MXT questions: Hip mount, coil for prospecting.

[UncleVinnys]

Wow, I am really enthused about the new MXT.

It is fantastic for coin hunting, and I just started checking out
the prospecting function.

Questions:

1. I bought the 6-inch DD coil, which is small and very light.
The machine now is unbalanced - with the control box being
much heavier than the little coil. So is there a way to get a hip
mount for it? Looks like the upper shaft will come off, but the
control box seems riveted to the shaft, so what then?
Do I need to get a new shaft for the upper portion that would
just be a handle or what?

2. I have the 950 coil that came with the machine and the little DD.
What is best for nugget hunting - - maybe yet a third coil??
The places around here for nugget hunting are either sandy
river bars or feet-deep fields of river rock - very hard to "dig",
so which coil would work on the piles of rock - a bigger one?

[Tin Nugget]

This is the only one I have seen. Scroll down to Trans Bay Detectors
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?25,...491#msg-669491

[Hemisteve]

Hi Vinny,
Just found this post so ignore the comment about the coils in the placerville thread.
I would search those gravel beds in the pic with the 4x6 DD. Much easier to get the deepest returns by being able to get around the larger rocks and the smaller coil will let you keep it close to the ground. For every inch you are above the ground thats an inch of depth you lose.

I,ve heard of someone hip mounting a MXT but it took some wiring to do it(Extending the wiring from the control box to the VDI) and would probably void your warranty.
I hip mount my GM/Vsat and it is a great way to reduce weight and not have to worry about water when hunting in lakes and streams.

HH
Steve

[UncleVinnys]

Well, there's three sections to the shaft . . . I could just take off the top
section and hip mount that, then find a new section with just a handle
for the top. Right - I wouldn't cut any wires or anything.
I THINK all the sections are standard diameter, so they should fit.

Yep, got the 4x6 DD coil. The dealer recommended it too.

[fllawboy]

It is my chest mount pictured in the findmall thread link that was posted. It is a well balanced system that was a limited run. I do not think there are any left but you could try Transbay Metal Detectors. If you do make your own hipmount system, one word of warning you will need a patch cord to increase the length of the coil cord. The standard coils do not come with a long enough cord for a hip or chest mount. I would recommend the chest mount over the hip mount as you are less likely to knock any of the toggle switches or knobs while digging. If you do make the modification, make sure you get something to waterproof the connection between the patch cord and the coil cord.

[Hemisteve]

To add to Flawboys suggestion,
I would recommend the plastic coating you can buy to dip your tools in. I think Ace has it, and is a small can to dip your tools in similar to the coating on your pliers. Connect the cables tightly and use a piece of wood to apply over the connection. Easy to remove if your needs change.

Post some gold that you find!
Steve