The only thing I use a retractor for is my compass, which I keep on a hip d-ring so it's out of the way and not dangly. I tried putting it in a bungee mount on the wrist of my drysuit, but I found it a pain to use because I had to reposition it to get a good viewing angle depending on which window I wanted to see (eg. I would set my bearing looking at it from above, but then would have to move it on my wrist to look forwards at it through the side window while swimming. Usually halfway through this I would lose my bearing and have to start over.)
So I guess what I'm saying is that retractors have their place but should be minimized. I keep everything else secure and tight with cable ties, bolt snaps, and bike tire rubber bands.
Coiled lanyards are the worst. I do not use them, but I know someone who carries a bulky light with one, and it hangs way below him, dragging on the bottom and mucking up the vis.
So I guess what I'm saying is that retractors have their place but should be minimized. I keep everything else secure and tight with cable ties, bolt snaps, and bike tire rubber bands.
Coiled lanyards are the worst. I do not use them, but I know someone who carries a bulky light with one, and it hangs way below him, dragging on the bottom and mucking up the vis.