Gear-Retractor: Rewind Gear Retractor

by Civilian Lab

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000MMOJUS
• Item model number: Gear-Retractor
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,076 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 29, 2005

Product Description

Contemporary field tools are marvels of engineering and design. But they can't help you if they are floating to the ocean follor, or bouncing down a mountain never to be seen again. Protect your valuable investments with this simple peice of equipment. There has been a lack of solutions for keeping gear attached to you. Lanyards get tangled and hang out to be snagged. Diving retractors are generally too heavy, bulky and expensive for light gear.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A reluctant (now) two stars, August 28, 2008

By 

RadioMaven (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gear-Retractor: Rewind Gear Retractor (Electronics)

Better perhaps than others out there. Came really fast from seller Civilian Lab (Aug 2008).

PROS: clear plastic coated steel cable; firm reel retraction spring -- at least now when it's new. Action is smooth. Metal spring-loaded hooks feel like they have good quality springs.

CONS: The casing is plastic and a loop on the casing is plastic too. A small ring attaching the casing to a spring-loaded hook is cheap and bent easily. (Do not let anything valuable dangle from this until you have replaced this nasty, weak, open ring.) The metal from which the hooks and swivels looks and feels like it belongs on junk from China. It does not looks like it will bear up to any use beyond mild & gentle.

SUMMARY: Definitely NOT soldier-proof, but I'll try it out for attaching light kit (plastic compass, whistle, etc.) to outer clothing loops, and supporting them in a pocket. I am not comfortable attaching anything valuable such as gps, phone, flashlight or anything weighing more than an ounce or two to this. I certainly wouldn't let anything dangle from it outside a pocket even if you replace that dodgey ring with say a v small split ring (key ring); the plastic ring on cable housing is just too weak a point of failure to be reliable.

A reluctant four stars only because so far, it is better than anything else at which I have looked in this category. I'll post an update if & when I have more information.

--
(Sep 2008) UPDATE:
Now a reluctant three stars. I used this item a little for a day or so as a key ring slung from a belt loop and supported in my pocket. The plastic snap-latch with the cord (examine the pictures) detached itself and was lost -- thankfully without anything attached to it. Minus one star -- perhaps minus two, but Amazon won't allow me revise the stars in "Rate this item" ..sheeshh!

Overall the metal parts (other than the cord) feel flimsy -- not inspiring of confidence. Since I lost a part and already threw away the packaging I will keep it -- though I know I shouldn't have kit around in which I can't be confident. Oh well.

SUGGESTION: Consider Nikon's Nikon Retractable Rangfndr Tether Rltre Rangefinder 8173 instead. It too has a braided metal cord, good springs etc. It is beefier and less fussy than the one from Civilian. It is intended for tethering rangefinders -- which weigh a little less than 1lb. I Paid about $20 for it at a local outdoors store.

Another Nikon one on Amazon is this one: Nikon Retractable Rangefinder Tether which is cheaper than the above and claims a 60lb breaking strength. Even though they are made from plastic, I think either would be better than the one from Civilian.

The Nikon one I bought was made in the USA too -- a rare find these days. In light of China's reputation in manufactured goods, that alone should recommend the Nikon.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars top notch!!!!!!!!!!, May 2, 2008

By 

D. Rink "drink" (minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I am a teacher with many keys that cannot be lost. Use stockroom keys, door keys...all day and this thing works brilliant. Strong, durable, and plenty of length. It does not twist and tangle. Have used it the entire school year, still going strong! I also connect my flash drive with a quick release. Used to always forget to take the flash out of my pocket..into the wash. Not now! Great value and quality!!!!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Durable, November 8, 2007

By 

Dennis "bozhed" (American Canyon, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been using this for a month now. Very durable. I was going through the cheap onces with the nylon cords at a rate of every 2-3 months. This one is showing no signs of wear.