Some advice on my set up please.

[happy-diver]

Well your diving looks to be in better condition than your rubbish photo upload and I'm using a 55" monitor

 

[billgraham]

Is that a wetsuit? It's hard to tell from the photos.

 

[steveiemac]

Thanks guys. That’s all useful advice and points. I’ll have a look at the crotch this weekend and check my right tank for trim.

 

[steveiemac]

Well your diving looks to be in better condition than your rubbish photo upload and I'm using a 55" monitor

It’s also really hard to get someone who doesn’t dive SM to take the photo that you’re trying to get to show your trim properly. And yes, I didn’t really know what I was doing on the upload.

 

[steveiemac]

Is that a wetsuit? It's hard to tell from the photos.

Yes it’s wetsuit.

 

[mdwalter]

torch on a retractor- not part of my normal set up. Was staying outside so no tangle hazards.

Hi. I’m after some critique for any improvements for any part of my set up please. I dive 7l steels (300bar) with a stealth tec 2.0. Any advice is welcomed. I feel pretty comfortable in the water but I know it can always be better.

Here's that critique for improvement to your setup... LOSE THE RETRACTOR. It makes you look like a noob and negates all the cool points you've racked up with your almost perfect SM setup, buoyance, and trim. Also, it is an entanglement hazard even if you are not planning to penetrate the wreck; there is often a bunch of monofilament fishing line all over the outside of wrecks worldwide that is just waiting to snag any danglies.
Otherwise, you look pretty good to me. I do agree with some others that your right tank looks a bit suspicious in the third pic, but the left one looks good so maybe it's just the camera angle.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Ever thought about training with Stratis Kas? Easier now with the ferry connection.

 

[steveiemac]

Here's that critique for improvement to your setup... LOSE THE RETRACTOR. It makes you look like a noob and negates all the cool points you've racked up with your almost perfect SM setup, buoyance, and trim. Also, it is an entanglement hazard even if you are not planning to penetrate the wreck; there is often a bunch of monofilament fishing line all over the outside of wrecks worldwide that is just waiting to snag any danglies.
Otherwise, you look pretty good to me. I do agree with some others that your right tank looks a bit suspicious in the third pic, but the left one looks good so maybe it's just the camera angle.

100% agree. It was a total one off for that dive. The retractor is actually my daughter's. My normal torch is a Sola 1200 so sits on my glove. In my defense, the wreck is the Zenobia which is totally clear of line as it's in a protected area. I take your point though.

 

[billgraham]

Yes it’s wetsuit.

That makes it a bit harder to keep your feet up. If you feel yourself fighting that a little, you can move the cam bands, or try to get more of the wing bouyancy lower toward your butt.

 

[SlugLife]

Here's that critique for improvement to your setup... LOSE THE RETRACTOR. It makes you look like a noob and negates all the cool points you've racked up with your almost perfect SM setup, buoyance, and trim. Also, it is an entanglement hazard even if you are not planning to penetrate the wreck; there is often a bunch of monofilament fishing line all over the outside of wrecks worldwide that is just waiting to snag any danglies.
Otherwise, you look pretty good to me. I do agree with some others that your right tank looks a bit suspicious in the third pic, but the left one looks good so maybe it's just the camera angle.

100% agree. It was a total one off for that dive. The retractor is actually my daughter's. My normal torch is a Sola 1200 so sits on my glove. In my defense, the wreck is the Zenobia which is totally clear of line as it's in a protected area. I take your point though.

Hah, retractors are one of those things which sound good in theory, but in practice I've found to be simply annoying, never works well, and (most importantly) better replaced by some alternative.

Currently, my "go-to" is to create a paracord or bungie loop, using a prusik knot, and treading that through a bolt-snap, and the item. The loop is big enough after being threaded to fit my hand through and act as a lanyard, so I can "drop" an item at any time. The bolt-snap is for a secure clip-off, just in case I need to temporarily clip it, or want an extra- secure clip-off in case if falls out of a sheath.