Using The E-Trac BELOW 32 Degrees ???

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Like some of the other member's in this forum - I'm still trying to get out detecting on the warmer Winter days.

My concern is that the Minelab Manual says not to operate the E-Trac's below 32 degree's F.
I'm not trying to second guess the Mfg.- just wanted to know if anyone knows if running these machines at a few degrees below freezing will damage the processor ?
And I'm not talking about charging out into 17 degrees to get a few coins.

Example - On a typical winter day here you can go out in the middle of the day and it's say - 36 degree's - hunt for a few hours - then by the time your done hunting and turn the ET off - it could have dropped to say... 28 degrees.

I will call Minelab direct with this question - just wanted to see if you Tech guy's had any opinions on the subject.

Happy Hunting & Happy Holidays To All ! --- Mark

 

[pro778]

I've used mine down into the teen's. When it's blow the mid 20's I put a hand warmer under the rain cover. I haven't had any problems.

 

[Neil]

Mark I hunted many times last year in the woods with mine well below freezing with no problem.
the hunts were about 3 hours in length each and never had a screen problem. Ive done it with an explorer also and no problem. I use the factory cover in the woods and a plastic bag over the head if at the beach. the factory cover holds sand and salt so I wouldnt recommend that at the beach.

please post and let me know if minelab says this does damage in some way, used mine all summer and still works like new.

 

[Nick A]

When I was out the other day in the cold it seemed like the LCD screen was a little sluggish, but worked fine.

 

[Jason in Enid]

Forget the E-Trac, it's ME that trouble operating in the cold!

 

[hunter 18]

The reason why they don't recommend or want for you to do that (to use the unit on low temperatures ) is due to bringing the unit from a cold freezing environment to a warm one
will cause the unit to produce humidity internally and that is what may cause you problems.(The Battery or the main board for example)
if you can keep the unit warm ?? you may can get away whit it but keep in mind humidity is the worse enemy of the electronics.( especially if the electronics are not hermetically seal or low temperature rated)
bean tear don that and pay for it.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Thanks for all your replies to my post.

Happy Holidays ! --- Mark

 

[mr.krayola]

my screen seemed a little sluggish in the cold also

 

[Steve from Ohio]

My screen would stop working when temps went into the 20's. The engineers are telling you not to use it in cold weather for a reason. Those screens just cannot work as well in the cold. Also as mentioned by others, the problem with condensation is also a good reason not to use it in the cold.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Thanks for all your posts !
Seems like condensation is the number one problem.
So ... i think what I will do is if I use the E-Trac in slightly below freezing temperatures is ...

Put it back in the insulated / foam lined - Minelab carry bag when I'm done hunting for the day.
Keep the heater in the car on low the way home.
Hang the ET in a cooler ( 40 - 50 degree ) area in my basement.
And let it warm up very slowly across a few hours so no condensation will form.

Happy Holidays ! --- Mark