I got my Equinox in June of 2019. Since I started using the Equinox I have developed a problem with my hand, specifically my little finger. I think it is caused by the grip on the Equinox. The problem has developed gradually over time after I got the Equinox but it is now a constant problem. I don’t know if it is because of the size of the grip, or the angle of the grip, or if it is because there is no padding on the grip, or something else. Somehow it is putting more pressure on my little finger and causing pain. I do have small hands and the grip feels large to me. I was wondering if anyone else has had any problems like this caused by the Equinox’s grip.
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Hand pain caused by the Equinox’s grip
- Thread starter JEF
- Start date
I had similar problems, got my Nox 600 in April of 2018. Eventually got Tommyco Gel Grip tape from a famous hardware store to wrap around the grip make it softer. At least I can squeeze the grip now without pain if I need too. Some people have put tennis racquet tape on theirs too. I do lots of pull-ups, push-ups etc, to strengthen my wrists anyway since I'm a high school golf coach. You can also try working with the lower shaft length (shorter feels lighter to me) and make sure you have the elbow rest in a comfortable place (I like mine to really support my forearm so that the back of the armrest stops about 1 and 1/2" from the tip of my elbow.) Everybody is definitely different. I have an 800 too for gold prospecting. I will be out for 6 to 8 hours of constant swinging for multiple days usually, so I got an aftermarket graphite shaft for it from one of the supporters on this forum. Really helped with the weight and comfort for long days.
Jeff
Jeff
I do have Steve’s carbon fiber rod and counterweight on my Equinox, which does help a lot with the balance of the detector, but I think that the problem is with the grip. I have tried different positions on the grip. High, low or middle doesn’t seem to make any difference. Like I said, I have small hands and the grip already feels too large. So I don’t think that adding a grip wrap or foam is an option.
fwcrawford
Well-known member
When I started thinking about getting an Equinox and spending time reading
the posts about poor design, balance issues, water leakage, and grip feel,
I started to have second thoughts.
After some more thought and a little coaxing from a friend, I bought one
and have not regretted my purchase since.
I personally have no complaints about the detector except for the coil flopping every time I set it down to dig a target.
I made a support bracket and solved that issue.
Two things come to mind as to why maybe I am not seeing/ feeling/noticing the things others are complaining about.
I wear gloves on both hands while detecting and I have my shaft adjusted so that the coil is closer to me than others may prefer.
To me the machine is light and well balanced even with that 11” coil.
I also have an XTerra 50, and with the 10.5” coil, that machine feels much more heavier than the Equinox.
I’m sure others will respond to this, but personally I have no complaints at all about the detector
the posts about poor design, balance issues, water leakage, and grip feel,
I started to have second thoughts.
After some more thought and a little coaxing from a friend, I bought one
and have not regretted my purchase since.
I personally have no complaints about the detector except for the coil flopping every time I set it down to dig a target.
I made a support bracket and solved that issue.
Two things come to mind as to why maybe I am not seeing/ feeling/noticing the things others are complaining about.
I wear gloves on both hands while detecting and I have my shaft adjusted so that the coil is closer to me than others may prefer.
To me the machine is light and well balanced even with that 11” coil.
I also have an XTerra 50, and with the 10.5” coil, that machine feels much more heavier than the Equinox.
I’m sure others will respond to this, but personally I have no complaints at all about the detector
IDXMonster
Well-known member
JEF...let me ask you this...do you use the arm cuff/strap or is your strap loose all the time and not “cinched” down onto your arm? If you snug up the strap every time you put your arm back through the cuff, there will be very little that your hand will have to do other than guide the machines sweep. Rely on the cuff assembly for SUPPORT, and your hand for very light support/guidance of the machine. Your pinky shouldn’t even have to be on the grip at all. Good luck!
RavRad
Active member
I did, like crazy. I fixed that by adding a grip disk to it, like this post. You can easily make one out of a pool noodle, though hard to find this time of year. They also sell one on Ebay if you search for "Minelab Equinox Sure Grip". Not linking it so I don't get in trouble, I linked to Samsung headphones once just to show a specific model with APT-X LL and almost got the ban hammer.
https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/11115-sure-grip-for-600-800/
https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/11115-sure-grip-for-600-800/
JEF, you might be surprised by how comfortable the grip is with the grip tape, padding or padded gloves. Making the grip softer really helped me to not grip it so uncomfortably. Since you also have an aftermarket shaft you could try having the control housing/hand grip not be exactly centered on the shaft. Putting the control housing/grip even 1/4" off center and to the left (I swing right handed) helped keep my wrist and forearm in more of a straight and natural position instead of having my wrist bent backwards quite a bit with the control housing centered. Looks a bit weird but really helped me.
Jeff
Jeff
Just about everything suggested here I am already doing, or I have tried. With Steve’s carbon fiber shaft and counterweight the detector is actually very comfortable to swing. That is not the problem. I believe the problem lies with the design of the handle/grip. It just does not fit my hand very well. Maybe because I am older (74) it affects me more than it would a younger person.
I agree with JEF. Minelab missed it on the handle. IMO I believe it should have been tilted farther forward.
JEF when deject try cradling the Nox in your hand lightly and with one or two fingers under the shaft and change it around every now and then.
When doing that don’t grip hard just let it float in your hands.if you have the proper amount in the counter weight in the counter balance.
Remember the longer your shaft is set at the more counter weight needed and you can do a wider sweep. But remember everyone is different.
The Nox is one of the lightest detectors out there.
You can’t have my Steve’s Carbon fiber shaft.
All is my opinion.
Doug.
JEF when deject try cradling the Nox in your hand lightly and with one or two fingers under the shaft and change it around every now and then.
When doing that don’t grip hard just let it float in your hands.if you have the proper amount in the counter weight in the counter balance.
Remember the longer your shaft is set at the more counter weight needed and you can do a wider sweep. But remember everyone is different.
The Nox is one of the lightest detectors out there.
You can’t have my Steve’s Carbon fiber shaft.
All is my opinion.
Doug.
The S is not gonna change the handle angle. I think the handle on the Equinox is not on enough of an angle and the S shaft will not correct thatQuake said:
I’ve noticed the screen angle on the Equinox is as easy to see compared to my older Xterra 70. The screen on the Xterra was better at a quick glance.
All is just my opinion.
Doug
John in Nawth Carolina
Active member
Try using a fingerless glove on that hand
I am not a glove guy either usually, but I detect year round though and on those 30 degree or less days a pair of fingerless padded work gloves feel pretty good. When I'm down in the AZ desert gold prospecting you bet I'm wearing full fingered gloves. The various cactus and cat's claw bushes are bad enough that I sometimes completely shred multiple pairs on a four day trip and then just the thought of putting my hand anywhere near the desert scorpions, tarantulas and rattlers.......
A good pair of padded fingerless gloves really is a good option to try for people experiencing pain with the Equinox grip. It really might help.
Jeff
A good pair of padded fingerless gloves really is a good option to try for people experiencing pain with the Equinox grip. It really might help.
Jeff
Alex detector
New member
n/t
Alex detector
New member
i use s hipstick which allows you to not have to support any weight -- you just move detector side to side - basically steering it-- this reduced the stress on wrists and hand and allows for a looser grip which helps reduce finger tension. i also have difficulty with my a couple fingers locking Up on me. the hipstick helps -- but does not eliminate hand problem -- it did eliminate back pain! i also find it more enjoyable to use the hipstick sling ( i also use a harness with the hipstick-- you have to.
there's no going back once you try it -- at least thats how it was for me
google hipstick if interested -- happy swinging
there's no going back once you try it -- at least thats how it was for me
google hipstick if interested -- happy swinging