Patriot meter

[Old California]

About a year ago, bought one of Joe Patrick's Patriot meters. Joe was selling this particular meter for a friend of his, although having a Sovereign couldn't use the meter because my only sovereign is waterproof.

Recently made a trade for a GT with Kevin from California, the GT is my first upper end Sovereign model. Having owned many Sovereign's somehow never picked up a GT.

The Patriot meter is by far the best Sovereign meter I have ever owned, both a joy to use and easy to setup. After calibrating the coil to the meter, the meter retains these sittings even after turning off the machine.

First time out with the GT using the Patriot meter, rounded up two silvers not old silver but silver none the less. No wheat back pennies but one of the nickels was from the late forties, going to hit this school ground again looks like it may give up a few more keepers.

Thanks for looking and thank you Kevin for making the trade.

Paul (Ca)

 

[JASONSPAZ1]

Wow Awesome. Now like Sunray, I bet those Patriot meters are a thing of the past. I figure now would be the time for Mr Patrick and/or the folks from Sunray to offer a new meter since the Minelab meters are gone the way of the Unicorn as well. In the end my new Ron's meter looks to be just fine for my Sovereign GT meter needs.

HH
Jason

 

[BeachBum007]

Anyone ever put a meter on a excal? I have already done headphone and remote PP mod to mine...plan on using water proof connectors for a WOT mod also...I only wet sand hunt and maybe up to my knees, so i wouldny be worried about it being water proof...i know i probably should havr bought a sov. Gt...but ill be happy with a tricked out excal...any thoughts....? Thanks

 

[Critterhunter]

I would guess that the Excal doesn't have the meter output electronics on the circuit board. The Sovereign produces a voltage signal outputted to the coil connector for the conductivity of the target. I doubt Minelab would bother to put that part of the electronics on an Excal's motherboard since it would be a waste of money.

 

[BeachBum007]

That answers that...thanks...lol

 

[Old California]

Hello beachbum,

I think it is possible, you will need to connect the meter between the two connectors you add onto the excalibur coil cable when adding a coil.

Should work,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Old California]

Thanks Jason,

Your Rons meter is all you need, I've seen them and they work well.

Even without a meter, the Sov is one fine machine.

Thanks again,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Darkflamedesign]

Very lucky , they are tough to find.

 

[BeachBum007]

Thanks paul...i will look into it...!

 

[Ism]

How is it attached to the grip?

 

[Old California]

Here's a picture of the Patriot meter on the GT handle, the Patriot meter did come with a connector that fastens the meter to the handle portion above the foam grip but instead went with a different connection.

Instead of using the connector went directly from the meter to the upper portion of the handle, drilled out a hole through the top handle and used a nut & bolt to fasten the meter to the handle.

Paul (Ca)

 

[Old California]

I really lucked out finding this Patriot meter, Joe Patrick was selling this particular meter for a friend and it had the upgrades.

Bought it about a year ago but it was't until recently picked up a GT, it's a neat meter can't see myself going back without one.

Paul (Ca)

 

[Ism]

Here's a picture of the Patriot meter on the GT handle, the Patriot meter did come with a connector that fastens the meter to the handle portion above the foam grip but instead went with a different connection.

Instead of using the connector went directly from the meter to the upper portion of the handle, drilled out a hole through the top handle and used a nut & bolt to fasten the meter to the handle.

Paul (Ca)

Thanks Paul.
I am working on my own custom meter and was curious if there were other alternatives to attaching my box to the handle. (one of my options was the same as yours). I went with the pictured option. My final box may need to be bigger than the small one pictured but it will house the meter and 9v battery. The part I used to attach the box is from the back of an industrial 120v extension plug for clamping the cable. But its not a practical solution, I just happened to have some spare parts lying around.
Ran

 

[Critterhunter]

Either Rick or Ron (I forget) gave me the tip for using a pipe hanger from a home improvement store to mount the stock meter on top of the bike end bar I use for a grip. It also works well for mounting a meter on the shaft. I just attached the V-clip to it and was all set.

 

[Old California]

Thanks Ran for sharing your meter attachment, I like that allot with you using the industrial 120v extension plug.

What type of meter are you using? Nine volt battery has me curious as to what type of volt meter you are using, Appreciate you sharing your mod.

Yesterday, kind of did a minor change to my Patriot meter eliminating the cable running from the meter to the Sov housing. Now, All different size coils bypass and connect directly to the Sov housing and I think even the SEF coil will work as well. One of these day will pick up an SEF coil and see if it'll work, I think it will with the way I've wire the Patriot meter to the GT.

Will post a pic of the Patriot meter without the excess coil cable, Now the coil cable mounts directly to the control housing.

Anyway, Thanks again for sharing your meter attachment. The mounting looks strong and secure.

Paul (Ca)

 

[Old California]

Thanks Critterhunter for the meter attachment tip, Always looking for old and fresh ideas for future mods.

Amazing how the Sovereign still to this day for certain types of hunting can out detect most of the top end detectors of today, Amazing detector for sure.

Thanks again,
Paul (Ca)

 

[Buried Crap NJ]

Here's a picture of the Patriot meter on the GT handle, the Patriot meter did come with a connector that fastens the meter to the handle portion above the foam grip but instead went with a different connection.

Instead of using the connector went directly from the meter to the upper portion of the handle, drilled out a hole through the top handle and used a nut & bolt to fasten the meter to the handle.

Paul (Ca)

Nice Job Paul, I might just have to mount mine the same way. I just picked one up and if I can ask a question. I have only just put the new meter on the detector and read through the manual. I headed out to the back yard. What I have seemed to notice is I don't have a threshold with the meter attached. I either have a target or a null. Hope that makes sense. If I go over iron i get the light and the null followed by the growl than complete silence once the coil is moving again till I either hit a non ferrous or ferrous target. The next signal will be clear and the meter will indicate correctly.I have about 1/2 hour with this meter so i might have something not right. Not sure if I set the coil up correct yet either? If you have any clue what I am doing wrong let me know
.BCNJ

 

[Old California]

Hello BCNJ,

That is interesting you Sov has this issue with the Patriot meter, Doesn't sound right hope it's a minor issue. Somehow feels like I may have encountered what you're experiencing one time and can't remember if it was with the Patriot meter or something I did once before.

I don't know if the coil calibration has something to do this this, And if you haven't already done the Auto-Coil calibration start there using a nickel and quarter for the calibration. Also, Could you have bumped the threshold/silent switch?

Plus, Try running it without the Iron indicator feature using the off position. And again after the calibration.

This is not related to the issue you are having but one thing I do know is without a proper calibration zinc pennies will sometimes read as a copper penny/dime target, Calibration is very important. Plus, Once the calibration is set never have to recalibrate again even after turning off the detector for long periods.

Please keep us posted, Let's hope it's a minor overlooked issue.
Paul (Ca)

 

[Buried Crap NJ]

Thanks I seem to thing I had a simular issue wit a 5in coil and threshold.I really need to get away from the backyard.
If I read it correctly each time I change the coil I need to recalibrate. I hope to give it a check out tonight at the local park. i'll let you all know what happens. BCNJ