When comparing Black Diamond ATC-XP vs Mad Rock Lifeguard, the Slant community recommends Mad Rock Lifeguard for most people. In the question“What are the best belay devices for rock climbing?” Mad Rock Lifeguard is ranked 5th while Black Diamond ATC-XP is ranked 22nd.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Lightweight
Pro Asymmetrical design
With one side providing significantly more friction.
Pro Double rope rappel
Pro More compact than a Grigri2
Pro Feeds rope to leader without special technique
Feeds slack somewhat more easily than Grigri, if the brake strand is lifted up and fed into the device (like belaying with a tube device).
Cons
Con No guide mode / Belay off anchor
Con No assisted braking
Con Lowering is more finicky than Grigri
Quickly transitions from "too slow" to "too fast".
Con No "lip" to grab while feeding slack quickly
While it typically feeds slack better than a Grigri, so the Grigri "fast feed" technique is not necessary, it can still sometimes get jammed. The "fast feed" Grigri technique of putting fingers under the metal lip and pressing down on the cam is not as easy to do on the Lifeguard as it is on Grigri.