Where/how to hang your gear on harness?

[ethanb]

If I primarily dived in salt water, I'd probably think again about the use of boots and hose protectors. Trapping salt-water against metal objects is just begging for corrosion. But in fresh water, I think the boot gives added protection without any significant downside. If the gauges is leaking, you'll see bubbles coming out of the boot (besides, try to drain a tank through a HP hose sometime - you'll get bored and stop before you run out of air). I haven't ever broken a gauge myself, but I did see one get busted on a boat when a guy set his tank on it. Dented the side and cracked the seam.
I really can't speak with authority on the ease-of-use of a wrist compass vs. a console. I've only tried a wrist compass a few times, while I have hundreds of dives with a console. It may very well be easier to use on the wrist, but I don't like having cluttered arms.

As for gauges, I'm a big fan of the tiny ScubaPro gauges:

They're a bit smaller than standard gauges and marked in increments of 100 psi. The only things I don't like are the fact that they go up to 6000 psi (why not 4500?) and that they have that stupid red band below 500 psi. How's that for hyprocracy - I like little tiny gauges, but don't mind having a console?

I dislike coil retractors. Every single retractor I tried eventually stopped working properly. Either the springs rusted or debris got trapped inside them. Snap bolts and cave line are a cheaper, simpler, far superior solution in my mind. You could mount a snapbolt to your light with some cave line. Then use a lanyard when you unhook it to use the light.

I've never used the "enclosed" retractors with a spring and cord. I'd be skeptical about them as well - especially in salt water or very dirty water I would think they'd tend to get jammed. I realize I'm putting myself up for derision in the tech diving community, but I really like this unit:

It has a plastic clip, a platic fastex buckle (when you want to keep the light "somewhat close"), and a rubber/plastic coiled bungee for extension. If I had to do it again, perhaps I would've saved the $10 or so and made my own out of bungee and some clips, but I wasn't so innovative then. When I finally do break it, I may very well try making my own. Looking at it, you'd think that the coils would tend to snag on things, but I haven't ever had that happen. I'm guessing I have 75-100 dives with it and it hasn't caused me any problems yet. I'm not saying it won't ever, but if I ever were to get badly snagged, I could easily cut it. So, anyway, I'm not a huge advocate of retractors, but in my experience, this one seem to work fine. Just don't go and put your console on one!

Ethan