CZ-3D Pro, Ready for fall detecting

[Old California]

Well, With the few minor changes thought I'd add Pro to the 3-D.


With fall approaching, Getting ready for serious detecting and the 1021 CZ 3-D is going to be one of my grab and go detectors from here on out.

She handles quite well, all controls remained above the hand grip so nothing changed except most of the weight is now distributed to the rear.

Before doing the mod, Used it for gold jewerly and deep turf silver hunting. I can still remember my first day using the 3D it made a believer out of me when it snaged an 8" deep barber dime at a pounded park, from there on out fell in love with the machine.

Looking forward to using her more often in the coming months ahead, especially for gold jewerly detecting.

Thanks for looking,
Paul

 

[bigtim1973]

So may I ask how you did this???? I have never seen anything like this done........I have seen modifications to detectors like water proofing, maybe moving a pinpoint switch and straight shaft conversions but this looks like a factory job. Have you got pics of the process???? Tim

 

[Old California]

Hello bigTim,

This was a simple mod, already had the parts just needed to find the time and put her together.

With the 3D it's constructed well so the Tech's can repair them quickly, which made it an easy mod to do the minor changes.

No pics in the process, but it's quite simple. It's a hobby of mine, Love to change certain detectors a bit.

Thanks for viewing it as a factory job,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Steve O]

Why two heads?..how does it function? Give it up Paul

 

[Old California]

Not quite sure Steve what you mean about two heads?

I found the mod worthy of sharing, It's not something fake.

Here's a pic of another similar mod I did about two years ago, It's a Compass GoldScanner Pro and it too has the controls above the handle.

With the 3D, having spare parts enabled me to mount a functional control panel above the handle. I can still remove the dead control panel from the lower housing and mount in a dummy plate with a CZ-3D decal.

That will eliminate the second control panel, Maybe that's something I should have done before making the post.

Paul (Ca)

 

[wayne_etc]

That's really cool.

So the controls on the rear-mounted box don't do anything?

What did you use as a "donor" control box that you reach with your hands? Looks like the CZ faceplate is mounted in a control box that used to be a part of another detector?


Nice job!

w

 

[Old California]

Thanks Wayne,

The meter control housing is a Whites analog housing, almost the same size and with minor grinding the CZ control panel slips in.

Not pictured is part of a panel cover managed to salvage from a CZ and with a bit of imagination tweaked it so it snaps on over the control panel, something maybe needed if the sun somehow effects visibility but so far visual is good on the CZ analog meter. However, The snap cover is there if needed in the future.

Will post two pics, one with the snap on cover the other with it off.

Thanks again,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Charles (Sabre)(Tx)]

That is so cool! I wonder why First Texas couldn't have done the same thing since they make the T2, G2...etc.

 

[Steve O]

Sorry, I'm confused. I see two heads/control boxes. I see the coil wire to the box mounted at the rear. I see a control box mounted above the grip with no coil wire attached. Why the two control boxes? Do they both function?
If one is a dummy, what is the reason?

PS. Paul, when I said give it up, I meant the info, not anything disrespectful.

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

My only problem with the CZ has been the balance. Why Fisher didn't make all their machines like the 1266 and have the battery compartment in the rear I'll never know. Great solution.

 

[Old California]

Thanks Charles,

I think retooling the 3D was a factor, I'm sure they thought of it but maybe too expensive of a risk retooling an analog.

Everythings going in the direction of Digital, I guess it's cheaper to go this route and they are coming out with very good detectors.

In fact, I still use a T-2 and have owned several others (F-75, etc.) and like them. But, Nothing like an old analog to use in the mix.

Would like to see Fisher take one more stab on an analog, same setup as my CZ-3D the market is still there and of course it will need to be cost effective for them to do it. If not, I understand.

Thanks again,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Old California]

No problem Steve,

The coil connector connecting to the lower housing holds the circuit board, most of the weight is now distributed to the rear (batteries, circuit board).

I'm glad you brought up what's the reasoning for two control panels, I will remove the rear panel and mount in a dummy panel with no controls. That will elimate some weight and confusion, I left it there to plug a hole same thing I did with the GoldScanner Pro.

It is possible to use both controls on some of the pots, but not with the analog meter that is one of the features that can not operate two at a time.

Thanks,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Old California]

You're right SDigger, just with the battery compartment like the 1266 below the arm rest makes a world of difference and removes some of the top heaviness when sitting the detector on the ground.

Maybe it was too cost effective adding on that rear battery pack to some of the other Fisher models,

Thanks,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Mike T]

Kind of looks like a F5 with a analog meter. Did you switch the mounting bracket on the rear housing from underneath to the top?

 

[Old California]

Hello Mike,

That's a great idea and it didn't occur to me using both mounting brackets, I only used a portion of the smaller bracket mounted on the shaft and the larger bracket is still connected underneath the housing.

Thanks!
Paul (Ca)

 

[Dan-Pa.]

First best CZ mod I have ever seen and a tip of the hat for a mod well done..Imagine this would take a lot of technical skill and imagine the average guy does not have the skill or equipment to do. Thanks for sharing...A word to the wise imagine it would kill the warranty if you have a unit with warranty left so keep that in mind..Always said some of our guys should work for metal detector outfits as over the years really saw some nice mods and again best mod I ever saw for a CZ and been around them for 20 years...

 

[cometguy]

Wow! Congrats on a very impressive mod. Maybe Fisher will check this out and see how eager the CZ guys are for a new CZ.

Don

 

[Old California]

Thank you Dan,

So true, it will void the warranty if one modifies a detector. Plus, even if the warranty expires a detector company can refuse to repair a modified detector.

Not quite done with this CZ-3D project, This current setup reminds me of the Treasure Baron modular setup of switching modules. I beleive it can operate like a module setup with quickly switching circuit boards. Every connection to the board is a connector type so it takes less than 2 minutes to pull out the circuit board reconnect the connectors then reinsert it back in, I have a non-working CZ-6 QuickSilver circuit board that hooks up to the same connectors and fits in the 3-D housing so for now it appears it should operate with the CZ-3D control panel above the handle.

Plus, The CZ-6 QuickSilver and 3D appear to have the same row of resistors on the AutoTune Disc pot. My CZ-6 circuit board has issues so I'll need to pickup another board in the future and see if the module theory works, Maybe other CZ model circuit boards will work off the CZ-3 control analog panel just need to visually compare them.

Made a change, removed the dead control analog panel from the rear and replaced it with a dummy plate. Need to order a new decal the one I used has lost it's sticky resdue.

Thanks again Dan,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Old California]

Thanks Don,

At first, was hesitant to post the mod. Good things can sometimes open up a can of worms and hopefully nothing negative comes from these minor changes to the CZ-3D, This 3D idea has been in my back pocket close to a year now.

I appreciate all the wonderful things Fisher has done and understand if they can't employ some of these ideas, Analog is coming to an end and it's more cost effective to go Digital.

Thanks again Don,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Lets face it analog is on its way out and digital along with F series units is in...So guys and gals I would really be surprised at an improved CZ rather than an improved F series unit from Fisher....only time will tell and whatever works...