Going into the water with the CTX 3030 . . . . not what we had hoped to hear

[AtochaSilverGirl]

In talking to the people in the know at the event last weekend in New Jersey a few points came up that surprised several of us that were looking at making the CTX 3030 our new shallow water unit for our 2012 hunts.


It seems that the wireless audio signal is sent from the display pod and the wireless communication link to the headphones is broken once the pod is submerged.


Also, the headphone connection module on the rear of the detector where the battery is located is not waterproof. If you want to go into the water past say knee deep, you will need to remove the module and plug in a set of waterproof headphones which unfortunately use a proprietary plug and carries a $195 price tag.

For those of us that do not plan on going beyond chest-deep water, loosing the wireless audio feature and then being required to buy a set of headphones with only one style to choose from for nearly $200 was somewhat disappointing.

Another comment that was provided regarding in-water use was that once the display pod was submerged, the ability of the GPS function to receive and maintain a signal so that one could track their coverage of a beach site was iffy at best. One person said that it would lose the signal and another person representing Minelab was unsure as he had not heard that question come up before. Does anyone know if the GPS function works with the control unit submerged and if so, does the water have to be crystal clear for a signal to be received and maintained?

 

[MHirschmann]

1) The details about how the headphones worked in and out of water was made clear early on. You are correct, if you want to submerge the unit, you will need to use either the plug in the back or you must use the waterproof headphones (the yellow ones like on the the Excalibur). Transmitting through water with any type of wireless communication is not going to happen, not on the CTX nor any other brand of whatever other product we are talking about. I wouldn't think that you would want to risk bringing the wireless module into the water anyway as dipping it into the surf would cost you the same to replace as a set of waterproof headphones. I think what has been done with the CTX 3030 is fantastic and it is everything that I could have asked for (minus it would have been nice if I could have taken it diving a little deeper than 10 ft, but I am not complaining and can't wait to get my CTX 3030). I just hope that I can find a set of waterproof headphones once they come out as I am sure I will not be the only one.

2) GPS Signal Under Water--> There is no GPS unit that will maintain signal while under water so this comes as no surprise on the CTX 3030. Charting out underwater is rather pointless anyway as everything is constantly shifting due to tides, currents, rain runoff etc.

From your post it seems that the CTX 3030 may not be for you, however, if you are looking for a top of the line land detector, that you can also use in the shallows, the CTX 3030 will surely prove to be king soon enough. I can't wait to get mine. HH -Marc

 

[Sand Scoop]

I had read that in an earlier post plus the module is not waterproof..Thats the reason I order mine with the waterproof headphones made for the CTX.

 

[Digger]

Thanks for the post Marc, I think she wandered over here from the Deus forum, hoping to stir things up a bit. As to her comments about using sunglasses in her other post, I wear my shades 100% of the time I'm detecting. And I've never had a problem viewing the display. HH Randy

 

[D&P-OR]

The points you made in your post have been gone over & are already known on the Forum here.-----I don't think you will find the waterproof h.p.'s to be as expensive as you mentioned (according to a reliable source/dealer).

 

[C&RHunter]

If you're in the water, just to be safe, wouldn't you really want to use waterproof headphones anyway Just in case of an Ah S--- moment, when the headphones are dislodged or just accidently submerged? Or is it just me that has those moments? Don't think I would want my ProGolds dropped in the drink.

 

[D&P-OR]

Completely agree with you on that!---If you're going to use a waterproof set up---use it as ALL waterproof.

If you're in the water, just to be safe, wouldn't you really want to use waterproof headphones anyway Just in case of an Ah S--- moment, when the headphones are dislodged or just accidently submerged? Or is it just me that has those moments? Don't think I would want my ProGolds dropped in the drink.

 

[C.J.M.]

JUST COMMON SENSE TAKE CARE OF YOUR DETECTOR AND IT WILL TAKE OF YOU,QUIT YOUR CRYING AND GROW UP WINNIES

 

[spdnj]

I think the way they have done this is pretty nice. You can use your own headphones with their wireless unit. All other manufacturers you are stuck with their wireless headphones and no other options. In regard to the waterproof connector, as long as those connectors become available then you can do the same with another brands of waterproof headphones. As for only being able to use wired in the water, let the detector slip out of your hand once while you are trying to scoop a target with a long handle scoop and you will be thankful that wire is there. I think its the best of both worlds especially with the limitations of wireless signals through the water

 

[GpSnoopy]

Thanks for the post Marc, I think she wandered over here from the Deus forum, hoping to stir things up a bit. As to her comments about using sunglasses in her other post, I wear my shades 100% of the time I'm detecting. And I've never had a problem viewing the display. HH Randy

The Deus's wireless coil doesn't work underwater either, unless you attach an external antenna. I'll bet some enterprising user will come up with a way to do the same with the CTX's pod.

Randy, it's possible your shades may not be polarized, and that would indeed be the workaround for those that find that they can't see the display when wearing their "polarized" glasses, as t's a known issue when viewing lcd's or any devices with a polarized screen or anti-glare shield.

Anyways, I've already ordered my CTX and common sense had me order the waterproof headphones for full water useage. I wonder how many people complained that they couldn't use their normal headphones when the excalibur came out........

 

[Digger]

It is quite possible that my bifocals are not polarized. Although they were suppose to be! I remember before I got these, I could tilt my head wearing my "old sunglasses" and see blotches all over the windows in my vehicles. HH Randy

 

[Jaichim24]

Also, the headphone connection module on the rear of the detector where the battery is located is not waterproof. If you want to go into the water past say knee deep, you will need to remove the module and plug in a set of waterproof headphones which unfortunately use a proprietary plug and carries a $195 price tag.

For those of us that do not plan on going beyond chest-deep water, losing the wireless audio feature and then being required to buy a set of headphones with only one style to choose from for nearly $200 was somewhat disappointing.

A glass half full way to look at it:

You are purchasing a high end land detector, and for $200 you are purchasing a high end water detector. I would love a water detector, but given my age, and the age of my children and the distance most beaches are from me, I'm not willing to shell out Excal II money for something I may only be able to use a few times a year. Well $200 is a bit more manageable.

I have a Stihl power plant that can have multiple attachments. I currently only have the weed whacker and small branches attachments

 

[AtochaSilverGirl]

Thanks for the post Marc, I think she wandered over here from the Deus forum, hoping to stir things up a bit. As to her comments about using sunglasses in her other post, I wear my shades 100% of the time I'm detecting. And I've never had a problem viewing the display. HH Randy

Digger,

I am not looking to stir up anything. From what I know forums are suppose to be a place to share information and ask questions. I found the information interesting and thought it would be good to share. Did not realize I would be touching such sensitive nerves. I started on the Deus forum as when I was told about findmall it was in relationship to a meeting with someone testing a Deus.

Honestly we all have detectors that we find serve us better then someone else. I try my best to learn as much as I can before I put out money on a new machine and thought that sharing some of what I learned was helpful to others. Sorry if not everyone looked at it that way.

There is one thing everyone has "An Opinion" and that is what I gave

 

[MHirschmann]

I don't think Randy meant to poke at you. You have to understand his position at this point with all the backseat drivers coming through the forum lately. Randy has put up with a lot and he is spending a lot of his personal time to help us out (for free may I add). If your intentions were not as they appeared, I am sure everyone involved is sorry but just take a look at all the negative nonsense that has come up along the way and then see how much of it was accurate. Forums are great but sometimes things are misunderstood and there are often people with nothing better to do than come on here and stir things up. I think that's where both Randy and I were coming from. If I was wrong, I am sorry and I appreciate any feedback, be it good or bad but what I don't think is constructive is all the people that spent 10 minutes with the machine and now "know" a lot about it and are criticizing it without even giving it a fair trial. HH -Marc

 

[graytcote]

It isn't $195.

 

[RabidDetectorist]

I think it's important to remember that the CTX3030 is not an underwater machine, per se. It is a machine that is waterproof. It's made so that with reasonable care, you can use it in and around the water and not be petrified you are going to slip and fall and fry your machine.

It's sort of the difference between going snorkeling and Scuba Diving.

RD

 

[Gemini13]

I think it's important to remember that the CTX3030 is not an underwater machine, per se. It is a machine that is waterproof. It's made so that with reasonable care, you can use it in and around the water and not be petrified you are going to slip and fall and fry your machine.

It's sort of the difference between going snorkeling and Scuba Diving.

RD

Depends on what you define "underwater machine" as. 10ft underwater is an underwater machine in my book.