HIP MOUNTING EXCAL-1000

[guzz1]

After swinging my excal for 3 hours on sunday my arm felt like it was going to fall off. I have decided to hip mount the controls to lighten the load on my arm , Anyone using this configuration?. Any feedback pros a cons would be helpful.THANKS GUZZ1

 

[Sandman]

I never liked the hip mount rig and instead hang the controls from my neck. Get a Alum tube to fit between the ears of the control and battery and drill holes where needed and make sure the tube extends about an inch above the controls. Drill a hole at the top for attaching a camera strap. Bolt the controls and battery pod with the coil wire going down. I run the wire along the left side of the shaft up to the handle. There is plenty of wire this way. Use a bungee cord to fasten the shaft to your belt or up to the camera strap.

Some hunters perfer the Straight shaft with the controls under your elbow. Trouble with this is the weight is still on your arm and you must use an arm cuff and slide your hand in and out to retrieve some goodie from the scoop every time.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I am like Sandman, I hang mine from my neck, I also did not like the hipmount.

Are you using the straight shaft? If not get one it really helps.

Are you using a chest harness? It also really helps, it supports most of the weight of the coil and rod and it also allows you to let go of it in the surf and not lose it. It allows you to reach deeper in the troughs as well.

 

[guzz1]

THANKS Guys, I tried the hip mount this morning . I swung for about 4 hours with no problem.I bought a straight shaft extension from Anderson I will give that a try as well. Thanks for your input .. guzz1

 

[gravediggermax-vabeachva]

guzz

for many years many of us here in va veach belt mounted ours
many say this is a bad rig, but we added safety to keep from pulling coil wire loose - as far as i no, no one has had any problems.

last year i got a new excal. and decided to chest mount mine, since my shoulder was giving me a fit and i could not reach behind my back and turn it on or off or from pin to descrin.

i kinda like the chest mount rig now

just for your info.
max

 

[gravediggermax-vabeachva]

more

 

[TD]

Max,

As it is often said, "A picture is worth a 1000 words", thanks for posting the pictures. Being an O.F. I really think the neck mount would be best for me as well. This is a great board, I have learned so much.

..Tony

 

[borninok]

After being initiated into the sore arm club, I decided to try the hip mount. Like Max, one of the problems I encountered right off was that my arm and hand couldn't control the knobs very well. Sandman had told me about his chest mount, so I will probably try that next. I do intend to ask Santa for the Florida Straight Shaft as an alternative method. Of course, Mrs. Claus has already pointed out to me...very astutely...."You'd think the Minelab guys would have listened and changed the weight distribution situation by now." Wonder if the new Excalibur will take this into account?
--Mel

borninok

 

[guzz1]

Thanks all for the info . I did go out today hip mounted , 4 hours . I can tell I'm not half as sore as I was using it the conventional way mounted on the factory shaft , it was way to bottom heavy . The chestmount seems even better ,I'll give that a go as well.. Thanks Again guzz1

 

[Sandman]

Great pictures Max. My chest mount hangs straight down with the wires on the bottom instead of sideways. I am going to have to get son to take a pic of mounting.

 

[lowtones]

I would stay away from a hip mount. Go with a straight shaft. The straight shaft will balance your detector in the water it is very comfortable. Then if you want to hit the wet sand it is still very light on your arm. To me its the only way to go
HH
LT

 

[guzz1]

HEY LOWTONES , IM gonna try straight shaft today , if it comes . I ordered one from Anderson on ebay
last week.Actually its an extension that attaches to the stock shaft. Will give it a try... Thanks for your help
guzz1

 

[NeilinFR]

Max, on your chestmount for the Excal

where do you get that sort of rig as its not draped around your neck but over your shoulders. That looks like a great idea. I occasionally hang my GT around my neck with the hipmount bag but only for a short hunt when I wade and having the controls in the front is a great idea. Is that some sort store bought chest harness?

I have an Excal coming so this is something Id like to get.

Thanks,
Neil

 

[rdi]

Hip mounting the Excal is not really practical for most people because of the length of the unit,the small of the back works well if you don't mind reaching behind you to use the controls,best solution in my opinion is to hang it from your neck or if you are old and fat with a bad neck use a harness ......I attach my water bottle on the harness in the small of my back....also tether my scoop to the harness belt and it drags behind me....can hunt for hours with no ill effects to this old body....I like the straight shaft too...

 

[guzz1]

HEY RdI I like that set up , did you buy it or fabricate it I ordered a straight shaft extension from Anderson but it hasn't shown up yet . its been over a week now . still waiting Guzz 1

 

[rdi]

guzz1 ....I designed it , cut the parts out and the wife sewed it up.... started out as hip mount belt...but was turned into a harness after seeing hip mount wasn't for me.....like Sandman and others I used pvc pipe to hook battery to excal...then made a padded pouch to hold and protect the excal...which I velcro'd my goody bag to..after seeing Max pic's, I will soon have places to store a head lamp,GPS and cell phone..
Guzz1 believe you will love your straight shaft Rdi

 

[guzz1]

Thanks for the info rdi guzz1

 

[ronald99]

I went to Sears and purchased a 2 inch wide work belt, it is light and strong and drilled hole's to mount my Excalibur on it.

The hip belt that comes with the unit sags and is a joke, The 2 " belt is sturdy and i also have a hammer holder on it that i attach my sand scoop to with a water proof rope

I'm able to swing my detector alot more with the straight shaft and my arm's never tire out,I also purchased the shoulder strap that has a bungee cord attached to the shaft that supports my Excalibur while I'm digging targets in or out of water.

I also made a floating sifter plastic pan that i empty my scoop in while I'm searching, i keep it attached to the hammer holder.

Hope some of these suggestions help a few of you, IM disabled with a neck injury and I'm able to detect longer with the unit waist mounted