spoolin01
Contributor
I haven't been drawn to retractors since I don't like the limited movement, but it could work for the gauge I'd guess. Some friends like them for their light too. For daytime I just wear the light on a wrist lanyard since in SoCal shining the light in holes is a major part of the hunt. If I need both hands and the light might interfere, I just put it down. It's often a bit dark and low contrast, and the narrow beam lights (like UK SL4/SL6) can light up the bug's antenna from a distance so it speeds up the hunt to be able to search without going right up to a hole. At night I like a broad beam for field of view, and mount the gauge in front of the lens - very quick to use. It's just not possible to hold the bug, light and gauge all by hand.
For bags, handles are a must and the ones with smooth nylon for the top of the bag prevent some of the snagging of mesh on spines that can make it hard to get the bug safely stashed.
For bags, handles are a must and the ones with smooth nylon for the top of the bag prevent some of the snagging of mesh on spines that can make it hard to get the bug safely stashed.