Tire chains

The Ridgeline owners manual has dire warnings about using steel tire chains, and insists that cable type are to be used. Yet pretty much everyone else says that the cable type suck, and tend to tear up and/or come off.
So what's the straight dope on this important issue? Has Honda tested steel chains, or worked with any manufacturers to come up with chains that won't destroy my brake lines, etc?

Honda strongly recommends the use of cable chains because of fairly close clearances, but I think if you do some investigating, you will find chains that have about the same clearance as cable chains.

Some of the older style chains were in fact chains all around. So if a link on the inside of the wheel popped it could in fact trash the b-line.

Many of the chain manufacturers have gone to a hybrid system. For instance the Les Schwab quick fit chains are a diamond pattern chain across the tread only, both the the inner and outer walls are cable connect systems.

Also like Web mentioned these chains fit very close and are probably on a few mm taller than cable would be. Plus if a link breaks on the diamond pattern you will only have a section roughly 3" rattleing whereas on a cable if you pop you are likely to have 8-10" slapping around.

Personally I'll take the risk with chains. If you are terribly concerned maybe you should look into a set of studded tires for the winter months.

Nah, I'm not terribly worried. I won't get to the snow often enough to warrant studded tires. If you have 4wd, and the tires are rated M/S, you're only required to have chains with you.
But, if I do use chains and one breaks and wipes out the brake line, is Honda going to honor the warranty? Or accept liability for consequential damage?
I was kinda hoping for some sort of commitment here from Honda. Mr. "pie in the sky", that's me. :D
I will definitely check out Schwartz's chains, though.
Thanks

I am not certain if Honda has fixed a problem or not. My 2007 Ridgeline Owners manual only states as follows:

Mount tire chains on your tires when required by driving conditions or local laws. Install them only on the front tires. Do not use chains on the rear tires.

I did not see anything about not using steel chains.