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Hand pain caused by the Equinox’s grip
- Thread starter JEF
- Start date
Florida Son
Active member
Like you I have Steve's carbon fiber rod with a counter weight. But I found for me I need alittle more weight so I made a duct tape bottle holder at the counter weight. This allowed me (if I do not extend the coil too far) to actually use almost no grip strength, almost like laying the grip in my hand and I also do not tighten the arm cuff strap. Open enough so I can slide my arm in and out without.
The above works for 4-5 hour beach hunting trips and limited short grass. Since you tried everything else, you might try this.
Good Luck!
(My problem was from the shovel side, shovel and handle is 12 pound and I got a bad bout of tendinitis that I still am recovering from. I found a much smaller and lighter shovel and plan to use it.)
The above works for 4-5 hour beach hunting trips and limited short grass. Since you tried everything else, you might try this.
Good Luck!
(My problem was from the shovel side, shovel and handle is 12 pound and I got a bad bout of tendinitis that I still am recovering from. I found a much smaller and lighter shovel and plan to use it.)
I have exactly the same thing with my little finger. It caused tendon inflammation, causing what you call a "trigger" finger, where you finger seems to get stuck. I have had several other detectors without any similar issue whatsoever. I think the size of the handle (circumference) has something to do with it. It seems quite large, probably because Minelab wanted to have the batteries in there.
gwsears
Active member
The handle is too perpendicular to the shaft and should be more at like a 45 degree, or adjustable to user comfort. There are excellent aftermarket shafts on the market but no aftermarket handles where the real problem lies.
If someone could redesign the handle/battery holder or attachment collar to be adjustable.. (waterproof be damned) the fix would be in.
g
If someone could redesign the handle/battery holder or attachment collar to be adjustable.. (waterproof be damned) the fix would be in.
g
I have the same problem on long day hunts.
I have Steve’s shaft with the counter weight.
Hears what I do.
my two little finger under the shaft and I let the shaft cradle in them lightly the next two fingers lightly ( floats) reach around the control neck. Nothing is held tight. I could not do this without Steve’s carbon fiber shaft and counterweight .
Hope this helps.
Doug
I have Steve’s shaft with the counter weight.
Hears what I do.
my two little finger under the shaft and I let the shaft cradle in them lightly the next two fingers lightly ( floats) reach around the control neck. Nothing is held tight. I could not do this without Steve’s carbon fiber shaft and counterweight .
Hope this helps.
Doug
Nuggettdog
New member
It just goes to show we are all built differently. If the angle of the handle were any different than it is, I would probably be complaining about pain as well.
JAN1
Active member
Went out for a few hours the other day down the beach, no problems with wrist pain.
I use a harness just to keep the nox out of the rocks but I noticed that I do not grip the handle and just hold it loose with my
thumb resting on the right of control box. May be of help. By the way I was 71 years young yesterday.
I use a harness just to keep the nox out of the rocks but I noticed that I do not grip the handle and just hold it loose with my
thumb resting on the right of control box. May be of help. By the way I was 71 years young yesterday.
TinCanBeach
Active member
Happy 71st birthday! Good luck!
I know the 600 is water-proof, but I don't think soaking it in cider will help change the grip. Just my opinion.
think about it awhile !!!!!
RustyNickel
New member
I'm like jacco, I have developed trigger finger as a result of swinging my 600. Two fingers actually. Currently taking steroids and topical NSAID to see if that will assist with the pain and incomplete flexion.
This is much worse than the carpal tunnel issues I have as a result of typing for over 30 years!
Minelab, please consult with a hand specialist on the correct grip for your gear. Right now, I am using my Simplex+ which does not seem to "trigger" the same hand pain.
This is much worse than the carpal tunnel issues I have as a result of typing for over 30 years!
Minelab, please consult with a hand specialist on the correct grip for your gear. Right now, I am using my Simplex+ which does not seem to "trigger" the same hand pain.
After I purchased an XP Deus in February of this year my hand pain problem has completely disappeared. It has a smaller and much more comfortable grip for me. And it feels like a feather to swing it is so light. I still have the Equinox, but the Deus is now my everyday detector. I mainly use the Equinox now for the beach and rainy days.
relicmeister
Well-known member
Might try attaching a hand strap to the top and bottom of the grip handle using 8” zip ties to slip your hand into. This would take all the gripping effort off your fingers and transmit it to your palm on the leftward sweep, and the back of your hand on the rightward sweep. Neither the hand nor the arm cuff strap should be snug so you can Easily slip out to dig the targets
Sven
Well-known member
Biggest problem is the detector search coil weight causing the detector to be unbalanced.
Now needing you to use more wrist muscles tensed up to keep the detector balanced when swinging.
Which also, naturally causes you to grip tighter. Too big or small of a handle diameter, can also be an issue.
Then the handle angle can make things worse:
Then where you grip and arm cup height, if your forearm is not parallel to the shaft when swinging also causes wrist and arm fatigue.
Either the arm cuff needs to be raised or your hand needs to be lowered on the handle. Correct handle angle can fix some of this.
Adding rear counter balance weight on a straight shaft, makes it harder to to end and start the swing from left to right, if the detector was unbalanced to start with.
Coil and where the lower rod attaches will also make a difference. Coil mounted closer to the center has better balance.
The above can be an issue with any detector that looks like a cell phone on a stick. All the weight in in the handle/control box and search coil.
Everyone is built different with physical strengths and weaknesses.........................................................
Will add this note, any cell phone on a stick detector made to be waterproof and used for both land and water hunting, will need a heavier coil. So it will not float or fold upwards when submerged and
no needed extra wrist force to keep the coil down. Anyone ever have the Whites Surfmaster Pi and not get the diving coil?
Nokta/ Makro has been tweaking the handle angle and position on the shaft. The handle itself and angle seem to be correct. They did a great job on the Anfibio handle and Simplex handle.
But, still coil heavy and not balanced.As mentioned above the extra search coil weight was needed for water hunting.
Here's the killer detector for best handle ergonomics. The original Quest Pro. Second best was the Q40. Plus the balanced just about perfect with the lightweight 5x9 or 5" coil. If the detector is balanced properly, its natural position would put the coil parallel with the ground. Test your detector like the picture below. Hold it in your normal hand grip position. Release your grip and see where it balances.
You could swing all day, felt as light as a Tesoro. Quest used a lightweight filler epoxy to pot the coils, making them lightweight. With this is mind maybe those other brand machines
should offer a lightweight optional coil for land hunting?
I am all for ergonomics and detector balance, so I attempt to mod those I can to fit my needs. Right now making my own custom grip for the Simplex to be used on a round tube light weight straight shaft
and lower rod using the 5x9 coil. Will be interesting to see how it swings when completed.
Lots of arm cuffs are preset to being too wide, so it forces you to where the arm strap. If the arm cuff is too wide and made out of metal, bend it it for a somewhat snug fit. If plastic Heat with a heat gun, then bend it into the proper fit. Add a block under the control box to get your wrist and forearm into a better position.
Now needing you to use more wrist muscles tensed up to keep the detector balanced when swinging.
Which also, naturally causes you to grip tighter. Too big or small of a handle diameter, can also be an issue.
Then the handle angle can make things worse:
Then where you grip and arm cup height, if your forearm is not parallel to the shaft when swinging also causes wrist and arm fatigue.
Either the arm cuff needs to be raised or your hand needs to be lowered on the handle. Correct handle angle can fix some of this.
Adding rear counter balance weight on a straight shaft, makes it harder to to end and start the swing from left to right, if the detector was unbalanced to start with.
Coil and where the lower rod attaches will also make a difference. Coil mounted closer to the center has better balance.
The above can be an issue with any detector that looks like a cell phone on a stick. All the weight in in the handle/control box and search coil.
Everyone is built different with physical strengths and weaknesses.........................................................
Will add this note, any cell phone on a stick detector made to be waterproof and used for both land and water hunting, will need a heavier coil. So it will not float or fold upwards when submerged and
no needed extra wrist force to keep the coil down. Anyone ever have the Whites Surfmaster Pi and not get the diving coil?
Nokta/ Makro has been tweaking the handle angle and position on the shaft. The handle itself and angle seem to be correct. They did a great job on the Anfibio handle and Simplex handle.
But, still coil heavy and not balanced.As mentioned above the extra search coil weight was needed for water hunting.
Here's the killer detector for best handle ergonomics. The original Quest Pro. Second best was the Q40. Plus the balanced just about perfect with the lightweight 5x9 or 5" coil. If the detector is balanced properly, its natural position would put the coil parallel with the ground. Test your detector like the picture below. Hold it in your normal hand grip position. Release your grip and see where it balances.
You could swing all day, felt as light as a Tesoro. Quest used a lightweight filler epoxy to pot the coils, making them lightweight. With this is mind maybe those other brand machines
should offer a lightweight optional coil for land hunting?
I am all for ergonomics and detector balance, so I attempt to mod those I can to fit my needs. Right now making my own custom grip for the Simplex to be used on a round tube light weight straight shaft
and lower rod using the 5x9 coil. Will be interesting to see how it swings when completed.
Lots of arm cuffs are preset to being too wide, so it forces you to where the arm strap. If the arm cuff is too wide and made out of metal, bend it it for a somewhat snug fit. If plastic Heat with a heat gun, then bend it into the proper fit. Add a block under the control box to get your wrist and forearm into a better position.
Attachments
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IMO they screwed up on the Angle.
This is my solution.
i don‘t hold mine like everyone else.
i hold mine like a spinning fishing reel. My little finger is placed below the shaft. I do not grab the handle hard. I let it kinds float I. My hand. it take some time to get use to it. Training. I’ve been detecting for 50+ years and with many detectors.
Doug
This is my solution.
i don‘t hold mine like everyone else.
i hold mine like a spinning fishing reel. My little finger is placed below the shaft. I do not grab the handle hard. I let it kinds float I. My hand. it take some time to get use to it. Training. I’ve been detecting for 50+ years and with many detectors.
Doug
Sven
Well-known member
Interesting way of holding the handle. Tried it using the custom handle I am making that is fitted to the round tubing pictured above. Gave me an idea for a new handle/shaft design.
rarysgaaed
Member
I have had an issue with my hand as well. Not sure why they made such a thick grip. I bought the nox this year & it didn't happen at first but my hand hurts all the time now even with the six inch coil. Hoping the time off this winter not detecting will help. Maybe I'll try the gel grip suggested.