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Which is better S shaft or Straight on GT

I did not know you had the option from Minelab!Speaking from America, Overseas units get the S Shafts While the USA get Straight shafts. I don't know why. I have the straight shaft model and it seems to be great for me! Now On the beach I could see where S shafts would be a Hindrance, I found that to be true of the Excalibur on the beach. Can't explain but once I changed from the S to the Straight shaft I had less fatigue.
 
on most straight shafts the handle angle is a more natural wrist angle, therefore easier to use.
 
When I received my GT three years ago it came with the s shaft. I never had a problem with it. I now have a straight shaft and have used it about 5 times. My arm was more tired after using the straight shaft especially in the bicep area. I really did not notice any real difference. I lowered the handle down a little bit and will see how it fees. I will continue to use the straight and my arm will probably get use to it. Every one that I see on the beach is using a GT has a straight shaft.
 
I prefer my straight shaft to the `S` shaft minelab supply to European detectorist surely you should be given the choice when you purchase your new detector or do minelab think European people have different bone structures to North Americans :rofl:
 
Hi.
Here in France I received my GT with an S and I feel good (46 years) even after 6 or 8 hours of detection in the sand and my bag on the back with drinks; The longest was 10 hours NO STOP :detecting:
I never tried straight shaft.
Hakim.
Bordeaux France
 
My Sovereign came with the straight shaft, but I replaced it with the S shaft after using it for about 6 months.
My reason for preferring the S shaft is that I have a Musketeer with the S shaft and I am used to the shaft, and with the straight shaft, I had trouble seeing the meter due to the handgrip being in the way.
Personally, I didn't see any difference in the balance, but I did notice more wrist fatigue while using the straight shaft.
With the S shaft, I can keep a loose grip on the grip which lessens fatigue.
It looks like the majority of folks prefer the straight shaft from what I have seen on the forums, but for me, I prefer the S shaft.
 
I would love to know the reason why they use a straight shaft for the US and an S Shaft for Europe........

I am from England so I naturally have the S version. I will second what Hakim from France has said, 10 hour hunts no problem whatsoever....(hip or chest mount for the box though) but I have also never tried the straight shaft.

There is someone on this forum from the South West (England) who uses a straight shaft if my memory is correct - so he would have used both, no doubt he will be along to comment shortly.............
 
I bought my GT from Kelly CO in the US and received the s shaft. I also received a handle for a straight shaft. It was probably a mix up. I kept the s shaft and used it for 3 years. I now use the straight shaft and really do not notice any difference in balance. I think that I am more used to the s shaft.
 
Just like the Excalibur you need to get some weight behind the elbow. Then it actually helps lift the coil. This is my night hunting setup. It has the DTI III with back light. It has a toggle in front of the handle for all metal. And the control box was mounted in back of the elbow. I can swing this thing all night. And of course I have the S-12 coil on it. She aint the prettiest. Actually I bought the box already very beat up. Perfect for a night hunt. If someone tries to mug me I'll smash them over the head with it and consider it money well spent.:smoke:
 
IMO it repents in what your hand is used to. I had the s shaft but I replaced it with the straight one. The straight one in the beginning felt a little bit uncomfortable. But after a couple of uses it feels just like the expansion of my hand. Also with the straight shaft your wrist don't get any pain. But be careful for the s shaft user its going to be a little difficult to get used of the straight shaft in the beginning.
 
I use my musky S shaft with a GT coil on it the 15" wot and i use the stright shaft with the 10" GT coil I like the straight shaft better because i can hold on to it better and it looks cool
 
The S rod assemblies are junk any Sovereign I use will have a straight shaft.Everything can be balanced out better with the straight shaft.The S rod assembly setup is great if you like tennis elbow and a poor sweep(how the heck do you get the Sovereign wiggle with this setup) and no leverage.The difference is like driving a sports car compared with a dump truck.HH Ron
 
Ron,
Is the shaft pictured different than the stock "S" shaft ?
Just wondering since you stated that you only use the straight shaft on for the Sovereigns.
I like the meter you modified and since the digameter is no longer made, there is going to be some demand for an aftermarket meter.
 
Felix,that's a stock older S rod asm the balance isn't too bad with the box mounted uder the arm rest.The S-1 probe is mounted so you can flip the switch with your index finger.The probe and meter mounted on top worked better than I expected.I still use my home brewed straight shaft this upper S rod I just put on Ebay and remembered this thread and thought I would share a photo of the S rod mounted with all the extras.Its easy to sell a product you believe in I have built and sold a few of these meters.My brother calls the meter in the photo whimpy pink one of my first and still ticking like a timex. HH Ron
 
Actually the straight shaft is far superior , mine has the v-clip halfway down shaft for meter.
Also with a quick release mount I can belt holster control box. Making straight shaft even lighter!
Balance is better , wrist is more natural position when swinging, add a shaft support leg on shaft to keep box off ground .
:goodnight:
 
Straight shaft for sure.. If you have never run with a straight shaft, you will after you have tried it. The difference is unreal.
 
The S shaft is ok ish if it fits you perfect from the off as its not adjustable(other than a couple of holes on the cup) the Straight shaft for me is much better as you can adjust the handle to help balance out bigger coils/meters/sunray probe and longer forearm lengths. On my plugger shaft the box sits well behind the elbow like the one on my Excalibur 2 and the balance is perfect.
 
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