TESTCENTRE
Retractable Lanyard
COMPANY : LOMO WATERSPORTS PRICE : £ 19 TEL : 0141 2217674 WEB : WWW . LOMO . CO . UK
Keeping connected
Looking for a means to carry a small dive torch for occasional use but within easy access when using a camera housing , I got hold of one of Lomo Watersports ’ retractable lanyards .
This sub-palm sized device features a sturdy G-clip on one side , suitable for attaching to any convenient D-ring . The
opposite end has a circular stainless steel ring of the type typically found on key rings , but of much more formidable construction .
Between the two lies the body of the unit . This contains 109cm of thin , but very strong wire , tightly coiled within its hard plastic case when not in use .
Whatever you choose to attach can be locked firmly in place via a small push-button , keeping it close and streamlined at all times . When I needed to shine a light on my surroundings , I simply released the button and tugged on the torch to extend the wire .
I could either choose to lock it off at a comfortable length for prolonged use or simply leave it on retract and let the torch return to its former position . The retractor can be used for various other items of kit and I also used it with a three-gauge console , a compact camera , compass and rebreather handset .
A good flush-through with fresh water was a must to keep salt deposits from building up within the unit . I found a burst of silicone spray from time-to-time also helped keep it in perfect retractable condition . NH
SCUBA SAYS
Lomo ’ s dinky little retractable lanyard can be used with a variety of accessories , keeping them tucked away while providing easy access when required .
Making a DIN
M26 male to G 5 / 8 ” 232 bar female adaptor
COMPANY : NAUTILUS DIVING PRICE : £ 16.96 TEL : 0333 4440104 WEB : WWW . NAUTILUS . UK
Back in 2008 , the European Union decided that cylinders and valves that used a higher concentration of oxygen greater than 22 %, should be fitted with an entirely different valve .
This was designed to prevent the wrong gas going in the wrong cylinder . Known as the M26 , this valve / first stage has a slightly larger diameter than that of the BSP ( British Standard Pipe ) DIN . In the case of rebreathers purchased from the EU ( or post-2008 UK units conforming to this legislation ) both the oxygen first stage and oxygen cylinder valve are fitted with M26 valves .
If , however , you own an older unit and the standard DIN fitting , then pack it up for a trip abroad without cylinders , there may be a potential conflict when arriving at your destination . The simple solution is to carry one of Nautilus ’ M26 male to G5 / 8 ” female adapters .
Small and easy to carry in your pocket , it has a nicely-knurled outer surface for ease of grip .
Simply screw it into the cylinder valve and it downsizes one thread size to the other . Of course , if your rebreather has the M26 valve and you ’ re heading off to non-EU territories , then the opposite problem applies . Nautilus has this covered and also supply an adaptor for this very similar scenario . NH
SCUBA SAYS
Nautilus Diving ’ s M26 to standard DIN adaptor makes light work of conflicting DIN thread sizes for both travel and filling .
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