OH NO

[wildherre]

Has anybody else picked up a Explorer or Etrac after using the CTX for a month..Swung a Etrac yesterday for about an hour. Felt the awkwardness immediately, .arm is aching today...A month ago I could have swung it all day.... Was fighting with the headphone cable a bit also.. It don't take long to get spoiled... In my opinion, even if there were no performance advantages, the ergonomics and the waterproofing alone are reason enough to upgrade to a CTX.. Great Detector.. wildherre

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNfBqniTqJA[/video]

 

[HaroldILL.]

That is great to hear as mine will be here Friday. That was one of the main resons I traded in my E-trac as it worn out my already bad shoulder. I think alot of people just don't get how much balance makes a difference. I myself can't wait to find out!

 

[jimzilla]

I was helping a friend with his etrac and I couldnt. Even get comfortable holding it.

 

[grouser]

untill you swing a CTx it is just not imaginable that a 5 pound MD is so easy to swing,,,,, well done ML !!!

 

[Gonehunting]

I agree!!! the Trac although a great machine just felt awkward to use after having the CTX

 

[ramer]

untill you swing a CTx it is just not imaginable that a 5 pound MD is so easy to swing,,,,, well done ML !!!

Directly from the manual:

Detector Weight 5.2 lb (2.34 kg) (with Li-Ion battery installed)
Coil Weight (including Skid plate) 1.4 lb (641 g)

Looks to me like the total weight is 6.6 pounds. Someone put the thing on an accurate scale and post the total weight. Let's keep members accurately informed.
Glad my top of the line detector is only 3.2 pounds. My shoulder being what it is couldn't take much more than that.

 

[Gonehunting]

Until you put it in your hands and swing it for a while, its hard to explain how a heavier balanced detector feels even compared to a lighter unbalanced detector... especially a front heavy one.. more strain on your wrist..

 

[Dr.Deus]

In an open field with no obstructions i can swing the ctx using only my index and middle finger, and my thumb with just a slight grip if that.

 

[Gonehunting]

In an open field with no obstructions i can swing the ctx using only my index and middle finger, and my thumb with just a slight grip if that.

I agree.. it seems like a loose grip works better.. kinda like shooting a bow.. you grip it for very long and your hand hurts..

 

[Dr.Deus]

In an open field with no obstructions i can swing the ctx using only my index and middle finger, and my thumb with just a slight grip if that.

I agree.. it seems like a loose grip works better.. kinda like shooting a bow.. you grip it for very long and your hand hurts..

yeah and when im in an open field i do what gravediggermax did in one of his videos. i extended the shaft all the way out. with a loose grip like you said and a steady low swing. you can cover like 12 feet of ground in one swing back n forth..lol you can eat up alot of ground that way.

 

[Gonehunting]

In an open field with no obstructions i can swing the ctx using only my index and middle finger, and my thumb with just a slight grip if that.

I agree.. it seems like a loose grip works better.. kinda like shooting a bow.. you grip it for very long and your hand hurts..

yeah and when im in an open field i do what gravediggermax did in one of his videos. i extended the shaft all the way out. with a loose grip like you said and a steady low swing. you can cover like 12 feet of ground in one swing back n forth..lol you can eat up alot of ground that way.

Exactly.. I'm Six foot and needed a tall man shaft for the E-trac, but I am at extreme comfort with it extended all the way out and no wobble.. that I like a lot.. there is no wobble unless I find a silver quarter or bigger..

 

[ramer]

Until you put it in your hands and swing it for a while, its hard to explain how a heavier balanced detector feels even compared to a lighter unbalanced detector... especially a front heavy one.. more strain on your wrist..

Some of the places I hunt require a mile walk through trails and woods to get there. 4 or 5 hours of hunting and then the long walk back out. At the end of the day, due to the laws of physics and gravity being what it is, my body will know if I was lugging around a 6.6 pound object or a 3 pound object. Balance is good, but doesn't defy the laws of gravity in the long run. Heavy is heavy.
And my high end machine is also excellently balanced but after a long day I can still feel it in my tired bones. Can't imagine how I'd feel if the weight was more than doubled.

 

[Dr.Deus]

you mean heart murmur..lol Great job by the way on the GREAT BIG SILVERRRRRRRRR. HH on the next search and rescue.

 

[Gonehunting]

Until you put it in your hands and swing it for a while, its hard to explain how a heavier balanced detector feels even compared to a lighter unbalanced detector... especially a front heavy one.. more strain on your wrist..

Some of the places I hunt require a mile walk through trails and woods to get there. 4 or 5 hours of hunting and then the long walk back out. At the end of the day, due to the laws of physics and gravity being what it is, my body will know if I was lugging around a 6.6 pound object or a 3 pound object. Balance is good, but doesn't defy the laws of gravity in the long run. Heavy is heavy.
And my high end machine is also excellently balanced but after a long day I can still feel it in my tired bones. Can't imagine how I'd feel if the weight was more than doubled.

I totally understand.. I have a detector that I pack up for long trips like that.. I have a spot just like you are describing that is where I find my military buttons but it is a very strenuous walk.. My hat feels heavy after that trip..lol
I get what you are saying.. Most of my hunts are in town and thats when I use the CTX..

you mean heart murmur..lol Great job by the way on the GREAT BIG SILVERRRRRRRRR. HH on the next search and rescue.

lol thanks DR D. yeah I was a little on the light headed side there for the rest of the day...thanks again.

 

[josephloot]

Probably the best balanced detector I've ever held, but you can REALLY feel the weight once you have to push it through the Water or long Grass!! Balance doesn't help in those situations!

 

[earthmansurfer]

Probably the best balanced detector I've ever held, but you can REALLY feel the weight once you have to push it through the Water or long Grass!! Balance doesn't help in those situations!

I had a Deus, which is super light so it's ok balance isn't really noticed. But pushing it through the grass was near impossible - You need weight to keep the momentum going or it's all from your arm.
The CTX goes through grass MUCH easier. I never hunted water but thought the same was true?

Ramer - I agree as well. I pack up the CTX on my bike and I feel that in my backpack compared to when I had my Deus. You feel the weight of the CTX when you pick it up and carry it, but swinging it is ok. I don't feel pain in my back at the 3 hour mark, did with the E-Trac. I do feel it a bit more in my shoulder, probably due to having to carry the weight.

Interesting - I am using the CTX at times with a longer shaft as a few here have said. It just seems easier than the E-Trac was for me - had to have that shaft short and at my feet, to take the weight off my back.

Albert