ldhrelics
Active member
I recently purchased an XP Deus with the WS4 Backphones but due to severe hearing loss in one ear, I knew I wouldn't be happy with them. I have used Black Widow Headphones for years with all my other detectors, so I set out to convert them to work with the Deus. I won't go into all the details, but suffice it to say they appear to work perfectly.
The plan was to attach the Electronic Control from the WS4 Backphones to the Control Side of the Black Widow Headphones and to make the headphone cable removable so I could still use the Black Widows with my other detectors.
Parts:
(Qty 1) - 3 Pin Miniature Microphone Connector (Male/Female Pair) (VUPN8217.
(Qty 3) - #6-32 x 1/2" Stainless Pan Head Machine Screws
(Qty 3) - #6-32 Stainless Nylon Insert Locknuts.
(Qty 3) - Rubber standoffs made from tubing that would go over the screws.
All the parts from the adapter side of the WS4 Backphones with the exception of the speaker.
Wire, solder, hot glue and sealant as required.
I removed the adapter side of the Backphones (which destroyed them) but you can buy a replacement Backstrap for around $20. I removed the speaker by cutting the wires and used the outside ring to mount to the side of the Black Widows. I drilled (3) 1/8" holes equally spaced in the ring and after figuring how to mount them to keep the control unit in the proper position, I drilled corresponding holes in the side of the headphones. I also drilled a 1/8" hole for the two wires that will come from the adapter.
I cut two wires about 6" long and soldered them to the two terminals in the adapter. I ran the wires through the hole and into the headphones. I then soldered wires to the same places the existing red and white wires connected to inside the Black Widows. I used hot glue to make sure the wires stay attached to the adapter and I used silicone sealant to fill the hole. Use the screws and nuts to attach the ring to the headphones. I used the rubber standoffs between the ring and the headphones for added support. The adapter attaches to this ring with three posts and hopefully will be all that's needed. I tested the XP Deus, and the new Wireless Black Widow Headphones worked great.
Next, I cut the headphone cable just inside the headphones, and removed the strain relief and existing cable; this was not an easy task. I had to resort to using a dremel tool to cut away at it until I could get it out. I then had to enlarge the hole towards the outside so the nut to the miniature connector would work. I soldered the three wires (black, white and red) to the chassis part of the connector. Be sure to put the nut on the wires, and the washer on the connector before soldering. I then attached the male miniature connector to the three wires of the cable making sure to match the colors. I also had to use the dremel tool to cut a small slot in the headphones to miss the nut so the sides would snap back together (this was on the inside so you won't notice it). I put the headphones back together, and now I have Black Widow Headphones I can use Wired or Wireless.
I'm sure this will void the warranty on the Black Widow Headphones, but to me, it was worth the risk. All I need to do now is to come up with a cap for the connector while I'm running wireless. I would have liked to have made the adapter plate fit closer to the headphones, but this turned out acceptable and hopefully will work fine. When the WS4 Controller is not on the headphones, you can use one of the foam ear pieces to cover the adapter.
Time will tell how well this modification works. I have only used the Deus about 1 hour in my yard, and I managed to find a Civil War era button that I have missed with all my other detectors. This is really encouraging. Hopefully I'll get to try it in the real world soon now that I can hear the signals. If you need to modify anything to make your detecting easier, don't be afraid to try. I had to document what I did in case I need to do it again, so I thought why not share it here.
The plan was to attach the Electronic Control from the WS4 Backphones to the Control Side of the Black Widow Headphones and to make the headphone cable removable so I could still use the Black Widows with my other detectors.
Parts:
(Qty 1) - 3 Pin Miniature Microphone Connector (Male/Female Pair) (VUPN8217.
(Qty 3) - #6-32 x 1/2" Stainless Pan Head Machine Screws
(Qty 3) - #6-32 Stainless Nylon Insert Locknuts.
(Qty 3) - Rubber standoffs made from tubing that would go over the screws.
All the parts from the adapter side of the WS4 Backphones with the exception of the speaker.
Wire, solder, hot glue and sealant as required.
I removed the adapter side of the Backphones (which destroyed them) but you can buy a replacement Backstrap for around $20. I removed the speaker by cutting the wires and used the outside ring to mount to the side of the Black Widows. I drilled (3) 1/8" holes equally spaced in the ring and after figuring how to mount them to keep the control unit in the proper position, I drilled corresponding holes in the side of the headphones. I also drilled a 1/8" hole for the two wires that will come from the adapter.
I cut two wires about 6" long and soldered them to the two terminals in the adapter. I ran the wires through the hole and into the headphones. I then soldered wires to the same places the existing red and white wires connected to inside the Black Widows. I used hot glue to make sure the wires stay attached to the adapter and I used silicone sealant to fill the hole. Use the screws and nuts to attach the ring to the headphones. I used the rubber standoffs between the ring and the headphones for added support. The adapter attaches to this ring with three posts and hopefully will be all that's needed. I tested the XP Deus, and the new Wireless Black Widow Headphones worked great.
Next, I cut the headphone cable just inside the headphones, and removed the strain relief and existing cable; this was not an easy task. I had to resort to using a dremel tool to cut away at it until I could get it out. I then had to enlarge the hole towards the outside so the nut to the miniature connector would work. I soldered the three wires (black, white and red) to the chassis part of the connector. Be sure to put the nut on the wires, and the washer on the connector before soldering. I then attached the male miniature connector to the three wires of the cable making sure to match the colors. I also had to use the dremel tool to cut a small slot in the headphones to miss the nut so the sides would snap back together (this was on the inside so you won't notice it). I put the headphones back together, and now I have Black Widow Headphones I can use Wired or Wireless.
I'm sure this will void the warranty on the Black Widow Headphones, but to me, it was worth the risk. All I need to do now is to come up with a cap for the connector while I'm running wireless. I would have liked to have made the adapter plate fit closer to the headphones, but this turned out acceptable and hopefully will work fine. When the WS4 Controller is not on the headphones, you can use one of the foam ear pieces to cover the adapter.
Time will tell how well this modification works. I have only used the Deus about 1 hour in my yard, and I managed to find a Civil War era button that I have missed with all my other detectors. This is really encouraging. Hopefully I'll get to try it in the real world soon now that I can hear the signals. If you need to modify anything to make your detecting easier, don't be afraid to try. I had to document what I did in case I need to do it again, so I thought why not share it here.
I like full phones too..sooner rather than later, I bet all mid/top shelf rigs go 'wireless' to the phones...why wouldnt they right?
easy to see the advantages, and the tech is there...Good job and thanks for the post!
