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Which detector do you find to be
- Thread starter otlew
- Start date
The type of detecting will make a difference. If you ever hunt areas with alot of trash, iron etc. the Minelab Etrac is second to NONE for separation. You will open up new hunting areas in "hunted out areas", and find those hidden goodies that others have missed. Face it with all of the detecting over the past several decades some areas have been "hunted out" as some may say.
The Etrac will pay off in those areas.
The Etrac will pay off in those areas.
Swing a hickory stick for a while and you will feel it in your arm. Tough question to answer and with all the lightweight machines aforementioned would be my suggestion.
We all have different strenght and lets equate different lengths of arm to dial in.
Those that use heavier units have been doing it for many hunts and it makes their arms stronger.
Several different devices on the market that distribute the weight to the larger back muscles but be careful as an injured back can be much more hazardous to ones health.
In addendum go to a multi line dealer and try on some for size and feel as hobby can be fun but not at the expense of a sore back or arm..
We all have different strenght and lets equate different lengths of arm to dial in.
Those that use heavier units have been doing it for many hunts and it makes their arms stronger.
Several different devices on the market that distribute the weight to the larger back muscles but be careful as an injured back can be much more hazardous to ones health.
In addendum go to a multi line dealer and try on some for size and feel as hobby can be fun but not at the expense of a sore back or arm..
As several forum denizens have pointed out, weight and ergonomics aren't the same thing. Good ergonomics can make a machine feel lighter than it really is, and really light weight can make up for less-than-inspired ergonomics.
The Tek T2 was the first (and still the only) metal detector in history that was designed scientifically for ergonomics (not just guesswork) and for which ergonomic specifications were published. The more recent F-75 uses that same mechanical package with the same ergonomic spex. Most customers think of them as featherweights even though they weigh in at around 3 1/2 pounds.
The inspiration for the Tek T2 was the Fisher 1260-X and its '65 and '66 successors, which someone has already mentioned in this thread as having excellent ergonomics. Until the "Old Fisher" took that mechanical package out of production in the late 1990's it represented the best ergonomic design in the industry. As I recall, that series weighed a little over 4 pounds, but of course felt a lot lighter.
The other extreme is the Tesoro MicroMax series, which several people have mentioned in this thread. The ergonomics are good, though not exactly fantastic. But at less than 2 1/2 pounds, it doesn't need fantastic ergonomics, "good" is "good enough". They're almost effortless to swing compared to most other metal detectors. The Diablo MicroMax (no longer in production) is one of my all-time favorite machines. Our relatively recent Tek Delta and (new) Fisher Gold Bug ergonomics and weight are fairly similar to the Tesoro MicroMaxes though the MicroMaxes probably have a slight edge when carrying the same weight searchcoil.
The Tek Omega which at least one person has mentioned is also almost effortless, being in between the T2 and the MicroMax on ergonomic design and also on weight.
--Dave Johnson
Chief Designer, FTP-Fisher
The Tek T2 was the first (and still the only) metal detector in history that was designed scientifically for ergonomics (not just guesswork) and for which ergonomic specifications were published. The more recent F-75 uses that same mechanical package with the same ergonomic spex. Most customers think of them as featherweights even though they weigh in at around 3 1/2 pounds.
The inspiration for the Tek T2 was the Fisher 1260-X and its '65 and '66 successors, which someone has already mentioned in this thread as having excellent ergonomics. Until the "Old Fisher" took that mechanical package out of production in the late 1990's it represented the best ergonomic design in the industry. As I recall, that series weighed a little over 4 pounds, but of course felt a lot lighter.
The other extreme is the Tesoro MicroMax series, which several people have mentioned in this thread. The ergonomics are good, though not exactly fantastic. But at less than 2 1/2 pounds, it doesn't need fantastic ergonomics, "good" is "good enough". They're almost effortless to swing compared to most other metal detectors. The Diablo MicroMax (no longer in production) is one of my all-time favorite machines. Our relatively recent Tek Delta and (new) Fisher Gold Bug ergonomics and weight are fairly similar to the Tesoro MicroMaxes though the MicroMaxes probably have a slight edge when carrying the same weight searchcoil.
The Tek Omega which at least one person has mentioned is also almost effortless, being in between the T2 and the MicroMax on ergonomic design and also on weight.
--Dave Johnson
Chief Designer, FTP-Fisher
I am astonished at how much response this question has garnered! I am without a doubt a rank beginner in detecting, but I do want to stick with this hobby.
Below are four conclusions I have drawn in the four months since I started detecting.
1. You are not likely to strike it rich, same as the lottery, except you can't sell used lottery tickets (well you might).
2. Detecting is about swinging the coil for as long as you can.
3. Any well designed machine in experienced hands, is probably as good as it gets (yes I know, looking in the right places, but that falls under the category of experience).
You will not achieve 3 if you don't faithfully perform number 2. Most will not continue if practice is uncomfortable and especially if it is painful.
If it is painful to use a machine, how many neophytes will "hang in there" through the discomfort. I was amazed at the number of detectors that I found on Craigs list when I decided detecting was something I might like.
So once again thanks each and everyone of you, which brings me to number four.
4. Detecting is populated by some of the most helpful people you could ever hope to meet.
With all this help, how can I not find the machine that fits me. I welcome all opinions.
Below are four conclusions I have drawn in the four months since I started detecting.
1. You are not likely to strike it rich, same as the lottery, except you can't sell used lottery tickets (well you might).
2. Detecting is about swinging the coil for as long as you can.
3. Any well designed machine in experienced hands, is probably as good as it gets (yes I know, looking in the right places, but that falls under the category of experience).
You will not achieve 3 if you don't faithfully perform number 2. Most will not continue if practice is uncomfortable and especially if it is painful.
If it is painful to use a machine, how many neophytes will "hang in there" through the discomfort. I was amazed at the number of detectors that I found on Craigs list when I decided detecting was something I might like.
So once again thanks each and everyone of you, which brings me to number four.
4. Detecting is populated by some of the most helpful people you could ever hope to meet.
With all this help, how can I not find the machine that fits me. I welcome all opinions.
Dave J. said:As several forum denizens have pointed out, weight and ergonomics aren't the same thing. Good ergonomics can make a machine feel lighter than it really is, and really light weight can make up for less-than-inspired ergonomics.
The Tek T2 was the first (and still the only) metal detector in history that was designed scientifically for ergonomics (not just guesswork) and for which ergonomic specifications were published. The more recent F-75 uses that same mechanical package with the same ergonomic spex. Most customers think of them as featherweights even though they weigh in at around 3 1/2 pounds.
The inspiration for the Tek T2 was the Fisher 1260-X and its '65 and '66 successors, which someone has already mentioned in this thread as having excellent ergonomics. Until the "Old Fisher" took that mechanical package out of production in the late 1990's it represented the best ergonomic design in the industry. As I recall, that series weighed a little over 4 pounds, but of course felt a lot lighter.
The other extreme is the Tesoro MicroMax series, which several people have mentioned in this thread. The ergonomics are good, though not exactly fantastic. But at less than 2 1/2 pounds, it doesn't need fantastic ergonomics, "good" is "good enough". They're almost effortless to swing compared to most other metal detectors. The Diablo MicroMax (no longer in production) is one of my all-time favorite machines. Our relatively recent Tek Delta and (new) Fisher Gold Bug ergonomics and weight are fairly similar to the Tesoro MicroMaxes though the MicroMaxes probably have a slight edge when carrying the same weight searchcoil.
The Tek Omega which at least one person has mentioned is also almost effortless, being in between the T2 and the MicroMax on ergonomic design and also on weight.
--Dave Johnson
Chief Designer, FTP-Fisher
Hello Mr. Johnson,
As a Chief Designer you can believe I will place great stock in your comments.
I know that when one engineers in a for profit setting, that you must strive for the best design possible at a cost that allows for a profit, and I am guessing that ergonomic studies and fabrication of any such design might be expensive, making the product less competitive. Car makers could make a tank of a car that would be an order of magnitude safer, but who could afford it!
I have not seen any metal detector advertising where ergonomics have been stressed, or perhaps I have overlooked it. Seems to me that the ad folks would be extolling such things as " Feels like swinging a feather", I know that would catch my attention, and judging by the responses to my posting a lot of others might take notice. As so many things in life, it seems there is always a trade off.
"I have not seen any metal detector advertising where ergonomics have been stressed, or perhaps I have overlooked it."
I seems I did overlook at least one, in a Kellyco advertisement for the Teknetics T2 it does an excellent job of explaining the ergonomics of this machine .
And from the T2 manual we have this little write up.
"DESIGNED BY EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS The lead engineers on the T 2 design team
were John Gardiner, firmware engineer, and David Johnson, whose expertise is behind
many of the best-known high-performance metal detectors offered by major U.S.
manufacturers for the last 24 years."
I seems I did overlook at least one, in a Kellyco advertisement for the Teknetics T2 it does an excellent job of explaining the ergonomics of this machine .
And from the T2 manual we have this little write up.
"DESIGNED BY EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS The lead engineers on the T 2 design team
were John Gardiner, firmware engineer, and David Johnson, whose expertise is behind
many of the best-known high-performance metal detectors offered by major U.S.
manufacturers for the last 24 years."
I purchased the Omega 8000, and so far I am well pleased. As I have used it for only 8 hours of actual hunting I can't make a final determination about its overall abilities, but as far as ergonomics, it is more than acceptable.
I only need to switch hands for 5 minutes once an hour of hunting to stay comfortable, and no back pain. I will let other more experienced folks make the technical comments on this machine.
I only need to switch hands for 5 minutes once an hour of hunting to stay comfortable, and no back pain. I will let other more experienced folks make the technical comments on this machine.