Ace 250 Mods final story

[khouse]

I have determined that the two trimmers inside the Ace is for target ID only. Not the GB or threshold I was hoping for. I put the original ones back on the board. I can tell you that there are two mods I will keep. The trigger pinpoint and wider stand mods. The trigger is momentary when pulled but locked in the forward position. This will let you search in the true all metal mode. Also when recovering your targets you can lock it forward for those signals you loose after you disturb the ground. Here are the final pictures of the mods to an allready very nice detector that Garrett produces.

 

[John-Edmonton]

Thanks for sharing that with us. I know hunting in true all metal mode like on the GTI 2500 can be a real bonus under a lot of conditions.
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[DavHut]

...whatever your name is (how come everyone is so secretive with such info?...and dont give me that gunk about 'internet security' - youre about as secure as a deck chair on the Titanic against a determined clipster.)

That really is a nice job. Too bad about the GB, although Ill wager there is a resistor, maybe even a comparator, on the board that could be made adjustable. Nevertheless, the trigger PP alone is worth the trouble. Ive always thought it was a great idea, ever since I had my first CIII.

 

[khouse]

I agree that there is some way to make the GB adjustable. I'm not smart enough to figure it out. But yes the trigger is great! I hunted today with it and it was very natural. I also detected with the trigger locked in the true all metal mode in my field. I knew it would go deep. I dug 2 small lead fishing weights and one 1/2 inch piece of copper wire at 9 inches. I know this because my pinpointer has a ruler on it. I wonder how deep the large coil would go? This would be great for relic hunting. No, it's not a Nautilus but it's a $200.00 detector!

 

[Danimal]

Can you show with a few simple pictures how the trigger mod was done (where the leads are soldered to, the p/n from Radio Shack for the swithc, etc?)

I am sure that I wouldn't be the only ACE owner forever indebted to you. I have been hunting in pinpoint for a year now!

 

[khouse]

I've been toying around the idea of selling a kit. It depends on what kind of interest I get for the kits whether I do it or not. I spent countless hours and samples to come up with the exact toggle. You can't get it at radio shack.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Great mod bud. Don't think you'd have much of a problem selling kits or doing the mod yourself. How hard would it be to mount a compression switch in the front of the grip?

Bill

 

[khouse]

Bill,
That's kinda the way the toggle works. Pull it back with your finger to pinpoint and as soon as you release it - it snaps back to off. Then if you push it forward it locks there until you pull it back. Do you just like the feel of a button? I'm sure it could be done but didn't research a button because it would only have one funtion. Either momentary or lock - not both. But I'm open to ideas. Thanks for the input.

 

[Dang]

Hmmm....am I the only one who doesn't mind where the pin point is already on the Ace 250?

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

n/t

 

[khouse]

I'm not saying the stock button is not good. But it does lack the lock on feature that can be usefull in hunting in the true all metal mode like for relic hunting. Also you can lock the trigger forward while your recovering your targets while passing your soil across the coil. Also when I use the thumb button I have to adjust my grip everytime. With the toggle my grip doesn't change. It's a personal preference.

 

[roceda]

If you are making a list of those who are interested in the pinpoint switch, add me to it.

 

[Danimal]

count me in on a kit...like right now...or yesterday lol

(actually, time may not be an issue...weatherman says that 57deg isn't normal for NE Ohio for 11/26, and it just might get cold and snow soon...go figure!

 

[khouse]

Give me some time to think about the kit. It's not like a bolt on mod. I don't want to mislead anyone in thinking it is easy. I have done mods to other detectors and it wasn't hard for me because I have experience. I want to make sure my instruction manual is very clear on the process so most people with good soldering skills and tools can do it easily. Let me work on the manual and decide if the kit is the way to go. If I don't then I will just post the part numbers and list of materials for all. I wrote a manual once and it wasn't easy. Since I have had so many interested parties private and public I will move forward on the kit and see what happens. I think it goes without saying but I will say that I'm sure it would void your warranties. That may be a big pill to swallow for many? What do you think?

 

[Uncle Willy]

Probably. Where's your innovative spirit?

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah for sure it's a lot handier.

Bill

 

[Danimal]

Warranty Schwarranty....my ACE looks like it was run over by a truck, dragged through a pig pen, shot with a sandblaster and then put away wet. I highly doubt Garrett would warranty anything that fails on my unit once they got a look at it!..

(besides, like I said, I spend a LOT of time hunting in pinpoint, and that board-mounted pinpoint switch can't last too much longer, being mashed for hours on end like it is)