F19 - universal shaft and Fisher tall backpack

[dfmike]

I sometimes have to walk a certain distance in difficult terrain to get to where I want to do some detecting so I wanted a way to put a detector in a decent backpack that wasn't too large without having to disassemble the detector. Knowing the measurements of the shaft when collapsed, I looked up a few backpacks that could accommodate the unit without being too big and cumbersome or too expensive. I bought the Fisher tall backpack. There was a little bit less space inside than I though there would be but I can put the collapsed detector in there with either the 5" round coil or the 5 X 10. Anything bigger will not fit either in depth or height. There is a separate compartment inside where I could possibly fit an 11 DD coil if need be. There is an outside zipped compartment where I could store one of my 2 headphone sets for transport (folded Jolly Rogers or Killer B's). I have no pictures of the headphones in the compartment but I tried it and I know it fits.

For those who might be interested in the Mars shaft, just make sure your detector box will be compatible. Some will not fit the adapter plate without serious hacking to the control box while others are totally incompatible with it. It was pretty straight forward with the F19 (the company mentions the Gold Bug, but not the F19 or G2 specifically). Some adjustments had to be done to the adapter plate holes to make the supplied screws fit (enlarging the hole and making it countersink). On this model, no modifications are needed to the box itself thus the warranty remains intact. I won't go into a detailed review of the shaft unless somebody wants it but it seems to be well made overall (heavier than the stock shaft though). The instructions borderline on useless so if you can't figure it out you will have to watch youtube videos for help.

The backpack is OK for the price. It's not super heavy duty but I think it will stand up to occasional wear. It is just the right size for what I need it for. I would have preferred it in all black instead of camo. I kept the large fitted plastic bag it came with and have stored it inside. It will come in handy if it starts pouring when I'm out.

First pictures show the detector ready for action with cams locked at proper height vs the detector with rods collapsed completely. All the other pictures are of the backpack alone, the backpack open with detector inside and then zipped up completely. It's a tight fit with the 5 X 10.

I posted this in the hopes that somebody might find the information useful. I am not affiliated with the brands mentioned in any way.

 

[D&P-OR]

Very interesting Mike.----We have F-19's & I find your info & pictures on the Mars shaft for them most interesting.-----Could you give more of a detailed review on these shafts (for the F-19)?-----Also, how would I go about purchasing these shafts?------Thanks-------------Del

 

[still looking 52]

Cool set up Mike. Another reason why this hobby is so fun.

 

[dfmike]

Thanks guys. Del, you can find the shaft in North America if you make a Google search. I'm not allowed to post a link to a non sponsored seller. If there is a sponsored seller that carries this item, I am unaware of it.

I used the shaft for the first time today. Coil used was the Fisher 5 X 10. I didn't need the backpack as I had no extensive walking to do. It works well. There is a very nice rubber hand grip on it, very ergonomic. The locks seem to be solid. No wobble, no creaking, absolutely no movement that I can perceive. It is slightly heavier overall than the stock shaft but I didn't really feel the extra weight all that much. The lower and upper rod parts don't slide super smoothly inside the plastic tubing. It just needs a little bit of force to move in or out. No biggie. I expected this as I had read many reviews before buying. One thing I like less than the stock shaft is the lower part of the arm cuff (the stand). It's not quite high and large enough to make a stable platform. The whole stock arm cuff assembly is better designed than what Mars came up with. I wish I could use the stock arm cuff but I'm not sure if it can be done. The stock cuff and stand is mounted atop and under a round tubing with a side screw. The cuff and stand are mounted on a square tubing with one top screw. It's not an absolute deal killer but I have to make sure the detector doesn't fall sideways when I set it down.

Once the detector box is attached to the Mars adapter plate, it's a little finicky to get the plate to slide correctly on the top mount above and in front of the hand grip. Once it is in, it's not easy to get it to slide out without force which is a good thing. Companyhas provided two plastic protrusions (for lack of a better word) on each side of the adapter plate that make it easier to push it out if need be. The original Mars shaft does not have this (from the videos I have seen online). I wish Mars would supply another adapter plate with the kit. It would then be possible for someone to mount another detector control box to the same shaft.

One thing I have noticed is that once the detector is collapsed to its shortest size, the coil cable is of course collapsed as well. With Fisher coils, this is not a problem as the cable is never stiff (at least with all the Fisher coils I have used). It could be a problem with coils that have a stiffer cable (different conductor wire and/or shielding type). My Detech coils have cables that are much harder to manage than the Fisher coils and when collapsed, there could be too much tension on both entry points (coil connector on box and coil itself). I've had 2 NEL coils and I don't remember if the coil wire was stiff or not. My only Mars coil has a cable that is much like the Fisher.

That's about it for now. It fills a need for me and it does it well. I hope the locks will stand up to frequent collapsing and extending.

For those who might wonder, the manual states that it is compatible with the Fisher F2, F4, F5, Gold Bug, F11, F22, F44 and Teknetics Eurotek series as well as all the Greek series of detectors up to the Omega 8500. Several Bounty Hunters are compatible too. Many other detector brands are compatible and some will require modifications to the control box (Some Whites and Garrett's)

 

[woody]

Looks like a great set-up. I love ingenuity.

 

[D&P-OR]

Mike---Thank you very much for the review.-----------Del

 

[dfmike]

If I can get the stock F19 camo arm cuff and stand mount on it, I'll consider myself ingenious...