problems

[markg]

I've had my Etrac for about two years now.
Love this machine dearly.
Finally feel I've learned the machine very well and can say it has found a lot of good treasures.
But a few weeks ago I started noticing my wrist would start hurting after a couple hours of hunting. Tried to ignore the pain but it has just about got me. Now I'm noticing my right shoulder is starting to hurt along with my wrist. Not a good sign of future problems to come. I hate the swingy thing and can't imagine using it to keep the machine. I've been doing some extra exercises and it seems to help but it's not fixed my problems. Really hate to sell the machine but it looks like I'll have to go to a lighter machine. Now I must add something to the equation, my age. At age 55 I wonder just how long I can make it before the machine goes up for sale or trade. Now I can switch to a smaller coil and it does help so that might be my only option to keep the machine.
Now for a question:
From any experience you guys or gals have in the coil choices. What coil has helped make the machine feel lighter?

 

[ohio mike]

The etrac killed my forearms and wrists also. I found myself switching arms every 10 minutes or so on an extended hunt. That was one of the main reasons I sold it.
On another note I went ahead and jumped in on the ctx bandwagon because I heard it was balanced better, and I can honestly say, for me it it very well balanced and comfortable to use. I almost forgot how a balanced md felt until now.
Maybe someone else will also add their opinion.
HH,
Mike

 

[Jeff in Pa]

I have had several smaller coils and I think the most rounded coil I have used is the 6 x 8 SEF. It feels lighter, is lighter and still has decent ground coverage. It does look much smaller than the Pro coil when swinging it but that coil does make it easier to swing the detector.

 

[medicman507]

Before you think about selling or going to a smaller coil, try wearing a wrist support and pretreat yourself with Advil before going out.

 

[hershey1]

I have read about this problem before and some have retracted their lower rod so the coil is not out so far and it seemed to help. I have not used my E-Trac much since getting the CTX 3030. Like the other man said the CTX is much better balanced and is much more comfortable to use for long periods. I can say from experience you will not get the same results from the lighter machines as you do from your E-Trac. HH

 

[Cutaplug]

If it was me I'd at least try a wrist wrap and possibly a swingy thingy before trading the e-trac away. How often do you go out to hunt?

 

[markg]

Average two hunts per week. Today I got to hunt 4 hours. Had a great time though. But I used the 6" excellerator coil for 2 of those hours.
I've been wondering about the joey coil. I've heard it is much lighter compared to the stock coil.

 

[Bill M]

Mark
At 58 years young, I know what you are talking about. I've played with the shaft length and a little shorter does seem to help. I use the 6X8 sef often mainly because I hunt fields. That coil is lighter than the stock pro coil and should help with your (our) problem. The best advice is Aleve liquid gel tabs, they help more than the 6x8. Good Luck!!

 

[DiggerODirt]

If you do not mind loosing the foam grip, you could cut it off, or take it off if you know how to disassemble the unit. Then wrap the grip area with tennis racket grip wrap...I find the foam grip to be too thick...I think the tighter the grip, the more comfortable it might be.

HH,

 

[Nuke em]

I think everyone gets cramps or aches and pains from time to time but when that happens to me i just do lots of pressups and i mean proper ones where you are on tip toe and arms out 6 inches wider than shoulders on the ground , then pump them out hard and fast till you cannot move then an hour later do as many as you can again then again and again then stop for the time it takes to be able to do the same as the first batch. I did this when i started getting Tennis elbow a couple of years ago using my ET and it stopped it . You will ache for a while and detecting maybe out for a few days but it should get everything back to normal in a week. ( when doing the pressups , do not lock the elbows up at the end of each pressup. Keep the pressure on all the time )
It does depend on your build and and if you have a bad back like me you have to be careful too but it does work. Unless you have a injury or ailment like Arthrytis or something then it should work.

I have the ET and the CTX but still use the ET most of the time as i think its better . I am not a strong built man but find the ET better so it has to be used whether lighter or better ballanced or not.

It also depends on your swing and if you have your machine at the right length , i use mine so it touches the ground or nearly and use a 11 inch Tesoro skid pan coil cover over the fragile ET coil cover to protect it.
Good luck.

 

[dirt doctor]

n/t

 

[dirt doctor]

The Sunray X8 is a very light coil , it still has a bit of coverage and has good separation and depth . I have one I never take off my Explorer 2 . I use a Pro-pointer with that set up . When I'm feeling real frisky I have an SE with a Pro coil and a Sunray X1 probe . I usually never hunt more than 2 or 3 hrs. every few days as I'm usually busy with things I HAVE to do . I have the X1 probe mounted alongside the battery compartment that seems to help a bit . When hunting large areas with limited time or if my shoulder is tired I hunt with a Teknetic"s T2 . I'm 67 , some days I feel like it some days I don't . It's surprising how much energy you can muster up when you're in a good spot making some finds .

 

[Goes4ever]

The 6x8 coil feels a lot lighter to me, I havent used the swingy thing but recently got a similar item from blistool and it seems like a better design, makes swinging EASY almost like your machine is floating....might want to check that out

 

[RobbieP]

The other thing to do is remote mount the control box and handle on a camera strap around your neck, mount the coil on a carbon fibre shaft and stem (mine is off an Excalibur) and get an extension cable made up to link it all together. I have tried it and now use the Nel Tornado coil for regular hunting on this arrangement and it works fine, no aches at all.