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E-trac is kicking my &%%

A

archer

Member
I posted this on another site. I thought I would also get feedback from fellow E-trac users since the E-trac is uniquely (and in my opinion, poorly) balanced.

I love my E-trac and really don't want to give it up. However, it is physically getting the best of me. I can no longer swing it for any extended period without really paying for it.

My question is about the numerous products out there to help support the detector. They seem to range from very simple (single strap & bungie) and inexpensive to elaborate and pricey. i.e. full harness with torsion bar support (Minelab)

Looking for feed back from fellow E-trac users who are using these products.

Even the expensive ones are much cheaper than a new light weight upper end detector.
 
I have used on occasion Doc's Ultra Swingy Thingy. Have not used any other detector sling, so I can only comment on it. Used it twice when I was detecting more than 6 hours at a time. I can say that it helped take the pressure off wrist and forearm when hunting for extended periods. I can hunt up to 4 hours straight with no problems but after that I start to wear down. I have to say though I experiece the same discomfort at that length of time with most any detector. The only ill effect was a stiff neck because if you leave it hooked when digging your neck has to be tilted down so as not to interfere with digging. I hunt in areas with a very large amount of iron, brass and copper trash so in ttf in six hours I know I am digging over 50 targets(alot of .22 and shotgun casings, copper horse harness rivets, etc. In one of the six hour outings I quit counting at 100 targets. Got to do it if you are also going for gold. Anyway, I would give it a thumbs up for allowing me to detect that long.
 
I have an impinged shoulder and 4-5 hours of dirt fishing with my trac would cause a week or two joint pain.

I took the strap off of the detector bag that came with it, and a couple of small bungees and made my own strap, I don't detect with out it.

Not only does it keep me from having shoulder problems, it is really convienient, when you stand up after filling in your hole, your detector follows you up because of the strap. All you have to do is grab the handle and off you go. I highly recomend using a strap, either purchased or home made.

Bill
 
I use Doc's Swing Thing on my etrac and have found I can swing the detector for 5 to 6 hours without arm or shoulder fatigue. Now getting up and down in those same 6 hours hunts are quite a different thing but I am 66. Now I have to figure out a tripod with bungee to lift me back up when I find a target to dig....lol I think they all work pretty well just how deep your pockets are.....
 
I went to a smaller coil (6x8 SEF) for my main coil. doesn't fully solve the problem, but sure helps. bought an XP Deus a couple weeks ago, wow super light....
 
I know KHouse from this forum made his own pretty cheap. Maybe he can share how he constructed it.
 
Basically it's a Brush Cutter strap, 1" ring, velcro strap and small bungee all purchased at Home Depot. Use the velcro strap and fasten the ring to the handle. Then put the bungee between the ring and strap clip. Adjust it all to suit your swing.
 
The etrac is definitely a great machine, but it does crank your wrist at a somewhat unnatural angle causing pressure on your wrist. I used the etrac for about a year and decided to sell it and upgrade to the CTX. No more pressure on the wrist. They made the handle at a more correct angle and the weight of the machine is more equally balanced. I'm glad I made the change. My body thanks me!!!
 
Minelab just came out with their own harness device. I have not seen anyone carrying it yet, but I intend to call Minelab about it soon. I also get the soar arm and elbow.

HH,
 
You can easily make your own sling - I made one out of a few things I had laying around the basement - I used a brief case shoulder strap, a carabiner and a short bungee cord.
Properly adjusted - it makes the machine feel like it weighs less than one pound - I can swing a 10 x 12 SEF coil all day with this sling without any shoulder pain.

The other way to go is to get to a smaller coil - something like a 6 x 8 SEF is a great coil and it's real easy to swing for long periods of time.
My 10 x 12 coil kills my shoulder after an hour or so - but I can swing my 4.5 x 7 coil all day long.
Taking a few ounces off the tip weigh of your machine makes a huge difference in the comfort level !

Good luck !
 
Look at a device called the Detector Buddy. I am going to get one before I go to England since we will be hunting 10+ hours a day. One of my hunting buddies (who talked me into going to England) already bought one and loves it.
 
Look at a device called the Detector Buddy. I am going to get one before I go to England since we will be hunting 10+ hours a day. One of my hunting buddies (who talked me into going to England) already bought one and loves it.

It was designed by guys that were hunting long days in England and is supposed to be less in your way when you are retrieving targets.
 
Tenspeed said:
Look at a device called the Detector Buddy. I am going to get one before I go to England since we will be hunting 10+ hours a day. One of my hunting buddies (who talked me into going to England) already bought one and loves it.

It was designed by guys that were hunting long days in England and is supposed to be less in your way when you are retrieving targets.
Click to expand...

I also use The Detector Buddy and it works really well but I may upgrade to the Minelab harness just because its kinda difficult to untether when I need to dig. HH jeff
 
I use the detector buddy on my etrac works great. Don't have to unhook to dig a target.
 
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