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Sovereign GT S Handle
- Thread starter fsa46
- Start date
The GT made for the USA always was a straight rod, but those across the pond where S shaped rods. The Elite also used the straight shaft here in the USA and the last Sovereign with the S shaft made for us in the USA was the XS2a. The Elite and the GT used the S shaft for those made in other countries.
Rick
Rick
hydraglide
New member
Can't work out why they did this, surely making one type of shaft for all markets would be a cheaper option.
dewcon4414
Well-known member
Be glad they made the straight shaft for the USA..... 90 percent of the Xcal users has to change it....another $50 to $200 price increase.
Dew
Dew
GeorgeinSC
Well-known member
First thing I did when I purchased my Excal was change the shaft. That S shaft put all the weight on my forearm and made the machine very unbalanced. The balanced straight shaft not only gave me the length that I needed but it distributes the weight much better.
I do not understand Minelab. They change everything from one model to another. I was of the opinion that one only changed the items that were necessary to the new product. Why they change lower shafts between each machine is a mystery to me. Each item they change increases the cost of manufacture and then the cost to the consumer.
My biggest complaint is their Koss headphones. I made the mistake of purchasing a pair of their UR-30 headphones. Tried them one time and gave them away. To say I did not like them was putting it mildly. Same thing with the headphones on the Excal. Personally believe that they are junk compared to quality headphones that are on the market.
Okay I will get off my soapbox and watch the weather. I was going to go detecting this morning and it is raining and 44 degrees. Two days ago the weather guessers were saying that today would be in the 70's and sunny. It looks like they guessed wrong again.
I do not understand Minelab. They change everything from one model to another. I was of the opinion that one only changed the items that were necessary to the new product. Why they change lower shafts between each machine is a mystery to me. Each item they change increases the cost of manufacture and then the cost to the consumer.
My biggest complaint is their Koss headphones. I made the mistake of purchasing a pair of their UR-30 headphones. Tried them one time and gave them away. To say I did not like them was putting it mildly. Same thing with the headphones on the Excal. Personally believe that they are junk compared to quality headphones that are on the market.
Okay I will get off my soapbox and watch the weather. I was going to go detecting this morning and it is raining and 44 degrees. Two days ago the weather guessers were saying that today would be in the 70's and sunny. It looks like they guessed wrong again.
I personally think this may be the ONE ( and only ) time Minelab may have listened to their customers. As stated in posts above, most prefer the straight shaft and change them ....I know I did.
The reason I asked I just bought a new GT . After sending emails to many sponsors looking for one, everyone was out . However, one dealer contacted Minelab and could get me one but asked if I would mind if it had a "S" handle. I didn't mind and was just happy to find a new one.
I questioned the dealer about the "S" shaft and he asked Minelab about it. This machine is new, old stock and was made in Ireland. That was when they were still using the "S" handle. When they went to Malaysia they started making them with the straight shaft and the earlier units were put on the shelf.
I have read posts where some do actually like the "S" handle and I will be posting the complete shaft in the Classifieds when I get the GT. All my coils are on their own complete rod set-ups and all I really wanted was the control box itself anyway.
The reason I asked I just bought a new GT . After sending emails to many sponsors looking for one, everyone was out . However, one dealer contacted Minelab and could get me one but asked if I would mind if it had a "S" handle. I didn't mind and was just happy to find a new one.
I questioned the dealer about the "S" shaft and he asked Minelab about it. This machine is new, old stock and was made in Ireland. That was when they were still using the "S" handle. When they went to Malaysia they started making them with the straight shaft and the earlier units were put on the shelf.
I have read posts where some do actually like the "S" handle and I will be posting the complete shaft in the Classifieds when I get the GT. All my coils are on their own complete rod set-ups and all I really wanted was the control box itself anyway.
hydraglide
New member
Up to a couple of weeks ago (maybe still) my local dealer was still selling new GTs...as far as I know the S was for Europe, did your new Sovereign come from the UK ?
The S handled GT were not made for the USA as I got one of the first GT made here in the USA and it was straight shaft. They were advertised as one of the improvement on the Elite and the GT over the XS2a, but those in the UK were the S shaped handled ones. Every thing else was the same that I know of and had been discussed several years back when the Elite and then the GT came out as we notice there were 2 different handled set up from us in the USA and those in the UK.
I think what we are seeing now with the S handled ones and maybe more will show up is some of the GT Minelab has are those left over from the UK stock being you cant find a new one with a straight shaft over here in the USA. I am sure they are the same in every way other than the shafts and if this is the case it will be nice maybe a few can get a new GT as they were one great detector as many of us know.
I dont know this for sure, but it is my opinion of why we are seeing a S ahaft one.
Rick
I think what we are seeing now with the S handled ones and maybe more will show up is some of the GT Minelab has are those left over from the UK stock being you cant find a new one with a straight shaft over here in the USA. I am sure they are the same in every way other than the shafts and if this is the case it will be nice maybe a few can get a new GT as they were one great detector as many of us know.
I dont know this for sure, but it is my opinion of why we are seeing a S ahaft one.
Rick