Advice needed for dumb newbie

[DavidHickey]

Good morning,
I need some help trying to figure out the best way to connect my computer. I'm getting ready to take the gear out for the first time next week and complete my last 2 OW dives. I bought one of the retractors that has a brass clip on one end that connects to my BCD rings. The other end has basically a Key ring on it. How do you go about connecting your console to the ring? If I put the ring directly thru one of the connecting holes on the computer I would have to lug the retractor around with the computer out of water or undo the key ring everytime which would be a pain. Whats the proper or normal way to connect you computer/console ?
Thanks

 

[RICHinNC]

Well...my gauges have a place to put a key ring....

but I would recommend...if you can....going wrist mount.

 

[DiveMaven]

If you want to have your computer on a retractor, buy one that has a quick disconnect in the form of a plastic male/female squeeze lock. The male end is connected to the computer with a key ring and the female end stays attached to your retractor and BC.

 

[ScubaFreak]

Hi David

Yup, wristmount i agree with too, helps in streamlining and you won't have bits dangling around you keeping you distracted.
Although I'd concentrate more on your OW skills than your computer, use the guages on your SPG to keep it simple.

Scubafreak

 

[cmcarver]

I just use a zip tie on the console to clip my retractor to. I then run the retractor thru one of the d rings on the bc and connect to the retractor to one that is about 4" away from the one I ran it thru. This allows for the common retractor slack to be taken up between the d rings and keeps the guages close to the body

 

[CBulla]

Hi David

Yup, wristmount i agree with too, helps in streamlining and you won't have bits dangling around you keeping you distracted.
Although I'd concentrate more on your OW skills than your computer, use the guages on your SPG to keep it simple.

Scubafreak

I'm echoing the Freak here... KISS.. get those tables and basic guage reading skills down then worry about a computer. If the computer fails (and they do, I've seen it first hand 2x) its your skills that get you up safe, not a blank screen.

 

[drglnc]

a carabeaner (sp) works great, the little rock climing clasps. they sell them in all camping stores and also in most sporting good departments @ walmart or target. They also work great for attaching chemical lights to your tank on night dives.

 

[Damselfish]

(To answer the original question...) I have a similar retractor with a ring and a clip. There are several attachment points on my console all too bulky to put rings or clips on, so I put a zip tie at each end of my console, leaving some slack so it's like a small loop. Ring is on one of the zip ties, then when I'm not using it I just clip the other end of the retractor to the loop on the other end of the console, keeps it neat and out of the way.

 

[Web Monkey]

a carabeaner (sp) works great, the little rock climing clasps. they sell them in all camping stores and also in most sporting good departments @ walmart or target. They also work great for attaching chemical lights to your tank on night dives.

Caribiners are bad. They tend to collect anything you swim by (rope, monofilament, etc.).

Because of their design, it's possible to load them up with more stuff than you can easily release. They're part of a group of attachment devices called "suicide clips".

I'd go with the retractor. There should be some sort of hole on your computer that will accept a small piece of line, which oddly enough comes with the right fastex buckle to attach to a retractor.

Terry

 

[my1ocean]

You should really keep an open mind, remeber all the ideas previously posted and go to a dive shop and look at all the little connectors and whoziewhats they have. Decide what will work best for you and your computer. There will more than likely be some one there with some experienced advice as well. It may even help to take you retractor and computer along. Even if you don't buy anything, you can get some great ideas just by looking at what's available.