Another Sovereign Project.

[Ron from Michigan]

Well ,Rick is right most hunter's once they use a Sovereign and get rid of it for what ever reason will usually buy another one.I'm strapped on cash so I bought an older XS2 without a rod asm.I have already ordered a straight shaft.Wish I would have kept my 180 meter.Thinking about picking up the newer Sunray 12 inch coil.These Sovereigns are like building an old hot rod.

 

[labeachbum]

I to was thinking of decking out a GT with a straight Shaft and 180 meter might even add a SunRay Probe for my local park?

 

[Ron from Michigan]

La Beachbum I used a XS with a straight shaft and the GT with the stock rod asm.The Minelab stock S rod asm isn't balanced very well and the difference with an after market straight rod for the XS was remarkable.Now with the Sovereign GT stock rod asm I never made any changes and thought it worked great.The GT wasn't as balanced, but close,and a lot more compact.The stock GT handle is nice,much better than the after market setups.I used a Night Hawk meter which looked identical to the Sunray DTll.This 180 meter had a mounting bracket that slid right into the rod asm and the angle could be adjusted.The one thing I didn't like about this meter the screen numbers would fade away in strong sunlight.This would require a search in a shaded area to regain the use of this meter.The Sunray probe works great on the Sovereign great depth and ID the target.On the Explorer ll the Sunray Probe is a disappointment not even close to the same performance on the Sovereign.Even though the Sunray Probe works great on the Sovereign I'll probably stay with the Pistol Probe,Bullseye combination I will continue to use this with the Explorer and this has given me a lot of multiple targets in one hole due to the sensitivity of the PI probe.Like the Explorer less swing weight without the inline probe attached to the Sovereign.At this point I'm looking for a 180 meter.By the way the wiggle with the meter gives the Sovereign a couple inches of depth over the Excalibur.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Received the Sovereign XS2 Pro yesterday.This purchase also came with a charger and rechargeable battery.With the 10 BBS coil on, the old Sovereign was fired up.Even without a rod asm I conducted a quick air test, which the Sovereign worked great.The straight rod asm is in transit which I will probably receive tomorrow.

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Ron could you post a pic once you get your straight shaft ?

I put an extension on the stock xs2a-pro shaft, and it did help balance it out a lot by movng the control box back. I've been debating for a long time whether or not to get a straight shaft. I would love one of those setups with the pinpointer button on the handle, but really I rarely go into AM mode to pinpoint anymore, as with practice was able to pinpoint without it (although I do still switch to AM at times to check iffy/funky targets).

HH,
Brian

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Brian,the straight rod asm for the Sovereign transforms this detector from handling like a dump truck to a sports car.I think the Sovereign GT would benefit from the extension.The Minelab S rod just doesn't work well no matter where the units is mounted or if an extension is in place.I'll post some photos when I get the completed lower rod asm in a couple of days.My next goal is to install a 180 meter and a Sunray Probe.The Sunray probe works very well and cuts traffic and wind noise better that any handheld.(changed my mind on adding the Sunray,but will still carry the Pistol Probe to nuke the hole for multiple targets) I also rarely use the AM mode.Most of the Straight Rod Asms are cheap I got mine from the Carlsbad guy for 69.00 plus shipping.If you sold your S rod asm that would drop the actual cost even further.Hang on to your old XS2a these old Sovereigns are getting harder to find and starting to sell for premium prices,Rick has done too good a job about getting the word out how well any Sovereign performs.

 

[wpruden]

There are no menus! Basically turn on & go; and go real deep! I don't care what anyone say's no single frequency can out hunt the sovereign. The only dis advantage is that it is sensitive to electromagnetic field from power lines. That is it!
My budget is tight I sold my whites xl pro to get a sovereign xs and I'm glad I did. I can't remember the last hot rock I dug. Multi frequency is a beautiful thing. my deepest coin(wheat penny) was 11" deep and with the wiggle my meter read 548 to 549 twice with a weak repeatable good tone; and that was with the 8" minelab coil.
Rick was right when he said the sovereign & explorers go 3" to 4" deeper than coil diameter THATS BIG!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Wpruden,the eight inch coil you used was that the Coin Search coil?I think for a couple of bucks you can get a kit for your 550 meter to convert it to a 180 with a little soldering.I agree the Sovereign is a one of the kind.

 

[wpruden]

n/t

 

[Ron from Michigan]

The Sovereign XS2 Pro is now an official base unit.This rod asm is different than the straight rod I had on my XS.This rod set up has a curl nut with pressure clips and six hole for adjustments a nice sturdy lock without flex or movement.The handle has a nice feel and can be adjusted with an allen wrench which is included.Plugger also included three Velcro strips with adhesive to stick on the rod and additional Velcro to tie around these and secure the cable.This package also includes a V clip for a meter mount.The armrest came with a Velcro strap and a metal screw with a wing nut and another allen wrench to tighten or loosen the arm rest.I chose to replace this with two round plastic thumb screws.Also included is a stand which will require a hole drilled in the rod and a set screw to secure.Always nice to keep the Sovereign off the damp grass.The V clip for the box assembly is mounted on a rod extension which will make the final length too long for transportation and in most cases will require the control box unplugged and extinction removed this is very easy and quick to accomplish.With the heavy BBS 1000 coil installed,cable secured and box mounted the balanced seemed great,but need time in the field to confirm.For those who want a more compact unit a V clip could be mounted underneath the arm rest and the extension left off this would give dimensions close to the GT.Anyway took some photos.Thanks.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I'm looking for a Sunray DTll or a Blackburn Night Hawk 180 meter.Should have never sold my meter they aren't that easy to find Each time I find one it sells before the seller gets back with me.I have until the last part of March before this ground hog sticks his head out.