2005 MXT Upgrades Need feedback please ...Email me if desired

[Anonymous]

I have been in contact with Whites and have seen forums
asking about two improvements to the MXT. 1) No LCD display
light for low light and night time / mine shaft use.
2) No Hip/Chest mount conversion available. I am not a Pro
like many of you but I received word the Factory has none and will NOT be upgrading the MXT for these improvements
due to tooling costs etc. So I have taken it upon myself to
provide both of these to my MXT, since I have many years of Electronics experience and work in R&D it is not to hard. I have had my MXT in pieces since buying it, and have built and tested a Prototype edge light board installed IN the display pod with switched hi/low lighting and now I can see in dark mine shaft.
I will be finishing the the convertable model upgrades this week I hope,that will allow a fast conversion from 1) Display Pod with clip and box with clip to the Belt separetly. 2) The normal rod configuration 3) Chestmount with Display attached the the Box but NOT like the current GMT conversion.
I want some feed back on these and will post the photos soon as possible.
HH
Flatlander <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, let us know how it turns out. I'd be interested in knowing how the LCD light worked out. Don't forget to take plenty of pictures of the disassembly and assembly. <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">

 

[Anonymous]

.... send me an email at my address, OphirAU@msn.com. I'm interested in your conversions. HH jim

 

[Anonymous]

jeffbucknam4107@msn.com
The Edge light is a PCA board I created with LEDs
and can be connected to an internal battery pack within the POD less prefered for battery changes require opening the pod and not very quick, but it will be added during convertable hip/chest Conversion preferably to run off the main 12V battery pack this requires a new cable with additional wires and connectors hardware etc..I can say the
backlight will not only light the LCD but a completely dark room if needed, already tested and it is slick. I will have this project finished within the next two weeks I hope.
One more thing I would like to say is this convertable conversion should be good for Any handle mounted POD model
of Whites XLT, GMT, DFX etc I only need the number of wires
from the POD to the Box as I am not familiar with those yet
and they have controls on the POD unlike the MXT which are
mounted to the box only..any more info from someone one this would be greatly appreciated.. HH

 

[Anonymous]

Jeff,
There should be a place in the existing pod where you could tap into the power supply so you wouldn't need a separate battery.

 

[Anonymous]

The situation is this. The power available is limited
to 5 volts in the POD and the current draw on the regulator may exceed its limits to handle the extra current for the white LEDs etc. as I am not privy to this spec information the service center recommended tapping into the main battery
thus avoiding warranty issues. I will be using a high flex
cable with a couple extra wires in it for the Convertable Hip/Chest conversion to tap the main batteries for this though another 2 wires could be run down the handle alone for only the LCD lighting. You could mount a lithium battery pack inside the POD with four 3V PC batteries to supply 12V and enough current for many hours of use, but they would not be rechargable like the main AA's and are spendy. I am trying to get photos of my working unit to download but in complete darkness my camera has problems with autofocus, will post as soon as possible.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Jeff, Congratulations, I think you are making a greatly needed breakthru for the Mxt. I do not have the expertise myself to do any of the things you describe, but being a detector user since 1980 I can appreciate the upgrades. I hunt the beaches here in North Carolina in the Winter(19 goldd rings so far 2004)I really like hunting at night, but I also share a 180 acres of gold claims n.west of fairbanks AK so I am extremely interested in the chest/hipmount capability if possible(4+oz's of nuggets summer 2004). There are many tailing pile I could work more efficiently if the modification could be done to myMxt. Keep up the good work I am interested in buying a conversion kit from you if you decide to market this modefication(s). Thanks. hope your days are filled with silver&gold finds.

 

[Anonymous]

Personally, I would love backlighting for the display but would only need it when on a target so I would prefer a momentary contact switch for the light.
Since the index finger is used for pinpointing, maybe a push button on top to the left or right of the factory decal for the thumb? This would depend on whether you operate right or left handed. On the down side, that would crimp my style as I frequently switch from right to left handed operation. I could live with it for either hand if I had to make a decision. After all, it is only used for night hunting.
Depending on how many LEDs you are using, it could create quite a battery load. I don't think I would have to light up a room... Just enough to be able to read the display in the dark. The brighter light may be needed in the twilight hours. I don't really know.
If current draw can be kept low enough maybe constant on would not be a problem unless you are trying to hide from someone <img src="/metal/html/nono.gif" border=0 width=22 height=19 alt=":nono">
Hip/chest mount would be good too but I have not thought about that option as much. <img src="/metal/html/sad.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":sad">

 

[Anonymous]

I do most beach hunting at night, much cooler, less distraction and quieter. I for one agree that the MXT needs a back-lighting, and a hip mount configuration would be nice also. I have made an external unit. This seems to work O.K but I like your idea on the edge light board as this would prevent a glare from reflecting off the display.