Raincover-Shoddy Design

[RLOH]

I have been reading about the raincovers for Exterras that don't fit. I bought one and the first time I removed it, I sprung the hinge on the battery compartment. I had to send the brand new detector back in to be fixed and asked for a new raincover. The second raincover was tighter than the first on. Not wanting to break the detector again, I ripped both seams up the back and had my mother sew two pieces of velcro just under where the coil wire screws into the back of the control box. It works like a charm, but I know I wasn't the first person to complain about how ill fitting the cover was to Minelab. Someone has to take the "bull by the horns" and get this screw-up fixed. It is not rocket science, but just a matter of making the cover 1/4 inch wider. It is impossible to get this cover on and off to change batteries. I heated it up and stretched it , but that really didn't help much. A person should not have to modify a factory item to make it fit. I believe all the covers are defective. Just my thoughts. R.L. Johnson

 

[rifleman]

I agree. The cover is are a pain in the butt to get on and off. I like your idea about cutting the rear of the cover then putting velcro on it. The last time I took my cover off, it opened up the battery compartment. It didn't damage anything. It always wants to hang up on the rubber headphone jack cover also. There is a company putting out their own cover for the X-Terra, but I can't remember where I saw it. It was a much better design. Maybe some e mails to Minelab would get the ball rolling.

Good hunting, John K

 

[AlaskaAng]

[size=large]Thanks for the heads up...I'll take a look at mine (when I get it) and see about using the velcro. Have sewing machine, will fix!
Angie[/size]

 

[Digger]

I agree that the X-Terra environmental covers are far too tight to allow a safe and quick battery change. I don't know who makes them for Minelab. But I have to think they are outsourced to someone other than the folks building the detectors. Anyway, I have made a few modifications to some of mine. None fancy enough to promote as a line of accessories! But effective, none the less. On one of mine I simply cut a slit below the headphone jack cover. You still have to remove the coil connector to slip it off and on. But it slips over the rubber boot on the headphone jack easily and keeps the battery door tightly shut while in use. On a second one, I cut out a rectangular piece of the cover, directly over the battery door. Same size and shape, making sure it is large enough to slide open the battery door when the cover is on. Using a hot glue gun, I fastened velcro around the perimeter of that freshly cut hole, and fastened a matching piece of velcro to it to "close the wound". The pieces I used for both the perimeter and the flap were simply pieces of an extra velcro strap (the wide type) that secures the coil cable to the rod. I don't mind using either one. And both work well. But the coil connector still has to be unscrewed on both, and the rubber battery door still hangs up on the second one. I guess the point of my post is to say I agree it is a very tight fit. But making the detector dust proof and somewhat water resistant is the whole idea. I just bought another environmental cover and I think I will avoid the velcro modification and simply cut a slit under the rubber headphone flap, and one under the coil connector hole. This will allow the cover to be removed more easily, without damage to the rubber flap, allow the cover to be removed without disconnecting the coil cable, and still keep the battery door secure and the X-Terra relatively dust free. JMHO Randy

 

[AlaskaAng]

[size=large]Thanks for the pics Digger. I'm real handy at making detector box covers (made 3 for my XLTs) using an example cover from White's (the old cordova very quality one that's no longer made). I cut out the pattern and used my sewing machine. It's a very tight fit and allows battery removal without taking off the cover (DFX/XLT owners know what I'm talking about).

I'll try to make a X-70 meter cover out of neoprene (just orderd some material off EBAY). I'll post pics once I'm finished.

Ang[/size]

 

[nero_design]

I've just washed some mud from my own cover and replaced it after drying. These covers are useful and prevent damage to the screen-printed lettering on the control box from fingers and thumbs covered in dirt and grit. They are certainly water resistant with the exception of the cable coupling area where the metal ends of the coil cable plug into the back of the control module.

I like the covers and find them snug but not so snug that they hinder the ability to pull them on or off. Twice I thought my cover was stuck too tightly on.... and it was only when I turned the control module over that I saw the cable connection was still sticking through the hole in the cover, preventing me from removing it. I replace my batteries every two solid days (of use) to ensure maximum power.

For people without one, it's almost (though not quite) an essential accessory if you want to keep your detector looking new and make it more attractive for a future sale or exchange. The modified cases (above) that Digger has with the velcro flaps seem a good alternative for those needing to change batteries at a high rate. I always carry a plastic grocery bag with me in my pocket and throw that over the hood it it starts to rain a little.

 

[Bavaria Mike]

my old cover has shrunk a bit, just bought a new cover that fits a little better. You just have to be careful and I only use mine when it rains. HH, Mike

 

[B.T]

I just cut enough of the side out to be able to open and close mine, a bit like Diggers minus the flap. No drama at all.