Anyone use a regular detector with hip mount for shallow water hunting?

[bigtim1973]

I was wondering if anyone uses a detector that is not a water proof unit but, with a hip mount or belt mount. If so which machine do you guys use and what type of set up do you have? I have just purchased a used muketeer xs and I also have bought a hip mount type of bag for it also. I know this is not water proof but, I will be wearing it around my neck or shoulder. I will not be looking in water over 3 foot or so in fresh water streams and creeks in my area. Have never done this and kind of looking for ideas, Thanks Tim

 

[DaChief]

Hey Tim,

I am moving your way in January. What part of Mid Tn are you in?

You can use the Musketeer as you have stated with no problems as long as you keep the box dry. It will work fine in fresh water with no issues. You could also go a little farther to protect it by encasing it in a large rectangular tupperware type container. You would have to cut two holes through the side of the container for your earphones and coil cable. You can putty the holes or there are some waterproof rubber washers that you can fit into the holes and pull the cables through. It won't be submersible that way but it will be protected completely from splashes, rain, etc. I am not a pro at that type of modification. You find some high dollar conversions that are completely waterproof on some other posts way back in Beach/Shallow Water. Or you can do the tupperware thing for a few bucks and be more assured that water won't get in your box if you are splashed, etc.

Check with Treasure Hunter on this forum. He has a converted Sovereign which is a high dollar conversion but very nice. He can tell you more about that set up. Here is a link to the thread where his is shown and there is another or two. You can see that these are a little over my head but well done.
I took the liberty of using one of his photos to show you here but go to the thread and you will see more pics plus some discussion on the topic.

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,179885.0.html

Here is also a pic of a cheaper tupperware type protection with an Ace 250.

Good Luck.

DaChief

 

[Sandman]

I used to use my Fisher CZ6-a hanging from my neck once in awhile when I wanted something a little hotter than my 1280. You should place a plastic bag over it so your wet hands don't drip on the controls. I ran the cable straight down one side of the shaft to cut water resistance and give me more lenght. The CZ6-a is the land version of the CZ20 and CZ21. I soon bought a CZ20 because I wanted to get out deeper and knew it was only a matter of time till I fell down.

Good Luck,
Sandman

 

[bigtim1973]

Hey Tim,

I am moving your way in January. What part of Mid Tn are you in?

You can use the Musketeer as you have stated with no problems as long as you keep the box dry. It will work fine in fresh water with no issues. You could also go a little farther to protect it by encasing it in a large rectangular tupperware type container. You would have to cut two holes through the side of the container for your earphones and coil cable. You can putty the holes or there are some waterproof rubber washers that you can fit into the holes and pull the cables through. It won't be submersible that way but it will be protected completely from splashes, rain, etc. I am not a pro at that type of modification. You find some high dollar conversions that are completely waterproof on some other posts way back in Beach/Shallow Water. Or you can do the tupperware thing for a few bucks and be more assured that water won't get in your box if you are splashed, etc.

Check with Treasure Hunter on this forum. He has a converted Sovereign which is a high dollar conversion but very nice. He can tell you more about that set up. Here is a link to the thread where his is shown and there is another or two. You can see that these are a little over my head but well done.
I took the liberty of using one of his photos to show you here but go to the thread and you will see more pics plus some discussion on the topic.

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,179885.0.html

Here is also a pic of a cheaper tupperware type protection with an Ace 250.

Good Luck.

DaChief

Hey DaChief, I live in Dickson, which is outside of Nashville about 40 miles west off of I-40. I tell you it is pretty here where I am and has alot of history. Where are you going to be moving to? You relocating because of a job? Just curious. I moved here originally thinking I was a good enough guitar player to tackle Nashville...........Boy was I in for a surprise.......You have to know a few folks to do that here in this neck of the woods!! I gave up playing out with bands and all and just get along with regular life now (and go detecting every chance I get!!)

Well I must say, those are really some very nice modifications!! I might be able to do something with a little patience, some duct tape, and plastic trash bags!!!!------- LOL!! just kidding!! no but it kind of does give insight on what can be done with conversions and all. I may try what Sandman has suggested with the unit wrapped in a plastic bag, that is a great idea and if I like water hunting engough I might conver it more with the container method. I have ordered the hip mount bag already and will wait until spring to get out with that rig. I have never looked around swimming holes before and I have read quite a few articles about what people have found. I think I might try it out next season when spring arrives.

 

[JoeSWFla]

Hi Tim,I agree on at least a plastic bag on the detector.You can lay it in a zip lock bag,mark the
cable connector location,nip it with scissors,then strectch it over the connector and screw on the
cable connector till it tightens on the plastic bag.Then run the headphone wire out the top,zip
it closed up to the wire,and use a piece of duct tape folded over on itself to seal the bag and
wire were it exits.Should seal it well enough for splashing .Not for dunking,but might take
and quick hit without any major water intrusion.Better that it's freshwater than salt.Good luck
and have fun.HH Joe

 

[FLauthor]

In the days before underwater metal detecting. I had a Garrett ADS metal detector that I bought new in 1979. I built a floating sifting box and built a compartment with a lid on it. I mounted the Garrett wrapped in plastic to the lid. I purchased a 9 foot coax cable with a 4 inch coil. the detector had a large enough speaker so headphones weren't necessary. I mounted the coil with its isolator rod on a section of 3/4 inch EMT tubing and hunted lakes and saltwater Gulf beaches up to chest high water. My long handled scoop usually found the target on the first scoop. I used that arrangement for about 4 years when I upgraded to a Fisher 1280X Aquanaut. Today, I use a Excalibur but retain a Garrett AT-3 detector I fou8nd on eBay for $150. as my back up or for a girl friend to use.
Today with such a vast choice of water detector available, why bother with the nuisance of using a land machine unless you only plan to shallow water hunt. Too bad no one makes a water detector with the TR frequency anymore, they didn't give much depth but they were always stable.

 

[Sandman]

I would buy a TR detector in a New York minute. Seems like all metal on these newer motion detectors don't quite measure up to the TR non motion detectors.

 

[scubatreasure]

wow, i remember the days before affordable underwater detectors...i used a truck tire tube with a bucket in it to work outa, had a old whites i think or a no name detector i picked up from the back of a magazine....all i know was that they said the coil was water proof and i put them to the test....kept the unit in a bag that my scuba fins came in all duck taped up ....used the end of a large fiberglass fishing pole attached to the coil for searching...had a mushroom anchor attached to the truck tube after almost loosing the whole set up one day to the current....aaaaahhhhh
the good old days