Infuriated

[DFXer]

Fellow relic hunters!

Will someone please get the message to Minelab that, if they want to sell metal detectors to relic hunters, they have to sell them with headphones that have 90 degree jacks with high structural strength. I have now lost two sets of headphones and it's getting infuruating. The straight jack on my SE cannot support any side load before it snaps off, and it snaps while I'm deep in the woods. It just snapped again while I was detecting around a pristine cellar hole that no one had ever detected before.

Anyone who has ever worked around a cellar hole in the woods knows that the headphone cable is going to snag on something and pull the jack sideways. Relic hunting is very different from beach or park hunting and it stresses the equipment to the max.

Electronically the SE is the best metal detector I have ever used but structurally it is poor compared to its peers. I find myself protecting the coil, shafts and jack while I search, something I never did with Fishers and Whites. The 12 inch coil is awesome but it snags on everything. I have already had to make mods to the lower shaft, camlocks and non-rechargeable battery pack.

Instead of coming out with E-Trac, Minelab should have hired some structural design people and introduced a beefed-up ergonomic package.

Can anyone recommend a better set of bullet proof head phones?

Sorry about the rant but I keep thinking about the $1500.

Paul

 

[Jim upstate NY]

I use the Gray Ghost NDT's, and you get an extra cable with them just in case.. they have 90 degree plugs.. no problems with mine..
I gotta say I been relic hunting and woods hunting a long time, I havent had anything break on the detector or coils themselves, except I lost a couple of the metal from the bushings in the cam lock that needed to be replaced... Not sure what 12 inch coil your using, but Sunray has a solid coil cover for theirs that prevents snagging on sticks and brush.. at least they used to, I have one I dont use if your interested and they dont have it anymore.

 

[jbow]

I use the Sun Ray phones and have never had a problem. Never had a problem with the coils either. They do get hung on stuff sometimes but they come loose easy enough.
Did you see the post where someone made coil covers from drum heads, you might try that. You can also, with minimal soldering skills, put an angled plug on your phones.

I may have to try a pair of those GG phones with the replacable cord, that is a great idea.

J

 

[digitrich]

I beat the living hell out of my equipment, and I have to say, they are well made.

 

[mattockman]

n/t

 

[nightsout]

n/t

 

[Nortonics]

How's about a adapter like this:

Built in break-away abilities if snagged hard. Replacement right angle plugs are available too.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

Sometimes right angle is the wrong angle as well if snagged and pulled backwards instead of sideways. You can use a zip tie or other means to secure the chord to the battery housing a few inches from jack and then it will not break or pull out but you may jerk the phones of your head if moving fast like when bees ,snakes or wild animals in pursuit !

 

[Jason in TN]

The head phones that come with the Explorer are junk in my opinion. Get some sunray's and forget about your problems.