Little different animal, Wraptor doesn't require a belay. Paul never claimed to be the first. He made one affordable that is his first. As far as battery powered, I think it would be heavier and one more thing to think about grabbing in the shop. YOu are using chainsaws the fumes are there.
Another thing to think about is you are moving pretty fast so the fumes are not staying right in your face.
Belay was to satisfy OHS cronies, I do not use a belay when I use the device.
No equipment we use requires a belay, but we use belays for safety. In climbing comps they back up the footlock with belay, same with speed climb.
You can back up with a myriad of other methods if you want to, however with the PME when you really scrutinize the design and potential failure issues with an engineering mind you'll soon realise that it's near impossible for a failure, even if the drive gear breaks or busts of the shaft!
For those who like to argue (many here that do), do you back up your carabiner when traversing the tree and only have 1 attachment point? Nope.
The guy in this pic still does treework and is well over 50, as you can see, no belay.
Also I believe this information answers TreeVets derogatory and ignorant remarks from another thread. :monkey:
Did the prof. let you get your fat ass up a tree and try it out? The only way you gonna get up a tree these days is with a pair of spikes on, and even then......