Coil Covers - Should you use them?

Dan Hughes · Mar 17, 2011

Does the fact that you have to buy a coil cover separately for your metal detector indicate that the manufacturers think you don't really need one?

Or are they hoping you'll wear a hole in your coil and have to buy a new coil from them?

In this show, I discuss some reasons you should use a coil cover, and some reasons you may not want to use one after all.

Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

---Dan Hughes, http://treasuremanual.com

Frankn · Mar 17, 2011

The fact of the matter is that an intelligent user of an expensive electronic piece of equipment does not drag it on the ground or beat it against rocks. Does that answer your question?
Sorry Dan, This is one of my blunt answer days. FRANK

LukeTHr · Mar 17, 2011

I think they are worth the money. just like insurance, just in case. besides, they are cheap

Frankn · Mar 17, 2011

Luke, that's like saying you buy insurance for your car because you like to run into things.
Wouldn't it be easier on your detector to hold the coil 1" above the ground?
Two things kill detectors, heat and vibration, and dragging that coil causes a lot of vibration.

JDS · Mar 17, 2011

I have seen coils in the desert worn through to the wiring, they still work. If you have an open coil and work in an area with sand or loose soil it can fill up with debris and add weight to your swing. A coil cover will protect your coil from scratches thus maintaining any resale value, but if you are concerned about a change in performance don't. :read2:

Treasure_Hunter · Mar 17, 2011

I don't use one at the beach, on land if you hunt area with rocks I would suggest one...You can also spray the coil with apoxy, spray on truck bed liner, or Plasti-dip. (Same thing you dip tools in to give them the rubber handles)......The good thing about plasti-dip is it can be removed if needed, bed liner can't really be done easily, and epoxy want come off............

liftloop · Mar 17, 2011

Frankn said:
Luke, that's like saying you buy insurance for your car because you like to run into things.
Wouldn't it be easier on your detector to hold the coil 1" above the ground?
Two things kill detectors, heat and vibration, and dragging that coil causes a lot of vibration.(no that one inch less penetration your missing all the good stuff)

deepskyal · Mar 17, 2011

Never used a coil cover....bang those things off rocks, scrub the ground...never broke a coil or a detector.
Been detecting since the 80's and do consider myself an intelligent person.

We never had coil covers so there wasn't an option. Think it's just something manufacturers are hawking for the ones that think a scratch will ruin there machine. I don't worry about aesthetics...just what I can find.

Al

liftloop · Mar 17, 2011

deepskyal your detector probably has one you just didn't notice especially a stock detector I bought a 8by14 dd for my mxt and the coil cover was not in clouded and wouldn't you no it I crack that 199.99 coil you think White's would of gave you one at that price. i found out it was cracked when i was out after a rain storm it took a bout 6 months to dry out.so i 5 minute epoxy it, it turn yellow and pealed off i could of cried I was wondering why it was acting up. it was falsing like an atpro out of the box. I believe 100% on coil covers you should take them off and clean out the sand once in a why all.coil cover are a must and if any buddy says different they'll find out the hard way.I wish my 15 inch blue maximum had one I asked white's they don't make one for that coil and all ready it's getting beat up and that coil is not cheap either. be smart use a coil cover.un less your J.D rocker feller and money is no object to you.

Treasure_Hunter · Mar 17, 2011

deepskyal said:
Never used a coil cover....bang those things off rocks, scrub the ground...never broke a coil or a detector.
Been detecting since the 80's and do consider myself an intelligent person.

We never had coil covers so there wasn't an option. Think it's just something manufacturers are hawking for the ones that think a scratch will ruin there machine. I don't worry about aesthetics...just what I can find.

Al

Coil cover also makes a difference when you go to resell it. If I am buying a used detector, I pay attention to the coil's condition and I am less likely to buy a used detector where the coil shows heavy wear......

Frankn · Mar 17, 2011

Liftloop, I have been using Whites detectors since the 70's without covers and never damaged a coil. From what you said, you have to learn how to swing a coil!

For the comment, " if you hold it up 1" you miss all the good stuff", I would reply, Get a better detector.
On my last trip out before the freeze set in, I found a $3k ruby ring and it was only 4" deep !
Frank.

Treasure_Hunter · Mar 18, 2011

Coil covers are like flood insurance, it's cheap and you may never need it, but you want really know you needed it till it is too late. They sure come in handy when you do.

Frankn · Mar 18, 2011

Treasure_hunter, did you read my post? Hunting since the '70s, never lost a coil. Doesn't sound like I need insurance. Plus the fact that covers are a pain in the ass. They trap moisture and grit causing falseing and they add extra weight and on the Whites they cover that nice hole in the center of the coil that bullseyes the target. Like life insurance, YOU will never collect on it !

Treasure_Hunter · Mar 18, 2011

Frankn said:
Treasure_hunter, did you read my post? Hunting since the '70s, never lost a coil. Doesn't sound like I need insurance. Plus the fact that covers are a pain in the ass. They trap moisture and grit causing falseing and they add extra weight and on the Whites they cover that nice hole in the center of the coil that bullseyes the target. Like life insurance, YOU will never collect on it !

Yes sir I read it....You haven't crack one, but how many other people have cracked one who didn't have a cover on..... I cracked one of my WOTs when it slid down off my truck and hit the congrete with the coil, had no coil cover on it, cover may have protected it from cracking then or may not have, no way of knowing...... Point is, you want know you need it till it is too late if something happens and your not using one, it is too late after the fact, just like flood insurance........ I use one when I hunt land, but don't when I hunt water, when I hunt land I clean the coil before I start the hunt., I never get enough dirt in it while hunting land to matter.....

In the end it is each hunters choice, there are advantages to it and disadvantages to it each hunter decides.....

Life insurance isn't for the person it is on, it is for their survivors, my life insurance is for my wife and kids............

Now flood insurance is for you, and just because it has never flooded in someone's lifetime, doesn't mean it want...... Check out the 500 year flood plains.... I had friends in Missouri who lost everything in the floods of 1993 which were at levels not seen in 500 years, they bought no flood insurance because it never flooded....till then....

Minrelica · Mar 18, 2011

That ring is HUGE Frankn.

I bet I could have found it without even using a detector. :tongue3:

Silver Searcher · Mar 18, 2011

Frankn said:
Luke, that's like saying you buy insurance for your car because you like to run into things.
Wouldn't it be easier on your detector to hold the coil 1" above the ground?
Two things kill detectors, heat and vibration, and dragging that coil causes a lot of vibration.

That's one inch of depth lost :icon_scratch:

I scrape mine across the ground all the time, and just replace the cover when it wears out :thumbsup:

SS

trainer · Mar 18, 2011

When I buy I look for condition condition condition keep it on it will bring you the most money just learn to clean it once in a while

Rockin Chairs Gold · Mar 19, 2011

Coil Covers = Cheap Insurance.

Rick :coffee2:

Treasure_Hunter · Mar 19, 2011

trainer said:
When I buy I look for condition condition condition keep it on it will bring you the most money just learn to clean it once in a while

Same here, I have bought at least 8 used detectors and the the condition of the coil is always one of the msajor factor on if I buy or not... I want buy if the coil shows a lot of wear and tear.....

liftloop · Mar 19, 2011

deepskyal said:
Never used a coil cover....bang those things off rocks, scrub the ground...never broke a coil or a detector.
Been detecting since the 80's and do consider myself an intelligent person.

We never had coil covers so there wasn't an option. Think it's just something manufacturers are hawking for the ones that think a scratch will ruin there machine. I don't worry about aesthetics...just what I can find.

Al

So do you take them off if you buy a detector that has one.