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Hip-Mounting Land Star - Need Longer Cable

H

hunkadinka

New member
Hi all: Even though my Land Star, like similar models, is considered a light weight detector, the 2+ plus pounds can still tire your arms when you use the switch-arm method. I originally thought that since I do my digging with my right hand I could operate the detector with my left arm. I started that way but after a while I had to give my left arm a break and swing with my right. My right arm got tired faster than my left arm because of the digging.

I had been thinking of hip-mounting the control box and I thought a canteen holder was the right shape but didn't know if it could hold the control box. I made a cardboard template of the oval shape of the display end (with the knobs) since is it was slightly bigger than the bottom where the batteries reside. I was going to go to a surplus store downtown and see about finding a canteen holder that could comfortably hold the control box via the template.

Before I went downtown I remembered my GARRETT's vinyl pouch and gave that a try. Success, as you can see in the photos. The 2nd photo of the bottom shows where I cut a hole for the cable connector.

Now, as good as holding just the rod feels, althought the arm rest design is piss-poor and almost uncomfortable, the problem is that since the cable was designed to just wrap around rod to the control box, it's too short for the hip-mount configuration. I've already tried it out and you have to keep your swings to shorter swings so that you don't constantly tug at the connector end. I wrote to Bounty Hunter, mentioning what I had done, asking them if they had an extenstion cable that I could buy. I have to wait until next week for a reply but I thought I would ask you people if any of you have such an extension cable and who you got it from and how much it cost.

Be my guest to my modification and let me know if any of you did.

Silver Fox (formerly hunkadinka)
 
[quote jeff@middlesex]At one time you could order the stock 8" coil with a 5-6' coil wire installed in it from the factory.[/quote]
The cable attached to my Land Star's 8-1/4" "spider" coil measures 3 feet, 9 inches so even a 5 foot or 6 foot cable would be more desirable. But I think a little extra length would be preferred. So an extension cable around 4 feet would be ideal to allow me a wide, or normal, swing and I could still wrap some of the cable around the rod to get it higher on the rod and it wouldn't tug when I reached the end of the right hand swing. Depending on the answer I might receive from someone here or Bounty Hunter, I may then inquire of Keith Wills. Although if he had to make one for me it would definitely be a little prohibitive, cost-wise. If Bounty Hunter provided a coil with a longer cable, it would also be prohibitive, cost-wise. Unless I could sell the present coil and recoup my expense.

But let me tell, removing the light control box from the rod is a great improvement in comfort and being able to swing for a much longer period of time than leaving the control box on the rod.
 
Check with one of your computer stores near you. Take the unit with you. You may be able to get a cable that is long enough to make it work and be more comfortable.
 
Very interesting idea...I think your the first to do this with a Bounty Hunter box...I think it will work great if you can get the cable longer...I have been thinking about changing the connector on the bottom of my control box to one that is a screw on type, then changing the connector end on the coil...Yes, this would mean cutting off the original connector and soldering on a new one...I have this experience as I am a Amateur Radio Operator as well...I think this will serve 2 purposes...it would allow for a tighter and more secure connection, and also allow me to lengthen the cable if needed...I do believe I saw once at a Radio Shack, a cable that would serve your purpose, a kind of extension cable with 5/6 pin male on one end, and 5/6 pin female on the other...This would need to be taped or hot glued together at the point where the coil cable meets the extension cable...I do not think the added length will effect anything as long as it is not like 10 foot or more...make sure that any cable you get is FULLY shielded. if not, your going to get false signals from nearby power lines, cordless phones, cell phones, radios, etc...


HH,

BH-LandStar
 
[quote BH-LandStar]Very interesting idea...I think your the first to do this with a Bounty Hunter box...I think it will work great if you can get the cable longer...I have been thinking about changing the connector on the bottom of my control box to one that is a screw on type, then changing the connector end on the coil...Yes, this would mean cutting off the original connector and soldering on a new one...I have this experience as I am a Amateur Radio Operator as well...I think this will serve 2 purposes...it would allow for a tighter and more secure connection, and also allow me to lengthen the cable if needed...I do believe I saw once at a Radio Shack, a cable that would serve your purpose, a kind of extension cable with 5/6 pin male on one end, and 5/6 pin female on the other...This would need to be taped or hot glued together at the point where the coil cable meets the extension cable...I do not think the added length will effect anything as long as it is not like 10 foot or more...make sure that any cable you get is FULLY shielded. if not, your going to get false signals from nearby power lines, cordless phones, cell phones, radios, etc...


HH,

BH-LandStar[/quote]
Rivermarine1 and your suggestions, give food for thought. I also thought about a screw-on connector for security and possibly a better connection that will not eventually loosen giving erratic performance. You have the experience to do this and could possibly succeed at it but it's not something I want to tackle.

The problem about buying a cable at a computer store or at Radio Shack has to do with the internal connections to make sure that connections are 100% and if they are not one might not realize it except for the detector possibly acting weird. However, since Radio Shack accepts returns, I will venture forth and with the info you've provided (5/6 pin, etc.) will see if they do have such a cable. Securing the connectors will not be a problem 'cause before I tape them together I'll use twist ties to hold them together so if the tape unravels the twist tie will hold them until a fix is done.

Glad I put this before the board. Thanks all.

Silver Fox
 
I would bring your coil with you, so you know you buy the right one...female on one end, male on the other...

BH-LandStar
 
[quote BH-LandStar]I would bring your coil with you, so you know you buy the right one...female on one end, male on the other...

BH-LandStar[/quote]
In my reply I said: "You have the experience to do this and could possibly succeed at it but it's not something I want to tackle." I meant to say "I could possibly succeed..."

Good idea about bringing the coil with me to make certain I can match the connectors. Thanks.
 
Some Radio Shack owners do electronic work in the back of thier stores...may have someone to do it for you.
 
I used to play with CB radios some years ago, and, users were always tweaking their radios. Rule of thumb was if you were out on the road and you needed something done to your radio and didn't know anyone in the area you're in, you would find a local truck stop off the highway, they usually had someone who does decent work. I mention this because it seems like the wire and pin set up connecting the coil to the box is very similar to some of those CB radio connections. If the wires are that similar and those guys are used to working on those types of connections then maybe they might be able to not only put it together, but find the kind of cable you need, and have one made to the length you want. Just a thought.
 
[quote Tony66]I used to play with CB radios some years ago, and, users were always tweaking their radios. Rule of thumb was if you were out on the road and you needed something done to your radio and didn't know anyone in the area you're in, you would find a local truck stop off the highway, they usually had someone who does decent work. I mention this because it seems like the wire and pin set up connecting the coil to the box is very similar to some of those CB radio connections. If the wires are that similar and those guys are used to working on those types of connections then maybe they might be able to not only put it together, but find the kind of cable you need, and have one made to the length you want. Just a thought.[/quote]
Everyone has been helpful and I appreciate it. I've also received suggestions by BHLandStar which I have just acted upon. He mentioned getting a 5/6-pin DIN shielded extension cable and after visiting Radio Shack and learning more I just placed an order online for a 5-pin, 6-foot cable for AT/XT Keyboard cable with male and female connectors which cost only $2+$4.95 and I'll soon find out if it is the solution I'm seeking. I'll let you all know so that perhaps you can modify your detectors, Bounty Hunter and otherwise.
 
Learning from experience is usually the best way to learn if what you're doing is correct or not. I blew it with this hip-mounting of my Land Star. I was able to do it, no problem, but as I mentioned the cable attached to the coil is too short to allow normal swings. So with the help of some of you especially BH-LandStar, I eventually found that a 5-pin computer cable with male and female connectors was the way to go. I found such a cable on the web and ordered it.

But my inexperience with such cables resulted in my ordering the wrong cable. It has to do with the pin configuration. I did not consider that I would receive a cable with a different pin configuration than that found on my detector's cable. To cut to the chase I'm including photos so that you don't make the same mistake I did. Looking at the photos you'll be able to make sure that any cable you buy, whether in person or on the 'net, complies with your detector's pin configuration.

The first photo is of the Land Star's cable pin configuration. The second photo is of one of the purchased cable's pin configuration which is in a semi-circle. NOT compatible!
 
You may still be in luck. Like one of the replies said earlier, CB Shops can do some amazing things. They may be able to do a splice that will let you use the cable you bought and use the connector or your cable that matches your unit.
 
Sorry to hear the cable did not work out...Wow!!!...I did not even think that the pins would be in a different configuration...I thought 5 pin was 5 pin... :surrender:

Hope you can get this worked out....You just may have to take the detector to a shop that can change the plugs or something like Rivermarine1 suggests...


HH,

BH-LandStar
 
Yours and Rivermarine1 are good suggestions that I think I'll give a try. There's an audio/video repair store in my 'hood and I'm friends with the owner and he might do it hopefully for a low price or, hoping, for free. Fortunately, I'm out only $7 and the cable company president told me in an email that he would refund the $2 for the cable but not the $4.95 s&h. I wrote to him to ask him if he had a cable with the pin configuration I needed (sent him these photos) and he said no. Keep on keeping on.

Edward

[quote BH-LandStar]Sorry to hear the cable did not work out...Wow!!!...I did not even think that the pins would be in a different configuration...I thought 5 pin was 5 pin... :surrender:

Hope you can get this worked out....You just may have to take the detector to a shop that can change the plugs or something like Rivermarine1 suggests...


HH,

BH-LandStar[/quote]
 
I had my first Landstar detector many years ago, and I extended the cable to 6 ft I think.

I remember purchasing some cable with the same # of wires from Radio Shack.

Cut a piece of about 3-4 ft.

Transfer the connector that's on the existing cable to one end, then splice the existing cable and the new cable together.

It worked great! I used to throw the control box in my knapsack, and hunt based on the three tones only.

Ken
 
The guys are right. Don't despair and Do NOT give up. You have a great idea. I actually glanced at the ceiling where my Time Ranger is hanging and thought...Yes! By God I will do this too! Then my energy was gone and I knew I would just lug my TR around like always and be happy. I might be young and strong but Iam lazy. You have a great project so don't give up. All of your local 'general contractors' break electrical conectors, cables, etc. We do and we use the local CAT dealer, the International dealer, A-1 coupling, Radio Shack, etc. If one will not fix it/make it for you there will be 10 others who will. Anyway good luck Sir.
Doug in OR
 
Live and learn is a truism! I just had another epiphany while handling the cable I ordered which had the wrong pin configuration. While it may be 6 feet in length, it's not really. This is due to the cable being coiled so one cannot use the full length without serious tugging which defeats the purpose. So now as I look for another cable I know I have to match the pin configuration and the cable has to be straight, not coiled.

The suggestion to splice a cable length is a good one but thinking about the future, if I ever upgrade I might not be able to sell the detector because buyers may be wary of homemade fixes and I would have to wait for that one buyer who might not mind that I messed with the cable. So, I've decided that until I find a proper cable I'll bite the bullet and mount the control box back on the rod and use the detector as designed. I'll switch arms as each one gets tired at which time I may take a break and start again or call it quits for the day. Keep in mind that the weight factor affects me more than most of you young 'uns as I'm 70. In the meantime if any of you become aware of a cable as I described above, bring it to our attention.

I'm not giving up, I'm just putting the idea on a back burner to "simmer."

Golden Silver
 
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