ML Xterra Elite Carbon Fiber Shaft

[Suncoast Kid]

I recently received the Elite and really love the performance of the detector. I would like to find a three piece telescopic carbon fiber shaft, but the upper is sort of square shaped with four radiuses, so the pod attachment appears to be different than the Equinox 700/900.
I know it hasn't been out that long, so it might take a while to see aftermarket products.

 

[Suncoast Kid]

I thought about it, but really didn't notice until I used it while diving in a short length, and the aluminum upper and middle shaft took away the sensitivity of the coil. When fully extended like hunting terrain or wading, it probably would have little affect on the performance.

 

[KindManTall]

A Vanquist lower rod works on the XTP XTE

 

[Suncoast Kid]

That's good to know. I need the upper shafts as well.

 

[fwcrawford]

The shaft assembly on my XTP is not aluminum are you stating the one on your Elite is?

 

[Suncoast Kid]

I'm assuming aluminum. It's cold to the touch, and my Pinpointer goes off on the upper and middle shafts, so it's definitely metal, unfortunately.

 

[fwcrawford]

I'm assuming aluminum. It's cold to the touch, and my Pinpointer goes off on the upper and middle shafts, so it's definitely metal, unfortunately.

I’ll check the shaft on mY XTP and let you know what I find..

 

[Suncoast Kid]

Thanks, I was guessing when I said Aluminum. I'm looking into it.
It seems to be a problem with the aftermarket shaft makers that the shaft is of a square shape, when most of their carbon fiber shafts are round.
If I had access to a machine shop, I'd probably be on a mill machining a piece for a round shaft, so the pod would fit and lock with its cam lock. I'm sure someone will come up with something.

 

[fwcrawford]

Thanks, I was guessing when I said Aluminum. I'm looking into it.
It seems to be a problem with the aftermarket shaft makers that the shaft is of a square shape, when most of their carbon fiber shafts are round.
If I had access to a machine shop, I'd probably be on a mill machining a piece for a round shaft, so the pod would fit and lock with its cam lock. I'm sure someone will come up with something.

I just checked the shaft on my XTP and it is also cold to the touch like metal.. it looks like plastic though.. I have no idea what it is made of, but sure it is exactly like yours.
Maybe some type of coating over aluminum.

 

[Suncoast Kid]

It could be Zinc for all I know. I knew it didn't come with a carbon fiber shaft, and figured it was a heavier material like Nylon or something, but I never thought it would be metal.
I love the detector, with the only thing being the shaft.

 

[Suncoast Kid]

I asked Minelab if there is a carbon fiber shaft for the Xterra Elite and they stated that the shaft for the Equinox 700/900 will work for it.
I saw a dealer over in Europe selling the 700/900 Carbon Fiber Shafts, and stated that they would work for the Elite, but I just wanted to verify before posting.
That's great.

 

[fwcrawford]

I asked Minelab if there is a carbon fiber shaft for the Xterra Elite and they stated that the shaft for the Equinox 700/900 will work for it.
I saw a dealer over in Europe selling the 700/900 Carbon Fiber Shafts, and stated that they would work for the Elite, but I just wanted to verify before posting.
That's great. View attachment 69585

Frankly I do not believe this… the shaft for the 700/900 is round… unlike your XTE.. and my XTP..

 

[Suncoast Kid]

I was thinking the same thing. The diameter of the 700/900 shaft would have to be the same thickness (Y), as the square part of the Elite upper shaft for the pod Cam Lock to lock properly, and when you put a circle inside a square, you'll have real estate on the sides of the shaft, I would think.
Unfortunately, I don't have a 700/900 shaft to measure the diameter, in relation to the X, Y, dimensions of the square hole in the Elite pod handle.
I'll have to dig deeper, and maybe someone has the shaft that can give the diameter.
Time to get the calipers out.

 

[Suncoast Kid]

They mention a bracket on the Nox shaft that the Elite pod locks on to. I have to look into this further. Maybe I can find some Specs.

 

[fwcrawford]

I am not even sure of the 600/800 pod will work on the 700/900 shaft assembly… I do know that the lower shafts will not interchange between those two models.
The diameters are different.

 

[JimmyCT]

I was thinking the same thing. The diameter of the 700/900 shaft would have to be the same thickness (Y), as the square part of the Elite upper shaft for the pod Cam Lock to lock properly, and when you put a circle inside a square, you'll have real estate on the sides of the shaft, I would think.
Unfortunately, I don't have a 700/900 shaft to measure the diameter, in relation to the X, Y, dimensions of the square hole in the Elite pod handle.
I'll have to dig deeper, and maybe someone has the shaft that can give the diameter.
Time to get the calipers out.

I was thinking the same thing. The diameter of the 700/900 shaft would have to be the same thickness (Y), as the square part of the Elite upper shaft for the pod Cam Lock to lock properly, and when you put a circle inside a square, you'll have real estate on the sides of the shaft, I would think.
Unfortunately, I don't have a 700/900 shaft to measure the diameter, in relation to the X, Y, dimensions of the square hole in the Elite pod handle.
I'll have to dig deeper, and maybe someone has the shaft that can give the diameter.
Time to get the calipers out.

This photo is the upper rod that holds the 900 control pod.

This photo is the lower rod to the 900

Hope this helps

 

[Suncoast Kid]

OK, back to this. I received the ML three piece replacement carbon fiber shafts for the Equinox 700/900, and it fits perfectly on the Elite. On the upper shaft, it has a fixed base on the shaft that the Elite pod fits perfectly onto, with the four screws, so the only thing is that it can't be adjusted like on the Elite shaft, but not a big deal.
If you decide to go this route, don't forget to get a 700/900 arm cuff as well.
It solved the problem, works perfectly, giving me back the sensitivity that was expected.

 

[fwcrawford]

OK, back to this. I received the ML three piece replacement carbon fiber shafts for the Equinox 700/900, and it fits perfectly on the Elite. On the upper shaft, it has a fixed base on the shaft that the Elite pod fits perfectly onto, with the four screws, so the only thing is that it can't be adjusted like on the Elite shaft, but not a big deal.
If you decide to go this route, don't forget to get a 700/900 arm cuff as well.
It solved the problem, works perfectly, giving me back the sensitivity that was expected.
View attachment 70517
View attachment 70516

Thanks for the update!!!

 

[Confetrit]

I recently received the Elite and really love the performance of the detector. I would like to find a three piece telescopic carbon fiber shaft, but the upper is sort of square shaped with four radiuses, so the pod attachment appears to be different than the Equinox 700/900.
I know it hasn't been out that long, so it might take a while to see aftermarket products.

Suncoast Kid, how do you like the Xterra Elite overall as far as build quality and performance? I have really been looking at the Elite for a while now, but I'm sort of at a cross roads here as to what to do. I presently have a minelab Safari and I really like this detector, but I have been looking at the Elite as far as performance and the weight.

 

[Suncoast Kid]

I really do like it, especially with the addition of the carbon fiber shaft, lighter weight and better sensitivity. It's a turn on and go machine, with unbelievable performance for the money (Multi IQ).
- 1 iron reject is a nice feature. I've had the unit underwater with no problems.
The only thing that bothers me is 3 settings for the recovery speed. I think they should have gave us at least 5. I leave it on 2.
The same with only one single frequency (15 KHz), It would have been nice with maybe three frequencies, like 8, 15, 30 KHz? No prospecting here in Florida, so I don't need that mode or more bells and whistles, as I use this mainly for water hunting, salt water at the beach. I don't hunt any deeper than what the detector is rated for. I do prefer the Nox 11" Coil to get the most out of it, and sometimes use the Nox 6" because that's one of my favorites. Overall I'm very happy with it.
If I need any more than that, like hunting on land, I go to the Manticore.