How cold is too cold for the X-terra 705

[techdetect]

Just had a curious question. I have seen several people detecting in the winter time and I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't damage my detector. At what temperature should I start to worry? What steps should I take to protect the box. What about condensation on the internal components? Is it likely that condensation will accumulate going in and out of a warm vehicle?

Thanks for your comments.

 

[chuckciao]

Good Question! Although I can't give you and answer to your question. I have noticed that the buttons tend to stick in temps. below 45 F. I bought a cover for the box and it has helped somewhat.

 

[mapper65]

I've been out detecting very close to, if not below freezing with no adverse reactions. If you are someone that uses rechargeable batteries, I would suggest using regular Energizer or Duracell batteries when it's cold being that they typically don't hold hip very well at low temperatures.

 

[Heelgrasper]

According to the X-Terra 70 manual: Storage temperature - 4 to 149 F (-20 to 65 Celcius) and operating temperature 32 to 113 F (0 to 45 Celcius). Large parts of the year I have my detector in my car but I usually take it in from it in the summer when the sun can get the temperature in the car above 40 Celcius and in the winther when the temperature drops to 0 Celcius or lower. But I haven't had problems when I forget it. However, the batteries might drain if it's left in a cold car in the winther.

 

[techdetect]

I found a little about the electrolytic capacitors that can cause issues as suggested by the manual. Found it in an electronic tutorial page.

"Changes in temperature around the capacitor affect the value of the capacitance because of changes in the dielectric properties. If the air or surrounding temperature becomes to hot or to cold the capacitance value of the capacitor may change so much as to affect the correct operation of the circuit. The normal working range for most capacitors is -30

 

[jreb]

It may be wrong but I have dug at 20 degrees F

 

[7centsworth]

I hunt all year long and I have hunted in 30 degree weather and the ground would be froze. I have never had any problems.

 

[MT_VertCaver]

I used mine at 0F last winter. It was new to me then. I think I'll wait for warmer weather this year.

 

[hotrod53]

The better question is how cold is too cold for a DETECTORIST! If the ground isn't frozen, dig it up! The ground will freeze long before it is too cold to operate the detector! Mother Nature will let you know when the season is open ....

 

[EOS]

Ha, I was out last week in -4 Celsius and the ground was like concrete..very tough to work through.But there was finds,but I really only dug the signals I was sure would be nice stuff.. Terra 705 worked great in this cold conditions!
Hand warmer was a great thing to have.

Mike

 

[hotrod53]

+1 ... chemical hand warmers in the gloves are a must, they are cheap and they last all day! I have actually made finds that I couldn't dig and I had to come back to figure out what it was. Talk about mental torture ...

 

[EOS]

Know what you talking about Hotrod!!
Cant wait to spring....

 

[larryk56]

Gee....I have a hard enough time getting the frost
off my windshield in the morning.

Digging in winter! .... not for me!

That's why God invented airplanes and
warmer places to see!

Happy Holidays!
Larry

 

[pilot]

The only thing I would worry about is the membrane switches maybe cracking if the plastic gets too cold and brittle!

Kim