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Canyoneers....Do you use a munter hitch or do you prefer a belay device? I'm not convinced that a belay device, such as figure 8, provides for a smoother or safer rap. Do you think one method is better than the other. I'm sure the companies who make belay devices, would prefer you buy their products.

Always with a rappel device. They give you better options for adding friction, plus I would think a munter wears out a rope more quickly. Sure a munter will get you down, but I think they are probably best to use as a backup if you drop your device and no one else in your group has an extra (which everyone, including yourself, should have!). In all the canyoneering I've done, I have never once used a munter and have never seen anyone use one either.

There are rappel devices that give you a much smoother ride than an ATC though. The Hydrobot and Pirana both rock.

Belay device. Like Kelli says, a munter is good to know as a backup, but I've never had to use one in real life. Haven't used the hydrobot or pirana either, I tend to like to keep it as light, simple and idiot-proof as possible. Lately I've been using the Black Diamond ATC-XP device with the ridged grooves for extra friction, works nicely even on smaller diameter ropes and free-hanging rappels.

Then of course there's always the dulfersitz, when things go totally hairball, disaster is approaching and you're completely out of options!

I've been taught all those things, plus swiss seat and rappelling without any hardware--where you just wrap the rope around yourself a certain way, but I would have to practice them every day for three months in my living room to remember them, and then a year later, I'd have forgotten again, unless I kept practicing. I wouldn't be able to remember it when it was needed, otherwise. Anyway, I think maybe I have quit climbing for this lifetime.

Munter is good to know for backup purposes, but it is hell on ropes. As expensive as ropes are, you don't want to prematurely shorten its life. I prefer a basic figure 8, I find the ATCs have too much friction for me.

My figure 8 gets the most use...seems to make for a smooth and controlled rap. Looks like consensus is that munter hitch is a good back-up plan to keep in your bag of bail-out tricks.

Pirahna or if SRT which is mostly what I do or did I like my Petzel stop. If dropping an old mine shaft or cave where I can't see bottom and new territory I'll wear my chest harness that I have a croll on for a little more security and if I must do an on rope reversal of direction. I also have a mini rack it's ok but I like the others better.