Coil Covers, are they necessary?

[zurc]

I was just thinking. Are coil covers necessary? I know they protect the coil and that is great, but are there any disadvantages of using one? Reduce performance?

 

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[Sandman]

Once you have TO pay the $$$ for a new coil you'll understand. The coils are weakest on the edges which wear through fast. The only disadvantage is black sand gets inside the cover which makes the coil unstable. Easy to clean out.

 

[locater]

Hello zurc, welcome. Yes to your first question and no to the second. Coil replacement is not cheap, always good to take care of what you have.

 

[Newfiehunter]

Here is my old coil cover that was on my CZ5 for almost 20 years which was replaced with a new one, so you can see the damage that can be done over a period of time.

 

[zurc]

Hello all. Thank you for the responses. I have covers for all my coils, I was actually just curious if it took away from the performance of the detecting.

 

[airscapes]

My question is how the heck do you get them off without messin up the coil.. the covers on the 9" whites spider are really tight.. you got nothin to hold on to so you can pull it off.. braking out the small screw driver is not so good..

 

[flyadive]

Hello all. Thank you for the responses. I have covers for all my coils, I was actually just curious if it took away from the performance of the detecting.

I have never ever ever worn out a coil ! (Whites only) I only had lots and lots of trouble with the fine particles of grit that did enter my coil making it sensitive and useless ! I recommend to never ever ever use a coil protector, if it wears out, then it was made cheeeeeeply! Sooooo forget it, hunt hard and leave the protector off! HH

 

[Terry Soloman]

Using a coil cover DOES NOT affect performance at all.

 

[cudamark]

I always use one in rocky areas but not in the water. I've never worn out a coil (or coil cover either for that matter) but it's cheap insurance and doesn't really effect performance unless mineralized debris gets between it and the coil.

 

[YumaMarc]

There's quite a variety of opinions here, and both sides have their merits. Years ago when it was the fashion to "scrub" the ground with the coil, a protector was a godsend. It didn't take the desert gravel of Arizona long to wear a hole in a good coil. Nowadays machines are more sensitive and deeper-seeking, so there is normally no reason to let the coil touch the ground. If properly used, you are not likely to ever wear out a coil so, in my opinion, a coil is not a crucial item. And I agree that some are VERY hard to remove without destroying the cover itself. I have covers on some of mine, not on others, and there appears to be zero difference in performance. As insurance against sand and grit getting inside the coil, I like to rub a little clear silicone into the edges to give a better seal. When the silicone peels or starts to look raggy it's easy to pull it off and reseal. I'm not sure if it really helps, but it's good for my peace of mind.

 

[flyadive]

Nevermind!!!!
Use a coil protector..... PLEASE!
That way there will be much left over for our grandchildren!!

 

[Sandman]

Some hunters have coated the bottom of the coils with Epoxy. I used to coat the edges with silicone till one Excal went crazy because some black sand found its way in thru a gap many years ago.

 

[sliverofsilver]

i've found no difference with or without a cover
i do prefer, although granted (a pain to remove) covers
i've seen the damage with and without, and it's expensive
without
TRUST US
HH

 

[GaryInOhio]

Coil covers are cheap...coils are not.
Whites has some of the least expensive coil covers out there and I have to give them kudos on that.
Coils covers, after all, are about the simplest piece of vacuum formed or injection molded plastic you could make.
I don't know how other manufacturers can justify charging $20 and up.
Whites covers are between $6-15.
Plus when you go to sell a coil it will get a much higher price if it looks pristine.

 

[zurc]

Both my Garretts came with coil covers and to buy new, they are only $11... The price or even taking them off / on aren't so much the issue, at all. Was just curious if it effected the performance. I have only used each of my detectors a half dozen times now and I haven't ran into the issue of taking them off for cleaning at all. Actually its quite easy. Just rincse and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

 

[sliverofsilver]

My question is how the heck do you get them off without messin up the coil.. the covers on the 9" whites spider are really tight.. you got nothin to hold on to so you can pull it off.. braking out the small screw driver is not so good..

i use a very small, thin flat bar and work it around
it dont have to come off to often,depending on how long or what you had it in

 

[flyadive]

Nevermind

 

[cudamark]

There's quite a variety of opinions here, and both sides have their merits. Years ago when it was the fashion to "scrub" the ground with the coil, a protector was a godsend. It didn't take the desert gravel of Arizona long to wear a hole in a good coil. Nowadays machines are more sensitive and deeper-seeking, so there is normally no reason to let the coil touch the ground. If properly used, you are not likely to ever wear out a coil so, in my opinion, a coil is not a crucial item. And I agree that some are VERY hard to remove without destroying the cover itself. I have covers on some of mine, not on others, and there appears to be zero difference in performance. As insurance against sand and grit getting inside the coil, I like to rub a little clear silicone into the edges to give a better seal. When the silicone peels or starts to look raggy it's easy to pull it off and reseal. I'm not sure if it really helps, but it's good for my peace of mind.

If sealing them were fool proof, I'd agree that it's a good idea. Problem is, one tiny little split in the sealer or cover and you would be amazed how much stuff can get inside. Then you have a REAL mess on your hands trying to remove the old sealer. Better just to remove and clean. If it's stubborn to get off, a thin putty knife works pretty good. Just be easy with it and work it around to several spots to break it loose without damaging the cover.

 

[luvsdux]

This subject comes up from time to time. While covers do add a little extra weight and may need to have debris cleaned out occasionally, they are trasparent to the coil's signal and therefore don't have a negative influence on the detecting ability. My take is if you like'm use'm. I personally use them for all the reason listed by those above me on this thread. Those that don't care for them certainly can go without - it's their choice.
luvsdux

 

[Diggin-N-Dumps]

Its worth teh 12-15 bucks....first day I got my 5x8 for my ATP, i hit a damn rock and chipped a piece off...So the way I hunt...a Cover is MUCH NEEDED