 2004/5.

After speaking with my Mentor and FJC Instructor i have decided to go with WLOs on my first rig but have also requested to be sent a pair of the APEX LRT toggles as well so i can switch in and out depending on the jump.

I'd love to hear people's opinion on the WLO's likes/dislikes as well as if anyone has first hand knowledge of the toggles failing and releasing pre-maturely (what happened in your opinion that lead up to this, rigging error, due to age of toggle, etc...)

After speaking with APEX Perris they stated that the WLOs have roughly a 100 jump life expectancy and should be retired after that. Were the malfunctions before or after 100 jumps? For those of you who jump these toggles consistently should we switch them out sooner for a new pair?

Asgard,

Just my two cents: All toggles will wear over time, either becoming structurally degraded or no longer maintaining a shape that allows you confident, for-sure toggle grabs at opening. Given this, I use the cheaper-to-replace LRT toggles for whenever my rig is packed slider-off, which is most of my jumps (Mid-West, no?). When I switch my rig over to slider-up (Bridge Day or big antennas), I slap on the WLOs, which are more expensive to replace, and therefore only get used when necessary.

Just my other two cents: One could also argue that simplicity is the golden standard of safety in this game. Simpler solutions have fewer possible failure modes. Using WLOs when they aren't necessary unnecessarily introduces complexity to the system. She who welcomes unnecessary complexity on her jumps (read: GoPro on jump 6) invites problems.

So, in my most humble opinion: keep it simple, and keep it cheap, wherever possible.

~ topher

I have gone through three sets of WLO's and have never been happy with them. I find that they are prone to malfunction and prematurely release the control line. The metal pin is quite slick, and bending the toggle back and forth can cause it to pop out (releasing the line) without actually activating the line release (pulling the little ring). I encountered this problem well before 100 jumps in each case. I believe that Apex's recommendation for lifespan is related to bending of the metal pin after repeated loading at opening, and not related to the premature release problem I experienced.

As a result, I have long recommended that beginners stick with standard (stiffened) toggles from whichever manufacturer is convenient.


Recently, however, I acquired a set of the Adrenalin BASE line release toggles (Poignées de commande libérables).

After testing that set of toggles by hand as extensively as I could, and then installing them on a rig and both jumping them repeatedly myself and using them during FJC's, I concluded that the Adrenalin version is not prone to malfunction. I think they are just as secure as standard toggles.

I have ordered 10 sets of the Adrenalin line release toggles, and will be installing them on my student gear when they arrive.

Has anybody tried them? The more I read about Badseed, and the more I talk to the Vegas crew, the more I'm starting to grow curious about their product. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

I own a pair. They are just like the Adrenalin ones that Tom mentioned above. Those are Brandons "new" WTF toggles. I think he used to make the ones with the pin like Apex, but switched to the newer design (probably for reasons tom mentioned). Only have a handful of jumps on them, but they have worked as advertised.

Could you briefly explain how do they work. I assume that you release the brake line by pulling the yellow thing but how is the brake line attached?

I have been using Morpheus' HPBG toggles from very first jump. Some time ago during 3 jumps the brake line released accidentally twice. After inspecting them afterwards I have to admit it was purely my fault because I didn't push the pin enough so the brake line just slipped away. However I still have made about 40 jumps with incorrectly installed toggles so I would say they are quite reliable :D

But it's good to check them before every jump and make sure the pin is pushed all the way to the end. Also I would recommend to practice landings with rear risers beforehand, which definitely helped me save my bones.

The line is routed through the side of the toggle, where a white loop (like the white loop on a 3 ring) is pushed through a loop of the line. A yellow cable (again, like the one used for a 3 ring) routes through the line and locks the system off.

The main functional difference between the WLO's (and HPBG's) and the Adrenalin toggle is that the cable flexes with the toggle, where the metal pin does not. When table testing the WLO, I have been able to release the pin by flexing the toggle back and forth repeatedly.


I have two sets of HPGB toggles and I've found them to be more secure than the WLO's. The way that the pin is sandwiched between the two sides of the toggle helps keep it from popping out when the toggle is flexed.

The HPBG's have two features I don't like:

The release location (hanging under the toggle) seems like it is more likely to be accidentally activated. I don't know of any cases in which this has actually happened--it just makes me nervous.

I've found the HPBG's extremely difficult to reload. I don't believe I've ever been able to set them by hand, and have always had to use some sort of tool (a punch, a hemostat, a pair of needle nosed pliers) to get the pin into place.

If anyone is interested, Pete S's new company, Parachutes Plus is now the official US distributor of Adrenalinbase equipment. He should have some toggles in stock.

do you think there is any slight mod you can make to the WLO toggles to make them more secure? i have a set and would like to have the option on slider up jumps.

I just got a set of WTF toggles from Badseed with my new rig... They are built with a little different design. It takes a bit more of a pull to release them, but they seem more secure than others that I have seen. Rather than a pin, it is a loop and yellow cable like cut away cables. Plus the length of the cable is longer than the pin and is sandwiched and goes up the bottom side of the toggle rather than the top. So, even if you accidentally start to pull the release it wont pop.... it appears you would have to make a very deliberate pull to release them. I am very satisfied with the design.

wonder if the WLOs could be modded to use a teflon cable instead of a pin

Im sure they could be... The thing I see, though, is the ones Ive seen have the pin on the top part of the toggle... so the pull length is still short. You could surely mod it so a cable could go all the way up to the tip of the toggle that goes in the keeper though...

http://www.adrenalinbase.com/....php?Id=100&L=en

thats pretty much the same design as the WLO's just with the cable continuing in place of the pin

And it has no rings or grommet's, the cable _can_ bend if it needs to then return to it's original shape. Simple, thoughtful design. That's one for my set up..

No it isn't. Return those and get a teflon cable type release system. No reason to be a test jumper to save 60 bucks or whatever they cost. You can't just replace the pin with the cable. You have to have something to take the load, which in the adreniline and badseed versions is that white loop.

Hop and pops tonight?

Just for a data point. I have about 100 jumps on my WLOs with 25 S/U and 75 S/D. For that distribution, I only have switched the configuration or adjusted them (requiring peeling the velcro) about 12 times. Overall I have had no issues with them. The pins are still straight and they have always been fully seated every time I pack. I have not noticed the pin migrating nor have I had an unintentional release.

Fortunately I have not needed them so I cannot offer any insight about how well they work for their intended function.

I am still a little concerned about having enough time to actually release a line over that is quickly spinning me towards the ground, especially if opening is lower than a couple hundred feet and/or my wingsuit is involved. With that, I still like having the option should the need for them arise and that seems worth the $75 I paid or the $90 for the Adrenaline version.

As always, YMMV.

legitttt. hop n pops were fun!