Do you care about battery drain?

[Olegrumpy]

Hi !

Just asking, because I do.

I am tempted by the new F 44 from Fisher, as it runs on 2xAA and affers a bunch of specs I can use everyday, and I know there are other good examples of low battery drain detectors (F75/F70, Garrett AT and ACES, etc.)

I presently own two detectors offering a very low battery drain (and outstanding performances) : my trusty 1212-x (35hours with a 9v battery) and my Clasic III SL, a little over 75 hours with one set of 8 AA batteries.

Other detectors offer around 20 hours on one 9v. In my case, the Eurotek pro and the Golden µMAX.

I tryed rechargeables (NiMh), but never was satisfied with their performance.

While using these last two ones, when I feel the digging job will be tough, I cut the power until I recover the target. (another huge benefit of using pinpointers !). This extends battery life from 5 to 15 %, broad guesstimate.

Do you fellow hunters have other personal tips and tricks to make batteries last longer?

I would be curious to know.

Cheers and HH

Grumpy

 

[Loco-Digger]

Grumpy I do not worry about battery drain. I get my batteries in bulk at a certain store. 10 9V for $10 and 48 AAs for $12. Last season when I was bout 30 miles from home detecting when my batteries in the F4 died. I was out of spare batteries in the van and was forced to go to the local hardware store to purchase two 9V batteries so I could continue the hunt. Had to pay a little over $9 for a pair of fresh batteries. PM me and I will tell you where I got the good battery deals.

I am swinging the F75LTD SE now and get about 40 hours on 4 AAs. SO I have enough batteries on hand to hunt for 1920 hours. I only hunt about 500 hours a year, so I am set for almost 4 years of hunting.

I just looked online and you can get a 100 pack of these AA batteries for 22.97. They now sell the 9V batteries $9.97 for an 8 pack.

 

[pepperj]

I use the rechargeable packs the came with the Minelabs, the machines are power suckers compared to your examples of the low battery drain units mentioned. I figure that the savings from using the rechargeable power packs over replacing the batteries have saved me a tidy sum of $$$ over the years. The rechargeable do loose strength over time but after 6 years I can still get 12+hrs out of a single charge.

 

[Boatlode]

 

[bigfoot1]

using headphones extends service life of batts on any machine.I just dont like headphones

 

[CincinnatiKid]

I primarily use an ETRac. And it sucks juice fast.
Not impressed with the stock rechargeables at all.
Quality, fresh batteries are an expense I'll gladly pay. Nothing worse than being miles from vehicle when batts quit.
I prefer Energizers.
Peace ✌

 

[Boatlode]

Quality, fresh batteries are an expense I'll gladly pay.
I prefer Energizers.

I used to use Energizers, until I discovered that Radioshack batteries last longer. And they're less expensive.

 

[G.I.B.]

I use the rechargeable batteries, they (good ones) last as long, if not a bit longer, then the standard commercial brands.

The Duracell and Energizer AA rechargeable do very well.

I keep a set of AA Alkaline as the emergency standby- but generally don't have to use them.

I don't have the 9V rechargeable yet- just using standard alkaline for the pinpointer.

I'm using the Rapoo wireless headset- dumped the cord- really really like them. Very lightweight and the charge lasts as long as I do.

 

[MrMikeJackie]

$17.97
Rayovac Alkaline AA Battery (60 per Pack)
Beat ya
Rayovac, Alkaline AA Battery (60 per Pack), 815-60PPF at The Home Depot - Tablet

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Hello Everyone,

I use the RnB ML-3100 for Minelab machines and the RnB-3100 for Whites. Both batteries will last for 24+ hours before needing a recharge. After using the machine for 8 - 10 hours the battery charge indicator remains at the full position, they are a bit pricey at $139.00 dollars. For Garrett products I use Energizer AA-24/pk from Lowes around $ 12.00 dollars and replace when two bars remain. I do hope, in the future, RnB products make a Garrett battery pack for the AT Pro series of detectors.

Regards,

 

[Codheads51]

Hi i have a treasure baron it has a 9 volt battery in I only get about 6 hours I all ways carry another with me, I was looking at your profil and noticed that youhave the millioner does it have the pro hunter and deep hunter in it, I am in search of these modules, I am from the UK , do you want to sell, I have a sister who lives in Florida.....so if you want to sell it could be sent there. I,m just talking hypertheticaly......please let me know then I can continue with my search....thankyou...les

 

[Olegrumpy]

Thanks for those intersting answers & tips.

here, at the other side of the pond, the best I can find are regular 9v alkalines in a blister of two pièces for about $ 2.5. Same price for the 8xAA pack, both lasting around what the manufacturers indicates in their specs sheets.

I quit rechargeable packs from Minelab, they failed on regular basis an I got tired of it ! When I use them Minelabs, I use alkaline batteries too.

Codhead, I'm just over The Channel. But my Baron is the Cointrax II, it's the non modulable version, it has I think all the modules except wet sand.

I just put it for sale through my dealer, as I did not use it much, and did not find any second hand coils for it.

HH

Grumpy

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Not an issue for me at all , given that I usually never get to hunt more than 3 and a half hours.

 

[Higgy]

Do you care about battery drain?

No.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

No. I get over 60 hours on four AA batteries with my F-75.

I get one of the big "party packs" of batteries around Christmas time when they have them on sale at various stores.

 

[basque-man]

Hello Everyone,

I use the RnB ML-3100 for Minelab machines and the RnB-3100 for Whites. Both batteries will last for 24+ hours before needing a recharge. After using the machine for 8 - 10 hours the battery charge indicator remains at the full position, they are a bit pricey at $139.00 dollars. For Garrett products I use Energizer AA-24/pk from Lowes around $ 12.00 dollars and replace when two bars remain. I do hope, in the future, RnB products make a Garrett battery pack for the AT Pro series of detectors.

Regards,

Totally agree!! I love the 3100. It will last me a good four trips out at 10 hours a day. Plus, I can charge it in the field which only takes a couple hours. This thing has made a huge difference in target acquisition as well. It's kicking out a little more juice when fully charged. I have noticed though at about 50%, she go's down fairly quick. Waiting for it to be available in AT Pro as well.