Retractable Rangefinder

[MathewsMan7]

One of my many weaknesses is my inability to carry out conceptualized ideas...I’m just not a great DIY’er...I can visualize what I want many times, but don’t have a nack for being able to carry out said idea the way I want...I really want to have my rangefinder attached to my chest in some way that it is secure to my chest/shoulder and therefore completely out of the way when I draw on a deer...but I also want it readily available and not have it require a bunch of movement if I want to use it in the heat of the moment...

I’m visualizing some kind of retractable attachment method, but not sure how to carry out said idea...anybody have any ideas? Or maybe some ideas of you you DIY’d yours to accomplish these goals? Michael Waddel uses a loop of paracord around his shoulder with a biner attached that easily slides up and down the cord and rangefinder attached to the cord...that’s what I’ll do if I can’t come up with anything else, but a retractable option is what I’m essentially wanting, I believe...thoughts?

 

[MathewsMan7]

Using a retractable lanyard like people use for badges at their place of work was something I considered...didn’t know if anybody had used one of these for this specific application

 

[TooBigToFit]

Not as retracty, but you can use a coated coil spring or bungee too. Probably a bit quieter.

 

[Razorbak66]

Get a kayak retractable like for rods get them from wilderness kayak small lightweight and steel cable I used that for my rangefinder and cards when I hit the casinos. 15$ or so. Check amazon

 

[Razorbak66]

My bad 25$ wilderness sells them

 

[TooBigToFit]

Gear Keeper is another brand I know of, from the fire service and SCUBA side of things.

 

[sojourner]

Look into Rick Young Outdoors.

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His bino harness has extra attachments available and the whole system is pretty flexible for your configuration.

 

[PEEJAY]

you could use a lighter leash...not sure if a RF would be to heavy though

 

[JBDaddy]

If you have a local Ace hardware, look for a key retractor there used for keychains.

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[Joe_Bow]

FHF sells a lanyard for $12. https://fhfgear.com/products/equipment-lanyard?variant=4690462834722

 

[MathewsMan7]

Thanks for the ideas...I’m gonna try that FHF gear lanyard...looks pretty simple and about right for what I’m looking for...thanks @Joe_Bow

 

[Goldentriangle85]

I’d be careful with the retractables. That’s what I tried first but the one I got first from Nikon was way too noisy. I’m using elastic cord now and works pretty good.


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[heretic]

I keep my rangefinder on a piece of elastic cord that is girth hitched on the right strap of my bino harness. It's just long enough to stretch up to my eye, but short enough to hang on my right side and not get in the way.

 

[Joe_Bow]

I’d be careful with the retractables. That’s what I tried first but the one I got first from Nikon was way too noisy. I’m using elastic cord now and works pretty good.


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Ya I bought retractables and they were way too noisy for deer. Transitioned those to fishin.
Let me know how you like the FHF @MathewsMan7 - I might get one too

 

[drew13]

I use a zinger retractor that is commonly used for fly fishing attached to my bino harness. I then sewed a donut shaped neodymium magnet to the harness near my right shoulder and used vet tape to secure about a 1.5” square of thin sheet metal to side of my range finder. The range finder is held in place on my right side by the magnet with the zinger as backup.

 

[Letemgrowitllshow]

@MathewsMan7 what did you end up getting? I'm looking for a reachable solution as well

 

[MathewsMan7]

I bought the retractable hoist from FHF. It's a quality piece of gear for cheap. I also tried Michael Waddell's paracord/carabiner method, and I actually liked it better. Just made a continuous loop of paracord, put a loop of paracord on my rangefinder, and attached with a carabiner. I liked that one better than the retractable hoist from FHF. Here's a video of Waddell explaining it.

 

[Chandler96]

https://www.amazon.com/T-REIGN-Retractable-Retraction-Polycarbonate-Attachment/dp/B00BF6QRM8/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=retractable+carabiner&qid=1603200896&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-6