Sloppy Arm Rest Quick Fix

[Highwater]

Most people don't bother using the velcro wrap they put on the arm rest of their detector. It is just too difficult to take on and off each time you need to dig a target or use your arm for something. It is too slow and it gets in the way. So, without the velcro arm wrap your arm either fits the cup well and you are ok with it, or it doesn't and your arm slips around when you swing the coil. You may get used to it after a while, but it can actually slowly wear you out, trying to hang on tight enough to comensate. The metal cups aren't too big of a problem because you can bend them in and shape them good enough to tighten them up around your arm. But even then, after a few tweaks the metal may start to loose it's strength and you find yourself bending it more often to get the shape that is comfortable. With a plastic arm cup you don't have that choice. Here is a quick fix for the problem that you can use to take up the slack and get a custom fit. Go to the hardware store and get some Marine & Automotive Weatherstrip. Don't get the kind they make for around the window in your house, it is not dense enough. The marine grade is much better. It comes in several width and thickness. Cut two pieces the width of the cuff on your arm rest. (see photo below) Peel the paper off the back and stick it high up on the cuff. You can also place the weatherstrip at what ever position works best for you and you may need to use a couple pieces on each side to get a nice tight fit. Don't worry if it starts to wear out after a few months. Remember, you have a whole roll of the stuff, so you can freshen it up as often as needed. You will instantly notice a big difference the first time you swing your coil.

 

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[SC_hunter]

Great idea...Thanks for posting the fix.

 

[IndianaSmith]

Neat idea! I know I don't use the strap on my MD, but mine fits fairly well as-is. I can definately see how your idea could help.

Smitty

 

[Keppy]

Fine idea thanks a lot i will try that for i never use the strap.....==Jim==

 

[Highwater]

One thing that I forgot to mention in my first post. For the kind of detector that has the control box on top of the grip handle, you can put a piece of the weatherstip on both sides of the bottom of the control box where your hand comes in contact with the box. It makes it much more comfortable than feeling the hard case sitting on your hand. I know some people wrap tenis handle wrap on thier detector handle for a more positive grip, which works well. Anything we can do to make things more comfortable will help keep us in the field on those longer hunts.
I would also like to see someone come up with a loop support that has a tensioning device, instead of a fixed screw adjustment, so you could tweak the coil angle with your foot. It would be great for the large coils that make the nylon bolt break every time you try to tighten it enough so the coil doesn't droop or loose it's position. The loop support is a great idea if you were to just work on perfectly flat ground all the time, but I find when I go up or down a hill I am always trying to keep my coil at the best angle and a "fixed" loop support just doesn't work out for me. I need to be able to change the angle of the coil for the angle of the ground I am working. A loop support with a ratchet effect would really help. Maybe some kind of 'indent' system that had a very positive grip on the support...