IMPORTANT!!!! IMPORTANT!!!!.................

[James/Washington]

Now that I have your attention, I would like to address the problem that most of us are having with the Xretta serries detectors. I have been using my Xterra-70 for well over two years now and I have had this problem with the detector turning off as well. I have also tugged on the springs to stretch them out but I have discovered something that I feel IS 'important' enough that I feel needs to be addressed.

I have noticed that when my detector starts to 'turn itself off' that I have used the detector for many hours and the battery indicator is showing the batteries to be low. The last three or four times that the detector turned itself off, I replaced the batteries and the problem was solved. What I am asking, or trying to say is that everyone needs to notice when their detector turns itself off and if replacing the batteries helps to rid the problem.

The Xterra detectors really do last a long time on a set of batteries. I haven't put a watch to mine, but I'll say that right at 35 hours is about normal battery life. Maybe this detector is just shutting down when the batteries will no longer keep it going and maybe not. Another brand I had would give a signal when the batteries got low but I haven't had this happen with the Xterra.

Maybe we can post here just what each of us find and determine if the springs really are weak or that our batteries are just too low to run the detector. Maybe you have put in new batteries and are still having shut down problems but by posting just how your detector is acting, maybe we can come up with a good answer here. I just find it interesting that when I change my batteries the detector quits shutting down until the new batteries get weak.

Otherwise, I really do love this detector and just can't wait until the new coils come out. I find that it does everything I ask of it and it does it very well.

 

[bfodnes]

The terra is also giving signals when low on power. I have only used duracells, energizers and other expensive brands in the terra along with Varta 2700 rechargables.

What I have noticed is that it is taking forever to get it down from 2 batterybars to one, but not so long to the alarm goes off from there.

It might well be as you state that cheap batteries goes the last step too fast for the detector to alert you. Some batteries have very low power pour too.

Its for someone to investigate, maybe one that had the problems even if its Minelabs responsability.

 

[NH Bob]

I have a tendency to agree with James. I think an honest look at what you feel are the causes for your machine acting the way it does is the best place to start. If we do this as a group then the proof is in the pudding so to speak.

 

[NH Bob]

n/t

 

[kaustin]

I have been using the new panasonic batteries that have less then 5 hrs on them. No problems until the other day the XT50 shut down 6-7 times, mostly when it was laid on its left side while diggin a target. Only once when in the normal up right position. When I got home I took the battries out clean the terminals and reinserted them and has not turned off again. So.. it does seem to be a power problem with connections.
Sent ML an email and they said send it in with coil and they would chk her out.

 

[rellikusmc]

my detector was sent in for repairs but the problem seems to me to be poor contact with terminals laying it to one side and or removing/ placing the headphones in the jack has nothing to do with lets say low battery levels but for sake of matter instead of just powering down don't you believe low power alarm would sound just my thought lets hear the others Pat

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

I personally think that Minelab should just fix the problem. I have not heard of any other detector on the market ever doing this. We shouldn't have to adjust as to which batteries to use, just to try and stop this from happening. Mine was shutting off everytime that I put it down on it's stand to check a target.
This is a ridiculous problem of which I'm astounded that Minelab seems to want to allow to keep happening. They should figure the problem out (should have done so before release, given how common it has occurred) have a product recall and fix the problem for once and for all. As a result I'm an inch away from continuing to use their products. Which is a shame really. I love my X-Terra when it works, but I cannot continue to support a company that treats it's costumers so badly.
Mick Evans.

 

[Bugar In. USA]

I been usin rechargables and have no problems at all, mebbe i'm just lucky

 

[NH Bob]

n/t

 

[RonNH]

Maybe the battery indicator is off just a little and when it reads 1/4 charge, it's closer to zero. I have not had my machine shut down..yet. I am still amazed that the batteries will last as long as they do, they sure as heck don't last that long in a camera and a detector is much bigger..although it doesn't have moving parts. Ron

 

[Elton]

It seems very simple to me..Minelab knows which machines have the problems..It may just be a certain serial number run. When the warranty card goes in send out a call tag for UPS for a return to the repair department. Fix it with parts that are not of the same as original manufacture, return the machine repaired. Minelab looks good, we are all happy...we buy more machines as they come out.Minelab are you reading these posts?. You have a problem it's way more than should be. Not just a couple of machines......Minelab, you have a problem. Step up.....We all want to believe in you, and, your sometimes great products.Once we do not think of a machine as reliable it's hard trusting it......

 

[KurtB]

When they fix the battery problem they can also put a stand on it that wont let it fall over every time you set it down. Mine only shuts off when it falls over. And it does that a lot. Other than those two things it's a great machine.

 

[Elton]

Yes it is...the small things get annoying.........That must cause the batteries to loose contact..and that tells me maybe not long enough or strong enough contact springs...a simple fix with the right parts.

 

[bfodnes]

Maybe not luck.

Seems like the folks using rechargables dont have it happen so often.

The ones having the problem never states what type battery they use.

Good alkalines starts at 1.5 volts and end at around 0.8 volts, maybe some types dont follow this rule and drops below 0.8 from 1.0 in no time at life end.

Rechargables starts at 1.2 and drops much faster at the end but still more equal it seems. Rechargables are never too cheap to be very bad either.

Seems like the batteryspring problem isnt the whole issue.

I will try to obtain some of the worst batterys around and see what happens, I have never had the 70 to fail this way.

Can someone try to find a battery brand test page or similar...

 

[B.T]

Mybe just a touch too much room for movement, slight shift by a mill or two, split second loss of contact and shutdown?

 

[mtpockets]

Just a Thought....

is it Possible that as you set the unit down,, That your finger,Knuckle,etc.. Just so happens too hit the Power button?

I use a SE and have noticed that when I set the unit down at times it will go into noise cancel mode...bcause my knuckle hit the button by mistake..

Just a Thought..

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

bfodnes.
The last batteries I used in the X-Terra were Eveready alkalines. With those it shut down every single time I put the detector on the ground. I usually use Duracell 2400 rechargables. They don't shut down any where near as often, but they do shut down even with them. My hand was nowhere near the off switch when I put it down. Last time I sent my detector back to Minelab, they replaced the battery housing. So it is quite clear they they still haven't addressed the problem. It should be a very easy problem to fix, but they are not interested. I have never heard of any other detector on the market doing this.
So why don't they want to get it right. After ticking us customers off, they are also hurting there dealers who will respond by promoting other machines. Why would you sell a detector that has problems, when you have a choice.
Mick Evans.

 

[bfodnes]

Mick.

Dont misunderstand me, I have no doubt there is a problem that they should work on. However the batteries may cause problems in some of the cases.

Also the terras operate on low voltage and concern should also be focused at the regulators not only the springs.

If the regulators fail or is of poor quality, things may go wrong.

I am trying to make some of you check that on some of the detectors that fail.

If good quality batteries fail too it could be some of the voltage regulating electronics that is faulty or even a sensor measuring wrong voltage. Overfocus on battery springs may not do things better....

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

bfodnes, Sorry if I sound a bit rough at the moment. I'm not directing any displeasure toward you. I'm not going to pretend to be happy with minelab, however, to help answer your question, I was giving the information both you and others in this thread were asking. If minelab want to take it on board then some good may have come of it. They are reading it.
Like I said, I actually like the machine when it works properly, but I haven't experienced that for some time. It's not as effective as the Ace, but still a nice machine to use.
To have to send a detector in 3 times for the same problem, They clearly have a problem.
I'm glad you have your thinking cap on. Interesting comments about the regulators.
I'm not knowledgeable with electronics, so I'm not going to get into physical causes, but a problem like this would have to be at the most base level. How hard can it be to remedy.
Given what I have experienced from this company, I'm not inspired to go rushing out at their next 'great' offering.
Mick Evans.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

With one battery stacked on another, the two tend to flex at the middle. Lay the Xterra flat and turn it slowly and you can hear the batterys move in the battery holder. I have slid a piece of thick paper that goes half way around the batterys in the holder after I put in new batterys and this stops the movement. Don't use to thick of paper or you cannot get the batterys to drop out when changing them. Some batterys are thicker in diameter and will not move as much in the holder when the detector is laid down. My Xterra has not shut down since I did this.