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Minelab PUH-LEASE develop an inline probe!!

S

silversweeper

New member
I sure do wish Minelab would develop an inline probe for the CTX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sometimes find myself going back to the van to get my etrac just because it's so nice to have the inline probe when trying to find a good target in a hole with bits and pieces of metal trash. Not to mention the aggravation of reaching for and turning on a belt hung pinpointer every time I dig a target. So much more convenient to flip a switch on the shaft of my detector and use a pinpointer that even gives me a headphone signal corresponding to my target discrimination.
 
The other day I decided to remove the Sunray to put my etrac at it's best fighting weight. I used a Propointer for what seemed to be forever. It took just under an hour to go back and slap the Sunray on. Now on the other hand I do use the hand help pinpointer to "zero" in on targets I already spotted with the Sunray as not to scratch potential oldies. I think they work well together. With the 3030's wireless capabilities Minelab should develop a wireless pinpointer.
 
100% yes on both fronts. It's ridiculous that this hasn't been officially incorporated into the design.
 
I feel your pain! I keep reaching to flip the switch back to coil when I finish a dig. Got a Kennedy half today and it was deep. Was a bouncer and had iron close by. Almost gave up on it because I thought it was a deep nail. I sure missed my Sunray probe today :angry:
 
it sounds like you guys need to attend a couple inline probe anonymous meetings. :rofl:

seriously though I would be awful tempted to get one if they came out with it. In the meantime I will have to make do with my Detectorpro UniProbe.
 
From what I have been told it can't be done. Minelab has software and tech in the coil that they can't release. FBS 2 really makes a difference on the Minelab CTX 3030! Love that machine!
 
They can do it, they can do it!!!!!!!! WE GOTTA have that in-line probe!!-----An 8" coil would be GREAT to!-----Wouldn't (at least) one more bin be wonderful also! (I'm serious)--------Back to the probe, we REALLY DO need one!!!!!!!
 
I'm a firm believer in "never say never". But establishing and maintaining digital communication between the microprocessor and a microchip in smart coil technology (CTX 3030 or X-TERRA) is far different than switching Xmt and Rcv pairs from one coil to another (probe being basically a small coil) with an external mounted toggle switch and a stack of contacts. Especially if you want to retain the waterproof capabilities, as in the case of the CTX.
To make it physically happen, you would have to disconnect the communication link between the coil and the CTX, connect a digital link between the probe and the CTX, then the microprocessor in the CTX would have to establish a new communication link with the probe. The probe would then have to establish its operational parameters, based on the information provided to, and received from, the microprocessor in the CTX. Once the parameters were established, the probe would become a small coil.
When you were done using the probe and wanted to switch back to the CTX coil, you would have to physically disconnect the communication link between the probe and the CTX , reestablish the digital communication link between the coil and the CTX, allow the CTX and coil to synchronize and reestablish new operational parameters, based on the information traded back and forth between the microprocessor in the CTX and the microchip in the coil. Once the links were established and parameters set, the coil would be ready for use. How long would this process of activating and deactivating an inline probe take? :shrug:

As far as making a wireless probe... again, I never say never. But don't lose sight of the fact that only the audio circuit is wireless in the CTX. The coil requires a hardwired digital link. JMHO HH Randy
 
I have been using the Uniprobe since the CTX came out... I don't think I would even be interested in a add on probe for the CTX at this point.... The uniprobe gives me great depth, sound in the headphones and can be used with all of my detectors... I can understand the disappointment if you are trying to use a Pro Pointer or Pro Find.... I would like to be able to view the clock and assign tones where I want them.... Oh, and a more viewable screen with some color options..... wildherre

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Maybe we don't need a hardwired probe! Maybe we just need a wireless probe that would have different tones and interface with the wireless module. Might be simpler and easier to do as I would imagine there would have to be considerable hardware changes internally in order to hook up a 'smart' probe. If it were wireless it would be a lot lighter, no switches, now cables, etc.. Push the button on the probe and it bypasses the 3030 input.
 
Minelab might even consider a new wireless headphone module that replaces our existing one with a manual switch to-or auto switching when required, to an extra inbuilt receiver, for either their version of a wireless inline probe or somebody else's. or allowing a hardwired inline probe to plug into that same module.

That usb port, on the back of the control head of the CTX looks like a contender for either hard wired or maybe even a wireless module connection and I've always imagined it might be the best placed location for such.

Hope that we do get an inline probe or the connection possibility for one.

david di
 
We are struggling to get updates for the current machine, doubt they are thinking about new wireless modules and in line probes.
 
I might get the wireless probe but I actually have 2 in line probes that I used on my etrac and Quattro (back up detector) and took them off and switched to garrett hand held.My personal opinion recovery time is much faster with hand held garrett.So that said I have 2 available for those etracers I need.
 
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