Gear Keeper SEEK retractor: your thermal imaging camera safely secured and within immediate reach

During an operation, you don't want to have to think about where your thermal imaging camera is. You want to grab it, use it, and then be able to let go as soon as you need both hands. At the same time, a TIC or thermal imaging camera is expensive and essential equipment that you don't want to drop or lose.

That's exactly the problem

When walking, climbing, bending, and working, a thermal imaging camera must remain securely attached to the equipment without compromising the speed at which it can be used. A loose safety lanyard might prevent the camera from falling to the ground, but it can get in the way, snag, or swing.

Gear Keeper developed SEEK retractors for this purpose: robust retractors that keep the thermal imaging camera permanently secured, allowing you to grab and use it immediately during an operation. With the new MAG KEEP™ versions, Gear Keeper goes a step further.

The problem: a thermal imaging camera must be secure, but must not slow you down

For firefighters and rescue services, a thermal imaging camera is not a gadget. During an operation, a thermal imaging camera can be used to quickly gain insight into conditions that are barely or not visible to the naked eye. This also means that the camera is regularly picked up, used, and then released again.

A conventional lanyard or safety line has a disadvantage. The line hangs loosely, causing the camera to dangle or swing on the equipment. You also have to be careful that the line doesn't get snagged somewhere.

Working completely unsecured is, of course, not an attractive alternative. A thermal imaging camera can slip from your hand or get lost during movement.

The solution must therefore combine two seemingly contradictory properties: security and freedom of movement.

That is the premise of the Gear Keeper SEEK retractor.

What is a Gear Keeper SEEK TIC retractor?

A Gear Keeper retractor can be seen as an automatically retractable safety connection between your equipment and your thermal imaging camera.

The retractor's housing is attached to the equipment with a carabiner. The thermal imaging camera is secured on the other side. When you pull the camera towards you, the cable extends from the retractor in a controlled manner. When you release the camera, the cable automatically retracts.

So you don't have to release a safety line first to use the camera.

Grab, extend, and use.

And as soon as you no longer need the camera, the retraction force ensures that the cable is retracted again. Gear Keeper positions your tool safely within reach, for demanding conditions and securing equipment, choose an original Gear Keeper retractor.

Gear Keeper SEEK retractors are designed for harsh conditions

A retractor on fire department equipment has to deal with very different conditions than a normal tool holder.

That is why the construction of the SEEK TIC versions is important. Gear Keeper specifies for the relevant SEEK retractor, among other things, a nylon-coated stainless steel cable, stainless steel spring and hardware, and a high breaking strength. All Gearkeeper SEEK retractors have a 400° F, V-2 flame-rated case, meaning they can withstand 204 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes.

This makes the SEEK series particularly interesting for applications in fire and rescue services, where equipment and fastening materials must be able to withstand demanding conditions.

What does Gear Keeper's new MAG KEEP™ system do?

The new Gear Keeper MAG KEEP™ retractors address another practical problem: the movement of the thermal imaging camera when not in use.

With a traditional Gear Keeper SEEK retractor, the retractor line is retracted all the way to the retractor. The camera remains secured, but the bottom end can still swing or dangle a bit during movement.

MAG KEEP™ therefore adds a magnetic coupling to the bottom of the retractor.

When the cable is fully retracted, the retractable end is held magnetically against the housing. This keeps the thermal imaging camera more stable against the Gear Keeper and the equipment during wear. As soon as you need the camera, you grab it and pull it towards you. The magnetic coupling releases instantly.

So no buckle, clip, or other lock needs to be opened.

MAG KEEP™ does not attach the retractor to your clothing

This is an important distinction. MAG KEEP™ does not mean that the Gear Keeper is attached to the fire department clothing with a magnet.

The Gear Keeper itself is still attached to the equipment with the aluminum carabiner.

The MAG KEEP™ magnet is located on the retractable side of the retractor. It ensures that the end to which the thermal imaging camera is secured is held against the housing when the camera is not in use.

The result is a combination of:

• Less swinging and bouncing of the camera during movement;
  
• Less flex and bending stress on the cable when stored;
  
• Instant access to the thermal imaging camera as soon as you need it;
  
• A camera that remains continuously secured to your equipment.

Pivot ball and swivel protect against unwanted cable movements

Even without MAG KEEP™, Gear Keeper has paid attention to how the cable moves during an operation. Two components play an important role here: the pivot ball and the swivel.

The pivot ball is located at the cable outlet of the retractor. This ball joint allows movement in different directions. The cable can therefore move at different angles without constantly having to bend or kink at one point near the housing. On the other side is the swivel. This can rotate 360 degrees around its axis.

If the thermal imaging camera rotates during use, the swivel can absorb this rotating movement instead of transmitting it as torsion to the cable. Gear Keeper itself refers to this 360° swivel as a feature to prevent cable twist.

The difference is simple:

• Pivot ball = movement at different angles.
  
• Swivel = rotation around its own axis.
  
• MAG KEEP™ = magnetically stabilize the end when the camera is not in use.

Which Gear Keeper MAG KEEP™ retractor do you need?

Not every thermal imaging camera has the same weight. Therefore, the MAG KEEP™ retractors are available with different retraction forces and cable lengths.

Model	Retraction Force	Line Length	MAG KEEP™	Locking Carabiner
RT3MK-4536	36 oz. / approx. 1.020 g	18 inch / approx. 45 cm	✓	x
RT3MK-4548	48 oz. / approx. 1.360 g	22 inch / approx. 55 cm	✓	x
RT3MK-4558	58 oz. / approx. 1.644 g	22 inch / approx. 55 cm	✓	x
RT3MK-4568	68 oz. / approx. 1.928 g	16 inch / 68 cm	✓	x

In addition, LC versions of these MAG KEEP™ models are available, such as the RT3MK-4536-LC and RT3MK-4548-LC.

What does LC mean for a Gear Keeper retractor?

The LC addition makes an important difference at the top of the retractor. A model such as the RT3MK-4548 is equipped with a large load-bearing aluminum carabiner without additional locking.

The RT3MK-4548-LC combines the same MAG KEEP™ principle with a lockable aluminum Lock/Twist Lock carabiner.

If you want to be able to extra secure the attachment to the equipment, then the LC version is the logical choice.

There are also traditional SEEK versions without MAG KEEP™ that are also available with a lockable carabiner.

	RT3MK-4548	RT3MK-4548-LC	RT3-4548-LC	RT3-4548
MAG KEEP™	✓	✓	-	-
Aluminum Carabiner	✓	✓	✓	✓
Locking Carabiner	-	✓	✓	-
Pivot Ball / Cable Guide	✓	✓	✓	✓
Swivel	✓	✓	✓	✓
Application	TIC / Thermal Imaging Camera	TIC / Thermal Imaging Camera	TIC / Thermal Imaging Camera	TIC / Thermal Imaging Camera
Key Difference	MAG KEEP™	MAG KEEP™ + Locking Carabiner	Locking Carabiner	Carabiner

RT3MK stands for the version with MAG KEEP™.
LC indicates that the retractor is equipped with the locking carabiner.

This makes it much easier to select the correct version.

A secure attachment of the thermal imaging camera itself is just as important

A retractor is ultimately as reliable as the point to which you attach it.

It is therefore wise not only to look at which Gear Keeper you choose, but also at how a thermal imaging camera is attached to a retractor and how and where you want to attach the retractor to your equipment.

Not just for thermal imaging cameras

Although these Gear Keeper versions are specifically interesting for SEEK TIC and other thermal imaging cameras, the principle is more broadly applicable.

Other electronic measuring instruments that need to be used regularly during work can also benefit from a suitable retractor: the instrument remains secured, can be extended when needed, and is then automatically retracted.

In doing so, a retractor should always be chosen whose retraction force, attachment, and design are suitable for the instrument and application in question.

During an operation, you want to keep your focus on the operation

That is ultimately the strongest argument for a good TIC retractor.

Not another action. No searching for where your camera went. And not having to consciously deal with a loose safety line every time. Your thermal imaging camera is where you expect it, remains secured, and is available with a single movement.

The standard Gear Keeper SEEK retractor solves the problem of securing and keeping the thermal imaging camera accessible. With MAG KEEP™, an additional advantage is added: the camera is held more stably against the retractor during wear.

And by choosing a SEEK retractor in an LC version, you can also add a lockable aluminum carabiner.

Three different properties, ultimately with the same goal: important equipment securely secured, stably carried, and immediately within reach.

Which Gear Keeper SEEK retractor suits your thermal imaging camera?

The most important thing is to match the retraction force to the thermal imaging camera or instrument you want to secure. Then you can decide whether to choose the standard version, MAG KEEP™, and/or an LC version with a lockable carabiner.

View the Gear Keeper SEEK TIC retractors at GearKeeperShop and choose the version that suits your thermal imaging camera, equipment, and way of working.