I like ready access to some of my small gear – like the Photon light. So I have been using a key retractor with a quiet-pulling, nylon cable (instead of nasty stutter-sounding chain) and short belt clip. They are also sold as net retractors in the fishing department and are very affordable, selling for less than $4. I never seriously considered using a small fishing zinger, which have a pin closure glued to the back. The glued on pin closure has a reputation of failing, and gear is lost.
But I have wanted the option to both fasten something to the retractor housing and to make the belt clip more secure. Also it was desirable to find a brand that had the right amount of force to fully retract the attached gear. I recently found something called the Gear Keeper that more than fulfilled my wish list.
The version of the Gear Keeper shown here is the high force Key Retractor with revolving belt clip. Typical, key retractors in a metal housing can weigh between 2.53 (32.5 g) and 4.27 oz (121 g). The Gear Keeper without the revolving belt clip weighed 1.15 oz (32.5 g). Attaching the belt clip added nearly an ounce (28.3 g), bring the weight to 1.99 oz (56.4 g). A simple webbing strap with a nylon clip bumped the weight up to 2.15 oz (60.8 g).
I personally liked the Key Retractor variation for the greater rigging options. The belt clip can be detached with a T6 torx driver if desired. And other devices/features can be added to the top of the device.
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