Forearm / Elbow issue

[Iron Patch]

Keeping in mind for over 15 years I swing an Explorer that was a beast to swing... having an after market heavy metal arm cuff, and for a lot of those years a Sunray probe fastened to the upper shaft, and I could do any length of hunt without any type of problem. So getting out of the way that this has nothing to do with weight, does anyone else have a lot of discomfort in the position the arm cuff and strap puts your arm in? I have never used a strap on a detector until the Equinox and it feels like it's locking me into a position that's foreign to me. It actually left me sore enough that without question I'll be buying a heat gun to close the cuff and then adding some padding to make it a tighter fit. Seems funny such a light detector could have such a bad effect, bad enough that if there was no resolution I'd be selling it today. There's no chance it will be replacing my Deus, but I will have to correct this at some point because I don't want to do even another hour as is.

 

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[dirtlooter]

has the deus spoiled you? it has me and I got very used to the lack of weight. I am older with various health issues and so my muscle memory lacks a lot these days. I don't like using a strap either and my arm does flop around quite a bit unless I mentally force myself to tighten everything up in my grip etc. But then I catch myself creeping up higher on the grip to the unit. I have considered exactly what you are thinking, just don't have the access to anything right now as we are packed up and ready to move. sometimes little things make a world of a difference like moving the cuff to a better spot for you plus padding etc. sure hope it gets worked out for you. When asked if I am allergic to anything, I tell them pain now LOL. I have a very high pain tolerance but after a while, it does get very old.

 

[stupot]

Totally agree.. when I first got the machine, had exactly the same problem. As it stands at the moment I have moved the grip up by 1.5 inches, shortened the stem considerably and added a 4 oz sinker to the inside of the shaft end above the elbow. Also crucial was the positioning of the arm rest, mine is in the 4th hole down.

This does not solve, but greatly helps the problem. The term ergonomics has been missed out, the centre of gravity is way off. Coil pulls down remarkably heavily. The answer is an s shaft in centre section, but those available are under diameter requiring more solutions, then the lower shaft of my 800 is obviously over diameter. It appears not to bother some users, but I am darn well bothered like yourself....

But after all that, I love the machine, it's great.

 

[Hal2k]

So far I had no problems with the Nox weight or the arm cuff, I guess I should consider my self lucky at my age to not have any problems I'm 71 and hunted 6 hours on Saturday and 3 hours yesterday (Sunday) with no arm pains or pains in any part of my body. I only started using the cuff strap on the Nox I never used the strap on my Garrets.

 

[Iron Patch]

Totally agree.. when I first got the machine, had exactly the same problem. As it stands at the moment I have moved the grip up by 1.5 inches, shortened the stem considerably and added a 4 oz sinker to the inside of the shaft end above the elbow. Also crucial was the positioning of the arm rest, mine is in the 4th hole down.

This does not solve, but greatly helps the problem. The term ergonomics has been missed out, the centre of gravity is way off. Coil pulls down remarkably heavily. The answer is an s shaft in centre section, but those available are under diameter requiring more solutions, then the lower shaft of my 800 is obviously over diameter. It appears not to bother some users, but I am darn well bothered like yourself....

But after all that, I love the machine, it's great.

That's a good point, and not something I considered... that the positioned where the cuff is mounted may also be part of the problem. I'm also now question if even moving it, as well as losing the strap, will be enough for it to feel good enough for me to want to swing. I wonder if buying an Anderson shaft would be a good idea, or would just be a distinction without a difference.

 

[Iron Patch]

has the deus spoiled you? it has me and I got very used to the lack of weight. I am older with various health issues and so my muscle memory lacks a lot these days. I don't like using a strap either and my arm does flop around quite a bit unless I mentally force myself to tighten everything up in my grip etc. But then I catch myself creeping up higher on the grip to the unit. I have considered exactly what you are thinking, just don't have the access to anything right now as we are packed up and ready to move. sometimes little things make a world of a difference like moving the cuff to a better spot for you plus padding etc. sure hope it gets worked out for you. When asked if I am allergic to anything, I tell them pain now LOL. I have a very high pain tolerance but after a while, it does get very old.

Yes, the Deus has spoiled me for sure, but not related to this as the weight is not the issue.

 

[Iron Patch]

So far I had no problems with the Nox weight or the arm cuff, I guess I should consider my self lucky at my age to not have any problems I'm 71 and hunted 6 hours on Saturday and 3 hours yesterday (Sunday) with no arm pains or pains in any part of my body. I only started using the cuff strap on the Nox I never used the strap on my Garrets.

Must be just one of those things where many are ok and it's just not suited for others. If it was going to be my main detector and I started swinging it a lot, I'm sure one of two things would happen... I'd either get used to it, or it would make my elbow very bad very fast. I'm not really interested in testing to make that determination, and thankfully don't have to being my back up detector. That said, it would be sort of dumb to keep a detector that doesn't agree with you. Sort of like buying a watch that's very uncomfortable on the wrist, but keeping it because you like the look. The Equinox 600 is what I wanted in a back up to my Deus, so hopefully some small changed will help.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

I've only had my 800 out one time and that was for testing. As soon as it is cooler here I'll be using it a lot, not looking at putting it in the water anytime soon.

When I tested it out I felt the weight! The reason I sold my Etrac was that it was an elbow cranker. I'll be following this thread looking for at least partial solutions.

 

[Hal2k]

Must be just one of those things where many are ok and it's just not suited for others. If it was going to be my main detector and I started swinging it a lot, I'm sure one of two things would happen... I'd either get used to it, or it would make my elbow very bad very fast. I'm not really interested in testing to make that determination, and thankfully don't have to being my back up detector. That said, it would be sort of dumb to keep a detector that doesn't agree with you. Sort of like buying a watch that's very uncomfortable on the wrist, but keeping it because you like the look. The Equinox 600 is what I wanted in a back up to my Deus, so hopefully some small changed will help.

I'm trying to think where I have my cuff mounted to the shaft, if not mistaken I have it in the center set of holes, I will look tonight when I get home to see, that could be a factor in the fatigue issue.

 

[Iron Patch]

Ok, I now believe my issue is almost certainly from the cuff being mounted too high. I just picked up my Deus and the cuff fits into my upper forearm, where as the Equinox is much higher - up at my elbow. Good to see this because it should be an easy solution providing moving it down will be low enough. Unfortunately I'll have to buy a new cuff (or shaft) as I bought this detector used and the original owner stripped the thread and drove 3 screws into the shaft permanently fastening it.

 

[RTR]

Problem solved..... At 2.5 pounds, you can swing this till the cows come home !
https://mans.io/files/viewer/666998/1

 

[Iron Patch]

Ok, I managed to get my mess of an arm cuff to the lower position. This puts it in a much better place on my forearm, and I'll now lose the strap and either heat the cuff and bend it, or build it up on the sides to fit my arm a little better. Think I should be ok now.

 

[flgliderpilot]

Ok, I managed to get my mess of an arm cuff to the lower position. This puts it in a much better place on my forearm, and I'll now lose the strap and either heat the cuff and bend it, or build it up on the sides to fit my arm a little better. Think I should be ok now.

Heating the cuff makes a huge difference. You can probably dunk it in boiling water if you don't have a heat gun. I lowered my cuff down to my forearm, and then heated it with a heat gun until my arm fit snug but not tight. I use the strap, but I keep it somewhat loose. It's only to keep the machine from slapping my arm when I swing fast.

 

[Iron Patch]

Bingo! So much better having the cuff positioned lower and it closed in. I just need some foam and it will be a perfect fit.


What I did is I used twine to tie it into the position I wanted, and then held it over the burner on the range until it started to smoke. Did that on each side, maybe 20 seconds and done.

 

[RustyGold]

Ok, I managed to get my mess of an arm cuff to the lower position. This puts it in a much better place on my forearm, and I'll now lose the strap and either heat the cuff and bend it, or build it up on the sides to fit my arm a little better. Think I should be ok now.

First thing I did was adjust the arm cuff to fit. Good luck IP.

 

[vferrari]

That was easy.

 

[gene the machine]

you can use a hair dryer if you don't have a heat gun. Works great.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Well, that was.. no it wasn't.

 

[Rookster]

Hope you can get it comfortable. I take the control off my Deus and it's like swinging a Bear switch.

 

[Ironfeathers]

Ok, I managed to get my mess of an arm cuff to the lower position. This puts it in a much better place on my forearm, and I'll now lose the strap and either heat the cuff and bend it, or build it up on the sides to fit my arm a little better. Think I should be ok now. [emoji106]

I picked up rubber knee pad at the Dollar Store and cut it to fit in the arm cuff. Makes a nice soft fit for my arm.