strength of ExplorerS

[grunt0311]

Been swinging this ExplorerS for a few years with a 10" stock coil. My problem is that where the shaft fits into the main control box, wants to continually loosen. The latch that is supposed to tighten the two doesn't seem to do the job. 10-15 swings and i have
to push the two back together and relatch and on and on. Is the 10" coil to heavy for this detector? Even the bottom half of this shaft
seems to be weak. Is this a common complaint? And how do i go about strenthening this detector so that it doesn't swing like a willow branch?:sad:

 

[nicrasmit1]

look into getting a shoulder mount, also check the latch when it is closed with the midshaft inserted and check around the pin for cracks. I have the xs and recently found out if you store the detector with the clamps closed they get hairline cracks which will allow the shaft to come loose. I need to send minein to have the housing replaced and will not use it again until I get the shoulder mount for it. As far as the bottom shaft if you have the stock shaft I would seriously suggest upgrading to the carbon shaft which comes on the explorer II.

 

[grunt0311]

What is the shoulder mount you're speaking about? Thank you for your
response. My fustration is aimed at MineLab for the most part. I guess when i paid the bundle of cash for this detector i didn't really plan on having to upgrade or redesign the main frame. I am very pleased with the operation of the detector but am disappointed in the quality of the basic design. Is anyone from MineLab listening?

 

[nicrasmit1]

check out www.kellycodetectors.com they make an aftermarket kit where the control housing is secured to a shoulder/hip mount sling and a seperate shaft is used so you are not using a shaft in the control housing. When I purchased my XS i thought it was better made myself unfortunately I was only able to use mine about a dozen times before my control housing cracked because I did not know that while storing the detector the housing should be removed from the shaft. so mine has been sitting for about a year waiting to send in to get fixed. Fortunately I have my whites metal detectors as back ups. Hopefully Minelab will come up with some better material to make the housing out of, also an aftermarket coil such as the platypus or joey coil might help as they are lighter and better balanced.

 

[jim central mo]

take the shaft out and put a single layer of electrical tape around it and put it back together.i fixed mine two tears ago and haven't had any problems since.

 

[Chuck@TreasureHut]

Hello Grunt....my name is Chuck, and I am a Minelab Dealer. The early Explorers had a design malfunction, right where yours has loosened. You and several hundred others have had this problem. The hairline cracks have developed because the plastic in the latch area was not strong enough. Minelab caught the problem fairly soon and changed the plastic. For those who didn't get the news, Minelab offered to have the customer send back the unit, and it was put in a new control box to fix the problem. I just spoke with Jim Drummond in service at Minelab, and he suggested that I tell you to call him first, at (702) 891-8809, AND THEN SEND IT IN TO THEM FOR REPAIR. If it is the factory "hairline crack" problem, they will fix it at no cost to you. I would get with them soon. I hope this helps my friend, and if I can be of any service to you, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Chuck@TreasureHut
www.treasurehut.org

 

[grunt0311]

Thanks everyone for the advise. Will be calling MineLab to see if it can be fix. I also have a back-up machine so i'm not out of business just yet. Thanks again

 

[Chuck@TreasureHut]

Your welcome grunt.....good luck and good hunting.

Chuck@treasurehut.org