Dave_Hicks

You literally said you made your own set of bumpers. That is called hypocrisy. I didn't come here for an argument and I am sorry that you choose to be confrontational. Enough said.

It's a little contradictory. You have the skills to make your own DIY solution and do so, but also object to making it easier for others to do what you did.

I really don't get your point. I've shared a free solution that one could also spend a lot of money on. You keeping pointing to the retail product that solves the same problem. Everyone knows about that already. Thanks for sharing. This the DIY forum, and this is a DIY solution.

Yes, that is a thing that exists. And a completely different product.

Sorry, I don't understand what you are saying. Yes, Retra makes a similar set of rings for over $100 USD per strobe.

I know a number of people who have made their own bumpers for Retras, but I was not able to find a single model online at the various 3D print sharing sites. (MakerWorld, Thingiverse, Printables) I wanted to make a design freely available for anyone to find and print for themselves.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/1892858-retra-strobe-protective-bumpers#profileId-2027790 Bumper Rings for Retra Strobes I was able to borrow a Retra strobe and was able to make a few mods for it including a set of Reduction & Macro Rings and these Bumper Rings. The Retra aluminum body gets scratched and dinged up pretty easily and really need some protection. These rubber Bumpers will do a great job of protecting the strobe and keeping them looking new. Just slip them over the front and back and go diving with confidence. Extra credit for cool colors other than black!

https://makerworld.com/en/models/1892627-reduction-ring-set-for-retra-strobes-w-macro-rings#profileId-2027518 I've had a design for Reduction and Macro rings for the Backscatter HF-1 Strobe for some time and they work great. I've continued to refine them over time and decided that I could easily adapt them for Retra Strobes as well. I borrowed a Retra from a buddy and went ahead and made the new models over the last week. There is a primary reduction ring that does not block the light path but slightly limits spread of the wide-angle beam. I've found this useful for reducing flare and glow with very wide-angle lens (fisheye, etc) in less than crystal clear water. You can add additional restrictors with 60mm and 38mm apertures. These are useful for macro scenes and help to limit illumination of background features. The rings are printed with PETG. There are TPU rubber gaskets that hold the rings in place. The base ring slots into the Retra bayonet fitting. Just align the arrow mark and turn counterclockwise. Two small rubber gaskets are stretched over the macro rings and provide enough friction to hold them in place securely. These should work on all current model Retra strobes up to and including the new Maxi and Max-2 strobes.

That is probably from hard water deposits. I don't have hard water where i do most of my diving and my housings don't seem to accumulate those deposits or discoloration.

Use an Lp inflation air blower on a tank to help dry stuff off.

I would not use that unless you had a seriously encrusted item, like something recovered from the ocean and allowed to dry out. Damage to orings and the finish would be my concern. Simple fresh water soak and lightly working the buttons is enough to keep a housing and other great in good shape.

No problems. I already had it enabled and pressurized. I was pressure testing the housing after fixing a likely short in the Reset switch wire on my vacuum sensor.

It wasn't a mystery novel, and no one got murdered. At best it was some mild smuggling, and it never went to trial. :)

High end credit cards include $10k travel insurance. It is a valuable perk and worth exploring. A camera rider on your home insurance may be best way to insure photo gear. I pay about $250 a year for $25k non-itemized coverage.