MXT in the water

[JMorgan]

Today I purchased a sand scoop and am planning to go hunting in the river where a lot of civil war action occured now that the water is pretty low. I'm excited about it and was wondering if anybody hunts their MXT in the water and how it performs.

 

[Rob (IL)]

If it is fresh water it will do fine. Just remember if you slip or drop the control box in the water it will be a costly mistake. Also don't make the mistake of raising the coil above the level of the control box. Rob

 

[slapshot]

I use mine in shallow salt water. Just don't drop it or get it wet.

Good luck

 

[Ben Diggen]

Very Good question!!! I use my MXT in fresh water all the time. Yes it is not water proof and will be damaged if dropped in the water. I take the following precautions. Place a large clear plastic bag over the controls and tie it tight around the shaft. It will allow you to use the controls right through the bag. Do the same with the moniter. (this can be used for searching in the rain too) I have a wine bottle cork in the shaft in case I forget and raise the coil too high. I have drooped mine when I stumbled but recovered it fast and had no problem. Another Handy trick is to take a piece of 3/4 pvc pipe the length of the extended shaft and fill it with fine sand and cap the ends. Velcro tie it to your shaft and it will compensate for the coils flotation and you will not have to force the coil down. Good luck!!!

 

[Canewrap]

How do you recover your target? Do you use a scoop and hold your detector up with your left hand to keep it out of the water? I'm considering doing some shallow water work at a Civil War stream crossing and I don't have the money for a dedicated water machine right now, so any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Larry (IL)]

I wanted to add to Rob's comment on raising the coil when wet.............water gets in the rods just from being in the water. When you raise the coil above the control box, water runs back down the hollow rods and could get into the control box through the mounting screws. Cheap insurance for water use is to squeeze some silicon sealer into the upper S rod to stop any drips. More sealer in the screw holes is better yet.

Good luck

 

[Canewrap]

Thanks for the tip on the sealer. I'm going to try the cork stopper idea as well.

 

[Rob (IL)]

I have drooped mine when I stumbled but recovered it fast and had no problem.

And as I said a slip can get expensive. so be careful. I've used a bag at the beach. The bag is not waterproof. Rob