I started with a RS/BH 1100, $30 on closeout. Added an "Otterbox" 3500, about $30 and with some minor mods and a little soldering, put the two together and now have an inexpensive wading rig that will produce.
I actually got my Otterbox for free and the spare headphones were a gift, so I've got only about $30 in mine.
[attachment 34538 otter.jpg]
Now the 1100, as a land machine, is, at best, an average performer. But in the water I found the 3 tone audio to be very useful and sensitivity to small items was quite good.
You'll have to trim-off the back inch or two off of the back of the control-housing to get it to fit (I used a band-saw). Silicone is used to seal the cable holes.
[attachment 34539 otteropen.jpg]
We hunted a beach that was pretty well pummelled (we were two of six water-hunters who showed up that morning!). I liked the tone ID on this machine, low signals were invariably iron, while signals that fluctuated between low/med or med/high were worth investigating, as were all solid med or high signals.
I ended up with 6 pieces of jewelry (mostly junk), four coins and assorted trash. The guts stayed dry and the machine seemed to work pretty well!
[attachment 34540 otterloot.jpg]
I can't take credit for the idea, as my hunting bud did it first with a Garrett 150. He's found some really nice jewelry with his rig and a slew of coins.
I'm not suggesting that you throw out your favorite water-rig and get one of these... what I am suggesting, is that you can get into water hunting without spending hundreds of $$$. I have a surf II myself as my main water machine, but had fun using this converted rig all morning and just left the white's in the truck.
The only other mods I added after the hunt was to add an arm strap and poured some lead shot down into the middle rod and plug the shot down so it won't roll around.
HH All!
Skillet
I actually got my Otterbox for free and the spare headphones were a gift, so I've got only about $30 in mine.
[attachment 34538 otter.jpg]
Now the 1100, as a land machine, is, at best, an average performer. But in the water I found the 3 tone audio to be very useful and sensitivity to small items was quite good.
You'll have to trim-off the back inch or two off of the back of the control-housing to get it to fit (I used a band-saw). Silicone is used to seal the cable holes.
[attachment 34539 otteropen.jpg]
We hunted a beach that was pretty well pummelled (we were two of six water-hunters who showed up that morning!). I liked the tone ID on this machine, low signals were invariably iron, while signals that fluctuated between low/med or med/high were worth investigating, as were all solid med or high signals.
I ended up with 6 pieces of jewelry (mostly junk), four coins and assorted trash. The guts stayed dry and the machine seemed to work pretty well!
[attachment 34540 otterloot.jpg]
I can't take credit for the idea, as my hunting bud did it first with a Garrett 150. He's found some really nice jewelry with his rig and a slew of coins.
I'm not suggesting that you throw out your favorite water-rig and get one of these... what I am suggesting, is that you can get into water hunting without spending hundreds of $$$. I have a surf II myself as my main water machine, but had fun using this converted rig all morning and just left the white's in the truck.
The only other mods I added after the hunt was to add an arm strap and poured some lead shot down into the middle rod and plug the shot down so it won't roll around.
HH All!
Skillet