Headphone Cord Issues?

[Curious The George]

I am now on my fourth headphone set in the last year. The wires break inside the insulation right where the wire enters the strain relief on the end that plugs into the detector.

I can't keep buying headphones and tossing them every 3 or 4 months because the wire breaks. I have tried repairing them. No problem soldering the tiny wires back together. I use shrink tubing to insulate the repairs on the three wires.

But then I have a weak spot in the wire and it doesn't take much of a snag and pull to break them apart again at the repair. The original insulation absorbs the strain but shrink tubing doesn't. And that spot is subject to breaking again.

What is the solution? I am looking at the Gray Ghost Headphones that have the cord that you can unplug from the headphone and replace the whole thing that way.

Does anyone have a good cure for the problem?

 

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[U.K. Brian]

I had the same problem and ended up using a angled jackplug from Maplins in the U.K. that screws together with two small screws. I do the wiring then put a blob of silicone bathroom sealer inside and screw both halves together.
The excess is forced out. Wipe off and leave overnight.
The sealer makes the jack rainproof and holds the headphone cord in place.

 

[Tin Nugget]

Just go ahead and buy a good set like the Grey Ghosts and that will solve the issue. I have been using the same Ratphones for 3 years now and never had a problem like I used to have.

 

[GibH]

Or install a jack on your favorite headphones and buy guitar patch cords.

 

[Curious The George]

Or install a jack on your favorite headphones and buy guitar patch cords.

Guitar patch cord. Now I knew someone would have ideas here. That's a good one. I can splice a jack socket on the headphone wire and then add the patch cord. Sounds like a thing worth trying.

Thanks GibH

 

[2bits]

George,
One thing I did years ago on my Koss headphones from whites, was to cut the plug off that came w/it. Went to Radio Shack and bought a gold angle plug. I rewired it and put a little bit of clear silicon around the opening where the main wire enters the plug. It has never worked loose in 15 years now.
Doc

 

[newenglander]

New here, but I swear i've heard people talking about wireless headphones.

 

[Curious The George]

New here, but I swear i've heard people talking about wireless headphones.

My concern with wireless headphones would be that I would end up with a set up that sent radio signals that mucked around with my metal detector. And with anyone near by me also.

 

[U.K. Brian]

Grey Ghost (standard configeration) seem to be the ones that fail most where the wire meets the plastic right angle plug which might be why they started to offer the version with the swappable leads.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Here. If you need a set let mew know.
I am an Authorized Dealer for Detector-Pro
I use these myself and I love em!

Gray Ghost NDT Headphones

Does this sound familiar... A month of research and you’ve just hiked two miles into the forest after pinpointing an old cellar hole on an old map. You can only afford one set of quality headphones. As you setup your detector and power on, you hear nothing! Suddenly you remember the tree branch that caught and yanked your headphone cord really hard. Luckily you packed mini-phones, but they have an 1/8" plug and you lost the adaptor! Now you’ll have to settle for using the loudspeaker to hear the deepest old coins, jewelry and relics... That is if your detector has a built-in speaker!

If this has happened to you, you already know the value of having a good backup. Our universal GRAY GHOST® NDT headphones are based on the strong features of our already famous Gray Ghost Originals. For the NDT, we have engineered a very rugged detachable cord with a high-quality connector system and we give you TWO complete cords! You can have your choice of cords with two 1/4" plugs or two 1/8" plugs... Or you can have one of each size.

 

[Curious The George]

4-H,
Can you buy additional spare cords? Or when you destroy the first two are you out of luck?

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I am using these cheapo HO900 wireless 49 Mhz headphones from Walmart $20.

But they are mono so you need a stereo to mono adapter but very nice to use.

 

[BIG61AL]

I use a pair of Bose noise reduction head phones. the cord is detaches from the head phones so if it gets snagged it just pops outand I just plug it back in. if it breaks its like 3 bucks for a replacement.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

4-H,
Can you buy additional spare cords? Or when you destroy the first two are you out of luck?

You can buy as many cords as your heart desires.
ALL headphones sooner or later get "wire fatigue" It only makes sense that if your going to buy a decent pair to go with these.

 

[WishfulThinker]

Check Radio Shack and Ask For Help!

Find a Really Good metal shell Connector with end spring strain relief, may cost a few bucks. If you can get one, a right angle connector will probably work better.
In addition, put 2 or 3 inches of heat shrink tubing over cord end to ease bending into straight connector. Tie, secure, wrap, or crimp cable mechanically into connector plug to prevent cable twisting.

 

[2bits]

What Wishfulthinker said. That type with the metal spring is what I bought at Radio shack many years ago, and with the silicon it has never failed. Was a gold plug at that!
Doc

 

[Iron Patch]

Taping the cord in place will help, but some Grey Ghosts NDTs is what you want! I have 2 sets, with 5 cords, so should be set for a very long time.