Here are a couple pics of modifications I make to my handheld electronic Pinpointers. The most valuable (to me) is the tether arrangement I use to keep from losing it while out hunting. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention...... several years ago, while detecting a harvested corn field, I reached for my VibraProbe and found it was not in the holster. Realizing it had either slipped from the holster, or I had simply missed the holster when I put it away after locating my last target, I had to retrace my steps. Long story short, having spent over $100 to purchase it, I wasn't about to leave it in the field. I walked up and down those rows of downed corn stalks for over an hour before finding it. At that moment, the gears inside my head started turning, trying to come up with something that would help avoid this happening again. On the way home, I stopped at the local hardware store and bought one of those retractible key holders like you see clipped to a belt. This one had a 40 inch Kevlar cord instead of a chain, as I wanted something strong but non-metallic. When I got home, I took a short piece of strong cord and made a slip knot in one end. I fastened that end around where the top screws off of the VibraProbe and tied the other end to the clip on the end of the Kevlar cord. The reason I wanted a short piece of cord between the kevlar and the probe was so the retraction mechanism of the key holder wasn't constantly pulling on the probe. This ensemble allows me the flexibility to use the probe and not worry about losing it again. And, by putting the slip knot just below where the lid screwed on, I could change the battery easily.
[attachment 173552 tetherforprobe.jpg]
When I switched to the ProPointer, the cord was too thick to put under the cap. So I replaced the cord with one of those spiral straps that they give you for a slot machine card at the casinos. Again, I made it long enough so the retraction mechanism of the key holder isn't constantly pulling on the probe. I clipped one end of the spiral strap to the Kevlar cord and used black electrician's tape to secure the other end to the probe. In doing so, I used enough tape to also cover the speaker holes, as I use headphones and pinpoint targets by the vibration of the probe. And by taping the cord below the cap of the ProPointer, you can easily change the battery with it as well. It works great! Although when hunting in the fall with a jacket, I've managed to miss the holster a couple times, within a couple steps, I can feel that probe (attached to the Kevlar cord and Key Holder), dragging behind me.
NO MORE LOST PROBES! And that was my objective!
[attachment 173548 propointertether001.JPG]
You will also notice that I've replaced my Lesche Digging tool pouch with a leather pliar's holder. I didn't like the accumulation of dirt in the Cordura Lesche holster, and found the serrated edge of the digging tool would sometimes hinder putting it back in the holster. I suppose I could have made another Key ring tether for the digger, but found that the pliar pouch does just fine. By cutting out the end, the dirt doesn't accumulate like it did in the original equipment. And by wetting the leather and forming it to the Lesche, it slides in nice and stays where I put it.
[attachment 173549 propointertether003.JPG]
HH Randy
[attachment 173552 tetherforprobe.jpg]
When I switched to the ProPointer, the cord was too thick to put under the cap. So I replaced the cord with one of those spiral straps that they give you for a slot machine card at the casinos. Again, I made it long enough so the retraction mechanism of the key holder isn't constantly pulling on the probe. I clipped one end of the spiral strap to the Kevlar cord and used black electrician's tape to secure the other end to the probe. In doing so, I used enough tape to also cover the speaker holes, as I use headphones and pinpoint targets by the vibration of the probe. And by taping the cord below the cap of the ProPointer, you can easily change the battery with it as well. It works great! Although when hunting in the fall with a jacket, I've managed to miss the holster a couple times, within a couple steps, I can feel that probe (attached to the Kevlar cord and Key Holder), dragging behind me.
NO MORE LOST PROBES! And that was my objective!
[attachment 173548 propointertether001.JPG]
You will also notice that I've replaced my Lesche Digging tool pouch with a leather pliar's holder. I didn't like the accumulation of dirt in the Cordura Lesche holster, and found the serrated edge of the digging tool would sometimes hinder putting it back in the holster. I suppose I could have made another Key ring tether for the digger, but found that the pliar pouch does just fine. By cutting out the end, the dirt doesn't accumulate like it did in the original equipment. And by wetting the leather and forming it to the Lesche, it slides in nice and stays where I put it.
[attachment 173549 propointertether003.JPG]
HH Randy