How about a modified Red Heat Tornado

[azsh07]

While the Tornado is a very good detector in performance the build quality was weak in my opinion. The pots were failing from dirt intrusion and the original rod was weak and flimsy.

Basically I started with a new style of conductive plastic enclosures. These provide full EMI protection like the older metal boxes used to yet are light and easy to work with like traditional plastic enclosures. however they are not cheap, this one ran about $35.00.
Next i replaced all pots with Vishay waterproof pots. These are %100 sealed from water and dirt....they run about $15.00 each.
I added an extrernal watertight speaker from an older Whites I had, as the Red Heats do not have a speaker....a real bummer if you forget phones.
For a battery I ordered a 2200 MAH LiPo battery with special charger for it. Will last longer than the 8xAA's. I ordered a 14 volt LiPO and then ran it through a voltage regulator to drop it to 12.1. You may ask why not just get a 12volt LiPo..? Well they don't make em....either it is 11.1 or 14.2 volts.
Anyway I did my custom graphics as usual, painted the box and mounted it all on a setup from a Whites Classic ID.
Now it is a good beafy setup and still leightweight. It is not waterproof but rather weatherresistant....which is all I want for NH weather. The toggles are not watertight but rain will not bother them anyway.
Have not done one of my mods for years....probably won't again for a few years...I had to as this Tornado had issues.
scott

 

[Carolina Phil]

n/t

 

[kered]

Looks great, the 11.1 lipos would have done as the have 12.6v when charged, i have some on my Sov XS2aPro

 

[azsh07]

....oh well...next time!!

 

[Woodstock]

Hey Scott~ Great work! Looks awesome. Can I ask how you did the control knob labeling? Did you do it yourself? I looks like it's printed on a clear sheet and then applied to the box. Or did you paint it on? I'd like to know as much as possible because I have some detector refurbishing projects on the side and want the control labeling to look as good as yours, any help from you or your source would be great! You do great work! HH Woodstock

 

[azsh07]

I make them myself. I use Avery clear label sheets available at any Office Max or office super store. I draw them up in Paint. I make the labels first THEN drill the holes.
The label material will fade over time if not clear coated ( the label material will hold up to a poly clear coat)so....I clear coat the whole thing with a ClearCoat to protect the labels, If I use a clear enclosure then I print them in mirror image and put them underneath the cover and of course they will now be in the correct orientation.
Took many mods to get it down right although once I found what worked it was simple to do.
Now you have to be careful as to what colors you use and WHAT the color of the background is ( enclosure color)....so puting it on a black colored case some of the colors will sorta fade out...like white. Which is why i painted the case here Hammered Metal Silver....and why i always use a light colored case.
Also when you print....and your prompt comes up for your printer...go under preferences and look at your choices for paper type and color. Test on some paper which paper type gives you the richest colors...do not choose transparencies as it comes out the weakest of colors. I think I use one of the photo paper choices like Glossy Photo. Then choose the highest quality color option you can. Doing this will give you the deep rich colors you see in the side Madd MAxx label....otherwise you will end up with something about half as rich in colors.
Scott

 

[Woodstock]

Thank you very much Scott. I will do this and learn from your advice as I go. Happy Trails, Woodstock