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S rod for the equinox
- Thread starter Quake
- Start date
I changed mine to an S rod. Having been a White's dealer in the past and using White's detectors for about 20 years, I had lots of White's parts laying around so that's how i went. I used the S rod from a MXT or DFX $19.50 if you buy new from White's. White's lower rods for my Nox coils $19.50 each. The Lower rods are required because the Nox rods are a little larger in diameter than the Whit'e Rod. It takes a little work but simple to do.
The white's S rod has two spring buttons on either side of the upper end. The Nox upper rod has a single hole on the bottom. You must drill a 1/4" hole on the bottom of the White's rod to match. Remove the spring clip from the White's rod, cut off one of the buttons and reinstall so it protrudes thru the new hole you drilled. The S rod is smaller in Diameter so you need to shim it. I cut a small piece from a plastic Folgers Coffee can LID that would make 1 layer around the S rod and you need to drill a hole in the shim for the spring button to go thru. Only thing else you need to do is mount the Nox coil to a White's lower rod.
I've been using this setup about 3 times a week for over two years and it's still rock solid. I think it swings much better as the detector doesn't try to twist at the end of each swing, and I don't thing it needs to be counter balanced like the straight shaft does. Folks buy a 3 pound detector and then add a one pound weight to hang off the back, just so it swings better. Crazy IMHO.
The white's S rod has two spring buttons on either side of the upper end. The Nox upper rod has a single hole on the bottom. You must drill a 1/4" hole on the bottom of the White's rod to match. Remove the spring clip from the White's rod, cut off one of the buttons and reinstall so it protrudes thru the new hole you drilled. The S rod is smaller in Diameter so you need to shim it. I cut a small piece from a plastic Folgers Coffee can LID that would make 1 layer around the S rod and you need to drill a hole in the shim for the spring button to go thru. Only thing else you need to do is mount the Nox coil to a White's lower rod.
I've been using this setup about 3 times a week for over two years and it's still rock solid. I think it swings much better as the detector doesn't try to twist at the end of each swing, and I don't thing it needs to be counter balanced like the straight shaft does. Folks buy a 3 pound detector and then add a one pound weight to hang off the back, just so it swings better. Crazy IMHO.
fwcrawford
Well-known member
Very nice setup you have there Tom!!
I wish Minelab would have used an S shaft on the Equinox...what you have looks more streamline... the bet there is a huge difference in deep too.
I wish Minelab would have used an S shaft on the Equinox...what you have looks more streamline... the bet there is a huge difference in deep too.
I decided to try the counter weight idea as many folks like it. I had a hard time wanting to add weight to the detector. These pictures show the 1/2" ratchet extension and a large 16 oz socket as that's what most folks need to balance it out. With the S rod, I don't think it needs the counter weight at all.
Attachments
fwcrawford
Well-known member
I like the “explosives” shack and mine entrance in the background of one of those other photos you took of the Equinox.
relicmeister
Well-known member
Just another option. The fold and go available on eBay at Dans treasure products is an easy mod but also it locks every 18 degrees so you can lock the lower shaft forward and the effect on balance is equal to an s-shaft. Then you can try straight shaft vs “bent” shaft and feel the balance improvement it gives. Great for carrying and fitting in a backpack. Easier than the s-shaft mod for sure.
brissietex
Member
I used an old Fisher CZ-70 (swamped the poor thing...:-() golden rod setup for my Equinox 800 s-rod mod. Only had to drill to fit the coil and the control box. That's it. Swings great and packs into luggage much better than the standard Equinox setup. Looks sharp too.
Does look sharp, How does the balance feel ?
Is that the bottom shaft from the fisher also ?
brissietex
Member
IMHO I think that it swings better than the standard Equinox setup. The lower shaft is the original CZ-70 one (plastic). I just had to get some new rubber gaskets and drill it out a bit so that the Minelab coil bolt fits. Pretty solid build and doesn't have much of a lower coil sway...the lower plastic shaft seems pretty solid. Overall it is slightly lighter than the standard setup. I have thought about going with the Detect-ED carbon shaft but this seems to work for me and I just had the CZ-70 sitting around parted out.
I mainly made the mod since I wanted to be able to pack the detector into a carry-on or hard case and the Equinox shafts just won't fit into a normal carry-on that I have. The CZ setup breaks down and fits in my carry-on with room to spare for everything else and some padding. I found that you will be hard-pressed to do so with the longest piece of the standard Equinox setup. I even took that shaft to a local luggage store and it would barely fit in the biggest TSA approved carry-on that I could find there.
brissietex
Member
I was worried about this as well but I haven't felt any issues. Here is how it looks in use(pardon moi about my hairy arm
)...
sgoss66
Well-known member
Brissietex -- I can build you a custom, three-piece carbon-fiber shaft to fit in whatever size of carry-on you wish...just throwing that out there, in case you decide you'd like to pursue a carbon-fiber shaft to fit in a carry-on bag. I've built them for several customers...
Thanks!
Steve
Thanks!
Steve