Please...As With Most Other Cam Locks On Rods Hunting In Water............:surrender:

[John-Edmonton]

When you are finished detecting, Get that lower rod in some water, then loosen and tighten each cam several times, to get that buildup of fine silt which accumulates in the tiniest places loose and out of the cam thread. Then, loosen the cams, and keep them loose until your next water hunt. This will allow you to still adjust the length of the rods after they dry. If you keep your rod extended and do not clean out that fine silt, it will accumulate and make it very difficult to fix. I always cringe when I hear someone suggest you use a tool on plastic lower rods, as they will leave dents and scratches, leaving even more places where that fine silt can accumulate and cause even more problems.

 

[Old California]

Great information john,

On vacation this week and had time to sneak away visiting family down south in Southern California, Before I got food poisoning hit the beach for about two hours and was very careful not getting sand in the shafts. However, As fine beach sand is especially ocean wet sand it sneaked it's way in the cam locks and boy was it a nightmare cleaning the find sand out. Actually the fine particulars of sand scratched the shafts never again will I take the ATX to the beach, Fresh water lake sand is kinder to the Recon or ATX not as fine as ocean sand so I'll continue to hit fresh water lakes instead and use a different Pi for ocean hunting.

You're so right john, ATX users be very careful.

Paul (Ca)

 

[Syd BC]

Thanks John and Paul,

I've been using my ATX in freshwater lakes and have also noticed that the cam locks become tight. John was right about that very fine silt getting in the cam threads. The first time I left the lake I just put the detector on the back seat of my truck but by the time I got home the detector was dry and it was difficult to loosen the cams. I think it's best to wash the detector and collapse it at the lake. Not sure if this would work at a salt water beach.

Syd

 

[WaterWalker]

I have found that rubber strap grip wrenches will not leave any mark on either the shaft or cam locks.
Be careful on were you place them ... one on the cam lock and one on the shaft area closer to the control box.
Apply pressure to the wrenches and NOT the control box.
2 for $5 is a going price on the Internet...just search for rubber strap wrenches.
Garrett recommends not collapsing the ATX shaft until it is dry, That is a hard thing to get done as there is no lower drain and air will not flow through the shaft.
A bit of compressed air has been an aid in getting dampness and silt out of the cam locks.