Opinions & Advise Please.......:smile:

[Spanky]

I've been debating on buying a harness system for my detector.

I have whats called a RSI Repetitive Strain Injury my Doc said there is no cure for it and will have to live with with it.

Some days I can go out for 8 hours tecting and have no problems and then other days I can't even lift the detector not to mention even a cup of coffee.

Has anyone used or is using a harness system and if so do you have any advice as to what to look for.

I use the Garret 550 and yes the battery pack is removable and I clip it to my belt but folks I still can't lift the machine when my arm is real bad.Heck I'm right handed (bad arm) & I've been slowly teaching my left to do things different.I was hoping I could rest the right arm on the tector and dig with the left.

When I look at photos of the systems I wonder if I will get tangled up with the straps.....especially when bending down to dig out a coin.

I don't like corded headphones because I always yank them off my head. Last winter I had a tip from John-Edmonton on going wireless and since then I've been wireless to this day...thanks again John.
I'm thinking a harness system might be similar to a corded headphone setup hence the reason I'm asking.

Any advise would be welcomed.

 

[John-Edmonton]

Well, you could get an ACE 250. The large coil will probably exceed the 550 depth. The sniper is a killer in playgrounds. And the ACE 250 is much lighter then your present machine.

I think you may have read this, but it should also appy to your RSI.

"The lower rod on the machine acts like the end of a leaver, with the fulcrum being the elbow. The longer the rod is and the further your hand is from your body, the greater the amount of force (leverage) it exerts on your elbow and shoulder. So, shorten your rod so your swings are not too wide, and maintain a good posture standing straight. This will also keep stress off your lower back and shoulders, two typical weak spots on our body. Now keep your arm tucked in as close to your body, with your biceps and triceps against your rib cage, and turn at the hips slightly with your swings. I tried this method with the GTI 2500, and really had no issues with weight after several hours.

And....don't swing too fast. This can cause injuries to your muscles. Relax, the coins are weighting for you, not the other way around "

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[Spanky]

I was looking at the ACE 250 & told my wife it would be a nice Christmas present.I've read enough posts and seen enough pictures to know its an excellent machine.

Funny thing is I never thought about the fulcrum at the elbow and thats exactly where my pain is. My old machine (before my 550) had no ergonomic arm rest and my arm was always sore at the mid arm spot and not the elbow.You make a lot of sense I might have to start calling you Doc.

You are also right that I have my unit fully extended and I'm guilty
of making wide hard swings.I'll shorten up my unit and try swinging as you described.I'm currently babying my arm till Saturday so I can do a trip to one of my favorite parks out of town.

Bottom line is I may still need to look at a harness if all else fails.

Thanks John

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Spanky. As usual, John has given some sound advice. I would love to swing a high end machine but have the same concerns as you do with them, due to nerve damage to my biceps. When I bought the Ace, I was concerned that it would be a bit difficult to swing, because the first one I tried felt poorly balanced. It was a couple of notches longer than it's shortest length. I was advised to shorten it as much as possible and swing it as close to my feet as was comfortable. Doing that makes a big difference!
I did buy skid plates for both the standard and the large coils, but found that for the large coil at least' it is just too much extra weight to swing. So my advice is, keep the detector free of all extra weight.
One other item you might want to consider, is some sort of electronic probe. This will reduce the amount of probing into the ground that you will have to do.The jarring effect that that can have on you with an injury like that can be very unpleasant.
I think that a harness is a good idea, providing that you are hunting in open areas. If you go bush, then it is just going to get in the way.You can pick them up cheap at an army disposal store.
Hopefully the RSI will settle down if you are able to change what you are doing that stirred it up in the first place. Mind you that can be hard to do.
All the best,
Mick Evans.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Have you tried DMSO on your arm? Works wonders.

Bill

 

[Spanky]

DMSO ? I've tried Tiger Balm.

 

[Spanky]

I will shorten up the length and try it out sounds promising ....thankyou
Probe is a good idea to...don't have one yet and yes the jarring does aggrevate the arm.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Dimethylsulfoxide. Not to long ago it was sold in drugstores for human use but it worked so well and was so cheap that the drug companies made the FDA remove it and re-label it for animal use only. So you'll have to pick it up at a feed store. Comes in liquid or jel. It is absorbed into your body as you apply it. You may notice the taste of clams in your mouth while applying it. It reaches the pain almost instantly.

Another product that was squashed by the drug companies is an ointment my family has used for 100 years. It used to be labeled for human use up until a few years ago when the drug companies exerted their will. It is Corona Salve and is the absolute best for cuts, wounds, and especially burns. It will heal a severe burn and not even leave a scar. When you apply it to a burn you can feel the heat and pain leaving instantly. I have seen it do amazing things. It used to be sold in drugstores but is now in the feed stores.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

You should get a probe like I have. It's a Phillips screwdriver with a 20 inch shank on it. You can stand up and probe with it and it's great for raking the bark chips off a target. No serious bending or squatting. Been thinking about sending one to John to save his poor old back and knees.

Bill

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Bill. With an injury like Spanky has, using a screwdriver that long, means it will have a larger diameter shank, which equals a lot of resistance when you probe the ground. This will cause a lot of pain. I am suggesting that he uses an electronic probe to locate the target so that he doesn't have to probe the ground as often with the screwdriver.
Spanky. If you look at both the pictures I posted a few days ago under the thread of "how do you post a picture" you can see what I am using. It is a flat headed screwdriver. One modification you might want to do to it, is take to the head of the screwdriver with an angle grinder and give it a point so that it will pass through the ground more easily.
Hopefully the injury you have may ease up over time. Doctors tend to be pessimistic by nature, so it never hurts to get a second opinion. Another doctor may be able to offer a solution your first one may not have thought about.This time last year I could bairly hold a detector in my right arm let alone swing it. Thought I'd worked my last day there for a couple of months, and I was only 41. Things do improve even though it may not look like it at the moment. Hang in tight there, and with a lot of rest, it will improve.I've seen a lot of fellas at work suffer those injuries, and they do improve.
All the best.
Mick Evans.