Going to get a Compadre, but questions about gear

[Evilpenguinj]

Where is the best place to buy Calrad 15-135b headphones? I am in canada so that may be an issue. Just doing a search most links that come up seem to be ebay....

Jason

 

[pinenut]

Where is the best place to buy Calrad 15-135b headphones? I am in canada so that may be an issue. Just doing a search most links that come up seem to be ebay....

Jason

Ebay works; I bought a couple new Calrad for my kids there. If you don't find a supplier you like on ebay or elsewhere, then also have a look at the $25 Garrett Deluxe; they're similar to the Calrad.

 

[Evilpenguinj]

Hi All

Enjoying all the posts in here. So here is my dilemma. Which would you do?

I want to place one order to start. Should I....

Buy the Tesoro Compadre with coil cover, and a Lesche digger or buy the Tesoro Compadre with a Wilcox digger and a set of Garrett Headphones.

Trying to keep the first order under $350 canadian.

Thanks

Jason

 

[fltacoma]

if I were in your shoes, I would get the second one, with a coil cover (its only a couple bucks, plus you will thank yourself later on)

 

[pinenut]

if I were in your shoes, I would get the second one, with a coil cover (its only a couple bucks, plus you will thank yourself later on)

I'd go for door #2 as well. That should get get you diggin' right away. If you somehow bend or break that digger, you can always upgrade later on.
Coil scuff is a good idea to start off with too, not only 'cause it protects the coil, but the extra weight helps slow down your swing...and that's probably a good thing. Actually, I prefer not to use the scuff covers. I don't like the extra weight of 'em, but I do need to be more mindful of not smacking and scratching against rocks. You're supposed to set a comfortable pole length, so that the coil swings above the ground about an inch or two (but no more), without scrubbing the ground. Glad I got covers for the kid's Tesoros though, especially my son's; he's a bit rougher with his...

Other items you may want:

- kneepads - I like the cheap ones from Harbor Freight; they're under $5 and last me several weeks before the Velcro gets funky.
- gloves - again Harbor Freight cheapos. I get the gray cloth with yellow, bumpy latex on the palm side. I use only the left glove, so have a bunch of new rights...
- hat - your choice.. I've been wearing bucket hats for the past 20 years anyway... my favorite looks like the green one "Lance" on Detectorists wears, only more worn...
- bug repellant - use some DEET spray if you have bugs! BUT be careful not to get any on your detector! DEET eats plastic. I like the "family" type sprays that dry after a couple minutes; low % of DEET, but I don't like the oily wet sprays. IF I have a bad black fly area (and I hate black flies...), then I spray all my clothing and also use a "no see um" net over my head. I have a bad reaction to black fly bites...

 

[Evilpenguinj]

Thanks for the replies guys. At this point I don't want to buy super expensive headphones and I would prefer nothing to large. Does anyone have any experience with these: Garrett Clear Sound headphones. They don't seem to large and have a volume control. Anyone use them?

Jason

 

[Evilpenguinj]

I don't see a way to edit a post, but in any case the one question I have is, will any set of headphones with an inline volume control work? That would open up a lot more options if true.

Jason

 

[REVIER]

I won a pair of easy stow clear sound headphones for free and I was happy.
I tried them on one hunt and never used them again.
Extremely low volume which I hated, I cut out the volume control and spliced the wire back together hoping the control was the problem but nope...still the same.

Yes, an inline volume control will work fine on the micro plug buds and phones but you will have to add a 1/4" plug converter too.
I bought both at Radio Shack cheap, where you get that stuff now I have no idea.

I have used everything from pretty cheap ear buds to a few lower end muffs to my Killer B's and have found great stuff with all of them.
There are differences though, stay away from the very cheapest models of anything.

One set I used for a long time was a Sony set...MDR-XD200
Way better sound than the muddy $20 Sony set I bought at Walmart, extremely good sound actually, I picked them up for about $25 on sale at Sears a few years ago...usually about $30.
For some reason the price on these things soared up to $50, then $80 and now at over" $100 which is crazy for an actual cheap set of phones.
They are jumping on the expensive headphone bandwagon evidently, I guess they assume people are stupid.
Plenty of these same phone on EBay though at much better prices.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=sony+mdr-xd200

They have a super long cord because they are designed to plug into a tv and listen to movies from across the room but I just used some ties to keep it easily manageable.

 

[Evilpenguinj]

Thanks for the reply REVIER. The Sony's look nice but I don't see a volume control. I have a nice pair of Sennheiser headphones at home but they don't have a volume control either. I know the Compadre does not have a volume control, so whatever headphones I get are going to need that.

Jason

 

[MI-AuAg]

Hey Jason,

I use the Sennheiser RS 160 wireless headphones. I know at this point, you want to keep costs down. In the future, if you decide to upgrade, check out those RS 160's, they cost about $100, but the freedom/comfort of wireless is great. Good sound quality too.

They can also be used at home for wireless TV, and stereo applications.

Hope you enjoy the hobby!

 

[pinenut]

I started out with inexpensive 1/8" jack headphones. They were light and sounded OK. I'd used an adapter and a seperate volume control... problem was, that the non-coiled cord would get caught on something every time detecting (I'm often around brush and trees), and I thought I'd either break off the little plug or pull the wires out. Even though they're heavier and sort of hot during summer, proper dectorist headphones have a tough coiled cord, volume control(s), correct size 1/4" plug, and they insulate your noggin from outside noises much better than cheapo headphones. The better ones usually (not always) have a higher impedance, and are more sensitive to the slightest electrical input, so that you'll hear faint target signals more easily.
Start of with whatever you can afford, but I recommend getting something durable, not needing any adapter.

 

[REVIER]

Thanks for the reply REVIER. The Sony's look nice but I don't see a volume control. I have a nice pair of Sennheiser headphones at home but they don't have a volume control either. I know the Compadre does not have a volume control, so whatever headphones I get are going to need that.

Jason

I used several set ups on my detectors over time, many without any volume control and never cared all that much.
The Compadre too, everything worked pretty well on that one.
One warning though, don't put on headphones and turn the Compadre on while wearing them.
Do it once and you will found out why.

 

[Evilpenguinj]

Yes the dreaded battery test tone...haha! So your saying that using headphones without the volume control was not too loud?

Jason

 

[REVIER]

Yes the dreaded battery test tone...haha! So your saying that using headphones without the volume control was not too loud?

Jason

Not for me.
Pretty comfortable volume level actually, my opinion of course.
Just gotta try something, anything yourself before you get a worked up about volume controls.

 

[slingshot]

Yes the dreaded battery test tone...haha! So your saying that using headphones without the volume control was not too loud?

Jason

I use the Wally World $6 headphones by Koss.

 

[hatpin]

I dont use headphones at all unless i'm by a busy road or have some nosey kids around .I cant stand the things .

 

[Evilpenguinj]

I made a decision on what digging tool to use. I am going to try the Ironclad Viking digger. I quite like the look and from what I have read it's really strong. I have watched some videos from Texas Tiger Digs and he certainly likes it. So I can't wait for it to arrive. I think I will wait on the headphones, it's still winter here in Canada so I have time. I am going to get the Compadre soon so I can practice with it before the weather turns nicer. Thanks for all of your replies!

Jason