Steve Says: Retractable Tether / Lanyard

Transcript from Steve's Video:

The Garmin retractable tether is one of my favorite ways to carry a Garmin Astro or a Garmin Alpha. Biggest thing about your Astro is that you need access to it. But the handhelds are very expensive and you do not want to drop them. So I highly recommend that you tie them to yourself.

The tether works great in that it has a clip. It's going to be attached to you, but you can pull it out when you need it. And it retracts by itself. I use them in conjunction with the belt clip that comes along with the Alphas and the Astros. You can't trust the belt clip by itself just because of the way they rotate. If you are walking through the brush you can knock it off very easily.

But the tether is going to fix that where if it does come loose then it's still going to be attached to your vest. It's still going to be attached to your belt loop. I've been using them for a while. Pretty simple. Just slides through the loop here on the bottom.

So we have this. Then we take our tether and it attaches. And so now you've got it tied to yourself. Take this, I'll attach this to a belt loop or a loop on my vest. And then I take the clip and now it's hanging. This way I've got access to it. it's not bouncing around on me. I've got easy access to it when I need it. But when I'm through with it I just clip it back in and it's secure. I don't have to worry about losing it. And then the real beauty here is that you've got a safety clip on it so that you can separate it out and you can charge it without having to remove the clip from your vest.

Just a great tool. It works well with the Alphas and the Astros. It will work well with anything else that we've got as far as if it has a clip to it. Neat way to keep up with it and have easy access in the field.

Steve Snell

Review Summary

Garmin Retractable Tether / Lanyard $24.99

4.6

36 Reviews

72% (26)

19% (7)

3% (1)

94% Recommend this product (34 of 36 responses)

By Eric

Vermont

Works well

October 6, 2024

Used this on the alpha 300, for the most part it holds the unit right in place.

Pros

Easy to hook to your vest
Long enough to be able to pull the unit to look at

Cons

Needs to have just a little stronger spring, for the 300

By Jim

Ohio

Seems great so far

June 11, 2024

Have it connected to my Final rise sidekick and I like it so far
Seems durable and gives peace of mind that I won't lose my Alpha 200
Only used it for 4-5 quick training runs this early summer

Pros

Connections are strong, retractable strength is good

Cons

Small thread/string holding onto handheld- hope it lasts

By David

Greenwood

Secure Teather

January 17, 2024

The hand held transmitter should have included a strap in original purchase. I was always reluctant to take it with me in the Duck Blind for fear of dropping in water. Now I can hook it up?

By Neil

North Mississippi

Good product

February 7, 2023

I bought this to replace my lanyard on my alpha 200, works very well holds it closer to my jacket, yet accessible when I need it

Pros

Holds close
Less swinging around

Cons

None so far

By Betsy C.

Virginia

Perfect accessory

January 25, 2022

Great way to NOT lose our Garmin Sport Pro. Comes on and off easily from a belt loop or on our carabiner on our jackets. Great product and the extra tie is appreciated as well.

By Al

Medina, Ohio

Thin loop broke when transmitter snagged on corn.

December 12, 2021

There was a hard tug on my vest when the handheld snagged a corn stalk. The thin loop was weak enough to snap and prevent damage to the transmitter. Thankfully it was strong enough to get my attention. Unexpectedly the connector was still firmly snapped together with no damage.

Pros

Beats looking for a lost transmitter. Or worse yet...buying a replacement. Get 2 attachment loops...one for your training transmitter and one for a hunting (GPS) transmitter. Works well for bird release transmitters also.

Cons

Recoil tension is slightly weak for heavier transmitters like a PRO 500 Plus. Did not see replacement loops sold separately. I'll check with Gun Dog Supply for my options.

By Morrie

Washington

Faulty design

November 26, 2021

Not secure. If you want to protect your $650 handheld with 6 pound test this is for you. 15 minutes into my first hunt with my Garmin Alpha 200i this tether snagged and broke free in medium cover. Didn't realize it for a couple of minutes but once the panic subsided and I figured out how to locate using the app I was able to locate the handheld. Thought it was a fluke but two weeks later the same thing happened again only this time I felt the tug and stopped but it still broke free and released the handheld. Garmin should be ashamed to sell this product.

Pros

Garmin name

Cons

Everything else

By Mark

Minnesota

Retractable tether lanyard works well

November 10, 2021

The lanyard needs to clip onto a d-ring or belt loop etc. Once there the retraction keeps the lanyard out of your way. I wear it on my field vest and leave it there when removed and wanting the handheld with me. The quick disconnect makes this process easy.

Pros

The retraction keeps the lanyard with drawn and out of your way.

Cons

the quick disconnect isn't the same as the other Garmin lanyards.

By Chip V.

Richmond, VA

Great secondary attachment for Garmin Alpha collars

October 16, 2021

I have used one of these as part of my 2 part carriers for Alpha 100 and now 200i for over 10 years. Great retractable. I have broken one after years of use in thick woods chasing woodcock and ruffed grouse. Highly recommend.

Pros

Works as it should and tuff.

Cons

Thin cord can wear over time and break. I walked 60
Miles in the UP this week hunting thick cover and held up great.

By Dean

Montana

Good backup mounting

August 31, 2021

The loop on this is pretty thin, so I'm not sure I'd use this as the only connection in the field. But if you have something like the snap-on belt mount as the primary, and are worried that might fail and you'd loose the unit, this is a great secondary/backup mount point.

By Matt W.

Fayetteville GA