Carbon Fiber Shafts.....Opinions......

stpauli914

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Jun 7, 2011
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Gulf Coast FL
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Just ordered an Anderson Carbon fiber over/under shaft as well and the isolator shaft in carbon fiber as well. I have heard that the weight savings and the lack of any metal(aluminum) in the setup helps stability and depth. Does anyone have any comments on this? I will let you know what I think when I get mine set up. Well over $200 worth of goods but if it manages just one extra gold ring per year I guess it is well worth it! I have been using a plugger shaft with the behind the elbow mount for my Excal and like it, but still a bit heavy for my liking. Should be here tomorrow and I will be hunting Sat. and Sun. mornings for about 3 hours each so I will give my opinions afterwards.

Aaron
 

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search and recovery

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May 6, 2011
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I have the Anderson straight shaft on my Excal II. Works great but have the control unit waist mounted. Still heavy compared to my dual field. I ordered the dive kit from Whites for the straight rear section with the arm cuff, and the tall man lower rod. It is 10" longer than the standard lower rod. Works great and the coil no longer floats. The total cost was $60 plus shipping. Less than half the cost of an Anderson shaft. I have heard good things about the plugger shafts but never got to try one out yet.
 

Mudflap

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I have the Anderson straight shaft on my Excal II. Works great but have the control unit waist mounted. Still heavy compared to my dual field. I ordered the dive kit from Whites for the straight rear section with the arm cuff, and the tall man lower rod. It is 10" longer than the standard lower rod. Works great and the coil no longer floats. The total cost was $60 plus shipping. Less than half the cost of an Anderson shaft. I have heard good things about the plugger shafts but never got to try one out yet.

What's in the dive kit? I have a couple of Surfmasters that I would like to mod a bit.

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OBN

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Have two Carbon Fibers, one is extra long for wide sweeping the other is standard length. Difference? Some places yes, others no. Performance? Not noticeable..........Also went with one EMI shielding the other none,,difference...very little if any at all. Over all was it worth the money, yes...every ounce counts (Helps) ..emi..Not sure
 

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Sandman

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Regardless of straight shaft or under the elbow mount, the way to reduce weight on the swinging arm is to either hip mount the controls or hang them from your neck in a simple homemade harness and neck strap. I made mine in ten minutes with a one inch dia lawn chair tube and electric drill for the bolts.
 

search and recovery

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May 6, 2011
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Halifax, N.C.
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Mudflap...The dive kit is the entire dive shaft. You only use the back section from it ( the part with the arm cuff ). Keep the middle section from your S rod ( straight section ), and add the tall man lower fiber shaft to the front in place of the standard lower fiber rod. Much better balance and easy to work with in the water. Hope this helps...STUART

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Mudflap

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Thanks. Have to check it out. I gotta do some bouyancy work on my loop also.

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toyotaman3356

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Jul 25, 2010
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I love my Anderson Detector Shaft. Its one piece, nothing to slides around. I use mine in the Atlantic Ocean and when it gets rough it acts as a crutch. I chest mount the control box, so all I have on my arm is the shaft and coil. This set up is super light. I have an interview with Pete Anderson. If you would like to here it go to Let's Talk About Metal Detecting and Treasure Hunting and look at shows.
 

TENNESSEEGAL

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toyotaman3356 said:
I love my Anderson Detector Shaft. Its one piece, nothing to slides around. I use mine in the Atlantic Ocean and when it gets rough it acts as a crutch. I chest mount the control box, so all I have on my arm is the shaft and coil. This set up is super light. I have an interview with Pete Anderson. If you would like to here it go to Let's Talk About Metal Detecting and Treasure Hunting and look at shows.

Would you mind posting a picture of your chest mount set up? Im considering doing this instead of the hip mount because I use a weight belt.
 

dewcon4414

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I wouldnt be looking at the fiber for weight savings..... but i tell you im getting tired of the darn things locking up. If you dont take them APART they lock up in no time. Thats why i think the Carbon fiber would be the best.

Dew
 

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