Anything close to a Minelab Sovereign Elite?

[GreggWestCoast]

I posted this on the beach forum but I also want to ask you guys:

I have a Minelab Sovereign Elite and I LOVE this detector. However I have shoulder impingement syndrome and it is hard to swing. My arms are getting better but I would love a lighter detector. I put the control box in a backpack but the 10" coil and arm are still heavy on this machine. If I can't find another as good on the beach.... I will probably just keep it. With all of these new detectors out, is there anything close to the Sovereign? I also would rather be able to ID targets. The Garrett AT Pro is looking good to me right now but I don't know how it will compare. Any advice would be much appreciated. Money is an issue to. What is the best bang for the buck?

Thank you!
Gregg

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Money is an issue,why would you pay(waste money) more money to down grade?I would consider to hip mount the Elite,or go with the 800 Tornado coil.You could sell the 10 inch to pay for the smaller coil.I had an AT Pro to flip and didn't like this unit.Very strange what kind of water unit advertises its good in ten feet of water and doesn't come stock with water proof head phones.I guess unless you pay extra for the water proof headphones the external speaker could be heard under water LOL.Took this AT Pro(Modified Ace) through my coin garden not impressed.Suggestion go to a dealer and have a hands on and ask questions.Buy used the word is out. An old CZ hip mounted as a wader would make a better choice.You probably not going to listen to my advice,you will miss the Sovereign though.Good Luck.HH Ron

 

[GreggWestCoast]

I am listening Ron. For now I decided to keep the Sovereign. I love the 10inch coil too. I just wish this thing didn't weigh so much. I didn't have anyway to mount it on my side but I did have a small backpack I put it in. That lightened things up but it still is heavy. I just cant go as long as would like to. I want the same performance but in a lighter machine. Probably won't be able to find it. I found two rings this week on the beach. One tungsten mens wedding band with three tiny diamonds and one women's wedding band white gold or silver not sure... Digging a lot of junk but I know I must. I wish it was better at notching out bottle caps... o well.... still love it because it is a ring zapper wet or dry sand. Your right, I know I would miss it.

 

[Bling]

i run a S12 coil and a 10" on my Sovereign's ..they are both heavy for me so i just run a Doc's Swingy/Thingy on them and can hunt all day! i hip mount the controll box.

 

[Neil]

I really liked the AT pro and it has some very good features like the tone ID, meter ID, waterproof, lightweight, long lasting on batteries and I gotta tell you Ive emailed Garrett with some questions and they get right back to you, I read nothing but good about their service. The At pro will also balance out to the salt sand here in NJ where I live but you would do best to find someone in your area to see if it will work there. It does not get the depth of the Sovs but it has better seperation ability. And its very light

Other detectors that might interest you would be the G2/Gold Bug Pro, they balance out the salt sand also and have metered ID, lightning fast reset and are super light weight. Also the Xterra 705(I had the Xterra 70) has the tones, metered ID, balances out to salt sand, light weight, good battery life, very well made(rugged like minelabs are).

Those are the best choices I can think of right now.

 

[dewcon4414]

Which part is giving you the trouble..... the shaft or the box? If its the shaft try a carbon fiber mod shaft or the swingy thingy like mentioned. Cant think of anything thats going to have a less heavy rod. Maybe one of the CZs. Isnt a lot out there you can remove the box like you can the Sov, Xcal, or CZ and still find the things these machines do.

Dew

 

[Critterhunter]

Are you using the old BBS 10" coil or the new Tornado 10" coil which is MUCH lighter. I built a custom shaft for my GT using lighter aluminum upper shaft and a Whites tall man carbon fiber rod for the lower shaft along with a Whites arm cup and a bike end bar for a hand grip. My GT is (from memory) about one and a half pounds lighter than a stock GT. Also used spray on bed liner on the coil and got rid of the coil cover. Now it's as light as any other detector I've ever owned like a Whites.

 

[GreggWestCoast]

Thanks Critterhunter,

I believe it is a Tornado coil but it is the one that came with it so I think it might be the older one not sure.... It is outside in my truck... will get out and look latter. If that is a picture of your detector on your post, your coil looks way different. Mine is perfectly round. Sounds like you did a good job on your detector. Were you able to order the parts or did you find used parts?

 

[Rick(ND)]

n/t

 

[JHM]

Put the control box back on the shaft and get one of Doc's swingy things. You should be fine.

 

[jmotycka]

Get a "swnigy thingy", I bought one when I had my etrac and it really helped. $32.00 - it's worth a try. I am saving to buy a Sovereign, so that's why I'm reading the posts here.

 

[ZOFCHAK]

I posted this on the beach forum but I also want to ask you guys:

I have a Minelab Sovereign Elite and I LOVE this detector. However I have shoulder impingement syndrome and it is hard to swing. My arms are getting better but I would love a lighter detector. I put the control box in a backpack but the 10" coil and arm are still heavy on this machine. If I can't find another as good on the beach.... I will probably just keep it. With all of these new detectors out, is there anything close to the Sovereign? I also would rather be able to ID targets. The Garrett AT Pro is looking good to me right now but I don't know how it will compare. Any advice would be much appreciated. Money is an issue to. What is the best bang for the buck?

Thank you!
Gregg

Are you using a straight shaft or the "S" shaft that originally came with the Elite? If you are using the "S" shaft switching over to a nicely balanced straight shaft will make a gigantic difference.

 

[GreggWestCoast]

I have the original "S" shaft. Is the new shaft lighter? Where can I get one? Thank you

 

[ZOFCHAK]

I have the original "S" shaft. Is the new shaft lighter? Where can I get one? Thank you

The new shaft isn't really any lighter, but it allows the control box to be placed further back on the rod. That balances the detector and makes it a lot more comfortable to use, especially over long periods. There are aftermarket straight shafts available on Ebay (Plugger makes some nice ones). You can also make your own straight shaft by using parts from your existing shaft, a 3 foot section 7/8" aluminum tubing and a bar end off a mountain bike for the handle.

 

[Burbank Bob]

Definitely hip or chest mount the box .. a harness works well. 8 inch coil is very light even with the S Shaft. If you want to spend money consider a lightweight straight shaft.

 

[synthnut]

Do all of the above ......Chest or hip mount the control box . get yourself and S-12 Sunray coil ( it's ligher than the stock 10 inch coil ) and get a swingy thingy setup .......This is EXACTLY what I do when I hunt .... I have the added size of the S-12 for the beach , and the swingy thingy makes it a breeze to swing for hours ....Jim

The AT Pro will ground balance in SOME wet salty beach sand but not all .....It's GREAT in dry sand , and it LOVES gold better than ANY Minelab machine except their higher end gold machine .... ( I have an E Trac , Excal , GT , XS, and an SE , so I know of what I speak ) ......It is not as deep as the Minelabs and does not ground balance as well as the Minelabs in WET salt sand ....It does GREAT in dry sand and it's fast , and ID's very well , and pinpoints even better .....It's also very light weight ....Jim