Anyone ever haul your Etrac in a backpack?

[bottle collector]

I'm seriously thinking about buying a mountain bike and riding it to detecting locations in remote areas. I was thinking of also buying a backpack to transport my detector. I would like to transport it without taking off the upper shaft, just the lower one due to having a Sunray Probe and I really don't want to put the detector through the stress of always connecting and disconnecting the cable from the control box. Have any of you ever used a backpack to carry your detector? If so how about recommendations on a backpack.

 

[Idaho PRB]

I am going to backpack mine in, later this spring. I have a pack frame with a bag on it for packing game out with and I'm just gonna use it. They call it a freighter frame with a moose bag.
Looks like this

 

[detectorfreak74]

sometimes I put my detector bag on my 4 wheeler never a backpack

 

[utahshovelhead]

Oh yeah. I use both a full size back pack and a small (day hike) back pack that I will haul my detector in on long out of the way hunts with the bike or day hiking. Be sure to get really good quality packs that are very comfy to use and that will take the stress off the long haul and biking. I will pack the detector with bubble wrap around the detector and parts to keep them nice as bubble wrap adds protection from bumps, jarrings and the dirt. Sometimes I Velcro or strap the machine fairly tight so it wont move allot on the hard ride as I love to ride for the fun downhill too. I am not riding on asphalt...rough mountain trials.
I have gone through two backpacks detecting like this. I use a backpack that has lots of adjustments to fit properly and is great for real backpack trips. I also attach a certain type of bungee cord to the shoulder strap that lets me work the machine like the swing thingy...I need the weight off my shoulder. I like that I can also bring food and other possibles on day trips like that so I can have a bit of weight on. Sometimes I will bring both backpacks so I can leave one pack at a hidey spot and take the rest of the gear from there.
I have never had a crash or disaster like this but I am careful to secure the LOAD. The only bad thing I can say about this is that the vibration of the bike can rattle and loosen screws and connections. If you wrap it good you wont get the wear and of course If I would be a bit careful shaking the electronics too much. About the upper rod it just depends on what type of riding I am in for. Most the time I break the machine down with the rods apart but it can be done.either way.
Good luck
utahshovelhead

 

[bottle collector]

Thanks to all for the responses so far.

 

[bruce01364]

Just letting you know that I bought what I think is a midsize backpack and it

 

[bottle collector]

Thanks for the great post and super picture!. I actually think that the size backpack you have will work for me. I really don't care it the upper shaft extends out of the top of the backpack. As long as the control box is in the pack I think I would rather have the upper shaft stick out than have a giant backpack.