Explorer Weight...

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

Hello all,
Hope this is not too touchy of a subject. As I get older the Explorer seems to get heavier! It has gotten to the point that I purchased a lighter, different brand detector. I am so use to the Explorer, that it is really a pain to try to learn another machine (and I thought it would be fun). It is so easy with the Explorer, except the weight. Now I am thinking that I made a mistake purchasing another brand, since I just want to use the Explorer.

Does anyone know what kind of weight reduction can be expected by putting the Explorer guts on say a Whites XLT shaft? I know that the ergonomics make a big difference too - but I am talking strictly weight. My guess is that there is very little weight reduction if any, since folks never brag about exact weight reduction. A pound would be huge!

Come on, who owns the lightest Explorer?? I am just wondering if converting to a different shaft is worth the effort. Hey Charles you must know?

Thanks - BF

 

[dewcon4414]

After using an Xcal, have you considered a straight shaft conversion using aircraft aluminum? Cant remember who.... but someone has converted one for water use BF in a box. You might ask Old Beach Nut or GravediggerMaxVa who it was. Hip mounting could be the ticket to what you are looking for. Not to bad swinging a coil on a stick. There may even be a Utube on it BF.

Dew

 

[sgoss66]

My advice is to get, and commit to getting used to -- a "swingy thingy." Yes, they are a pain for some folks, but I do use one; I got it this summer and committed to getting used to it, and I finally did. It's NOT perfect, but if you adjust it correctly, it DOES help ALOT.

One other thing? Get used to swinging with both arms. When one gets tired, you can switch. Yes, it DOES take some getting used to. I felt COMPLETELY clumsy the first several hunts, and had no control over the smoothness of my sweeps, etc. swinging left-handed (as a right-hander). BUT, it slowly got easier; after a couple of weeks it was no problem; now, it's second nature. Swinging with either hand is equally comfortable for me.

Swingy Thingy, and becoming ambidextrous are the two things that help the most, short-term (IMO). I sure do hope Minelab comes out with the Explorer 4 -- (or SE Pro XL -- "XL" for X-tra Light!) that is a lightweight, ergonmically-awesome machine!

Steve

 

[Hotcz70]

I'm curious myself Robin....Nice post

My 6 to 8 hour hunts have now turned into 2 to 3 hour hunts.

I'm a personal trainer and still hit the gym 5 days a week...but I'm also not getting any younger...and my shoulder says "screw you" after about 3 hours max.

 

[DougF]

I have gotten used to switching arms. After about an hour, I can feel the right arm getting tired, I switch to the left. After you do this a couple times, it doesn't feel awkward any more. I almost never hunt for more than three hours, so that helps.

 

[Elton]

It's the only way ( unless Home made) contraption of taking the weight away... I owned an XS mounted on the XLT rods.It's better, and a little lighter.but still heavy over all.
I'm 6' 3"............so at best.the Minelab Explorers have been "out of whack" for using them due to awkward configuration of the machine.....and my Height.

The current model Se Pro I use is better ....... but does get heavy after a couple hours of switching arms.... The Swingy thingy let's the machine hang at just the right length, and a little push down
moves it to just ground level swinging area.......... It takes a little adjustment when digging.but after a couple outings it OK............. much better, with no shoulder or upper arm fatigue.

I just don't understand why Minelab refuses to redesign the battery holder, and even reduce the amount of batteries used. A simple reconfiguration would change the whole balance and feel if they still used 8 batteries..............

 

[Hotcz70]

For me there is a trade-off...and that is a little more pressure on my lower back which is where the weight gets distributed to. I field tested Docs swingy thingy and love it as well as use it on my bigger coils. It does work wonders on my shoulder fatigue but again it also transfers some of that weight to the lower back.

 

[Charles (Upstate NY)]

Guys I just posted a brain dump on this very topic in the other Explorer handle angle thread. I have built one of these e.g. I took one of those featherlight Whites S shafts and put the Explorer guts on it so it can be done. My other post was focused on building a storm/weatherproof Explorer but if my goal was just to build the most lightweight Explorer possible there are some additional weight savings to be had. That said I found balance is just as important as overall weight, the Explorers being nose heavy is a lot of what really wipes out your shoulder.

This time I'm using a Red X-Terra shaft assembly. Its a little bit heavier than the Whites but has two very important things going for it. It has a nice beefy oval shaped handle with the corrected angle like the ETrac. I found the Whites cheap round handle with the cheap foam grip gave me hand fatigue and was more difficult to control the machine. The key is to move the control box a bit further back towards your arm, then extend the rear of the S shaft with aprox 10 inches of tubing and move the battery way back there, this balanced even the WOT coil. With the newer SE Pro coil this setup would be quite an improvement.

 

[sgoss66]

Hopefully Minelab is aware of all of this; I know if I were running a company, and the users of my product were trying to modify, or even avoid, my product due to weight/ergonomic issues causing such problems for them, I'd be re-designing things BIG time...

Steve

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

Thanks Dew, I have a hip mount/shoulder strap mount deal. It worked good when I had a sore shoulder. I didn't like all the straps and wires running around though. I may get that back out and check it out again.
HH - BF

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

I have the swingy thingy which I loaned to a friend. I will try that again. The ambidextrous thing is also a good idea. I usually have my back tighten up as the first sign. Using the other hand may help. I never had trouble with my arm getting tired though.
Thanks - BF

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

My buddy and I use to stay out all day detecting. I think we made six hours the last time out... I was very tired. I could be in better shape, but I still feel like age is creeping up and cutting down my comfortable time. My back starts to tighten up after about two-three hours. Never had much trouble with my arm or shoulder.

It makes a big difference depending on the site though. If I am hunting a yard I can go a lot longer, since I stop, put the machine down, kneel and dig often. The fields can be killers though. I use a little shovel and really only put the machine down if I cannot find the target. Plus there is more swinging and less digging usually.

Thanks and HH - BF

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

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[Big Fang Coin Biter]

But so far no. Guys were not happy with the weight from the first. For years, the first thing on the wish list has been Lighter Weight. Well, you can plug the new one into your computer and share programs!! I seriously wonder how many people have done that? Then I wonder why they did, ha ha.

I am getting off topic sorry. To me ML should make a lightweight, waterproof Explorer. It could be stripped down with only a tiny smart screen. I could actually get by with no screen and just the nice Explorer tones. Not that any of that weighs anything.

I kept waiting and waiting, but with the release of the eTrac, my hopes have fallen. IMHO, ML has now quit making their best machine - the Explorer II. I had the SE and liked my EII much better. $1000+ mistake for me. eTrac anyone? Again IMHO, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

Oh, I am off topic again sorry. It all kind of gets rolled up into - I am one of ML's biggest fans! I have had and loved the Explorer since the XS was released (ok I didn't love the SE). Hey ML, I just dropped a thousand bucks with your competitors!! You are loosing market share, dollars, users!

If you can't make it better (deeper, more accurate), I would still buy an Explorer that is lighter.

HH to all - BF

 

[sgoss66]

If you can't make it better (deeper, more accurate), I would still buy an Explorer that is lighter.

I agree Fang...I'm surprised there isn't even a "retrofit kit" where at LEAST we can upgrade to lighter shafts and the improved handle angle like the E-Trac has...something like this, from Minelab:

Hey Explorer users, for $100, send in your Explorer, and we will retrofit it with an improved Ergonomic design; your Explorer "head" mounted on a lighter, better-balanced shaft system with a smaller, lighter-weight (but longer-lasting) battery, improved handle angle, etc. -- resulting in much improved weight and ergonomics!

I'm in...

Or, just come out with the improved Explorer IV, already -- which can incorporate drastically better ergonomics (and also offer current Explorer users $500 off the purchase price of a new one if you wish to trade in your old one! )

Steve

 

[dewcon4414]

Steve you are dreaming about ML making it lighter. They seem to do their own thing and just dont listen. Even the Xcal..... we all have to make our own shafts. Anyone tried one of the handles that go on the heavy gold machines that allow you to use both hands? If ML would design it on a straight shaft using a battery pod .... man what a bang up machine. All we really need is a coil, pod, and an attachable box and WE will build it. Would we buy them like that .... heck yes and it would save them money. Right now they might as well not even give you a shaft with a couple of their machines. BF you think dirt swinging is hard ... try beach swinging where you rarely get to put the machine down.... you beg for trash to dig after awhile.

Dew

 

[morelic55]

If they would just design it on the Xterra platform and make it run on 4 AA's, that would be great!!!!

 

[sovereign-fan]

hi guys. the explorer weight is definitely a issue. i have a few health issues and one being my right lung. a few years ago i had an operation on that lung were the hole side of that lung was glued down to the rib cage. well that area now often at times feels tight and also uncomfortable with pains. i am right hand also, so using the machine and because of its weight adds pressure to that area and makes detecting for long periods difficult. i know their is the swingy thingy / harness out their but i thought i would try my hand at make one of my owen.
i can honestly say what a difference it makes to swinging the machine. this has taken an awful amount of pressure of my ribs and spreads the weight as well. the machine feels so much lighter now and i can swing it for most of the day now.

i made it from a couple of old straps that was laying about and one of thoughs Luggage style bungee cords. the bungee hooks on and off so easily
here is some pics

 

[Buddysox]

As A longtime minelab user I can understand the weight problem. I have all SEF coils and they certainly are not known for being lightweight. My favorite is a 15x18 monster that I got on EBay from a guy who just could not take the weight. Being 62 years young I tell people I can do anything that I used to at 18, just a lot slower. ( Yea, Sure I can).

I have found a way that helps the back and arm and gives me about two hours more swing time with that Explorer. I always noticed that everyone I have hunted with winds up swinging a detector with a slightly hunched over stance and the swing arm extended. That stance alone, no matter how light the detector is the worst thing for the back and arm.
Maybe this will help. I found that extending the lower shaft out as much as possible and then using a stance that is upright with your swing arm elbow tucked in to the ribcage is best. Stand up straight and swing the whole body, not your arm. Its a perfect slow swing for the Minelab. Takes a while to get used to it but, I guarantee it makes a big difference. I have a swingy thingy but don't use it because I now use this method to hunt and don't need it. Try it, cost nothing and really helps. Good Hunting!

 

[Big Fang Coin Biter]

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