There are always shortcomings in classic and standard rods for mass-produced models of metal detectors and, despite the seeming uselessness, there are people who come up with their own replacement for the standard rod on their favorite metal detector. It was from this cohort that the author of the rod that I recently got from a local metal detector store came from. It would seem – why change the bar on your device? But due to some backlashes in the process of work, and constantly spending time assembling the metal detector in front of the dig, I decided to try an alternative to the rod on the Minelab Equinox 800. And what came of it?
I’ll say right away that the device, and the Equinox is already a lightweight metal detector for me, has become even lighter. But despite the saved grams, the rod does not look weak and ready to fall apart; rather, on the contrary, it feels like the device has become stronger and there is no such strong fear of breaking something. But everything is simple – we are dealing with good and high-quality carbon from which it is made. However, carbon also has a disadvantage – do not rush to hit the reel against stones and other obstacles, carbon is sensitive to microcracks, which over time can become a problem. But in six months of use, nothing like this happened to me and, I’m sure, it shouldn’t happen, although I use Equinox in rather difficult conditions.
In terms of weight, the difference with the standard barbell turned out to be good (170 grams versus 286 grams), which gave us as much as 100 grams of savings. Anyone who thinks that 100 grams is funny and not serious – run around all day with a metal detector, and if before that you have to walk several kilometers through a forest or swamp to get to the digging point, then you will understand that every gram of your equipment is important.
Another bonus that I liked when comparing it with a standard barbell is that it folds quickly and easily, because we only have one place to attach two parts of the barbell, and not three, as with the standard one.
Not only does it fold for transportation 17 cm more compactly than the standard one, but the shortened version is also more convenient to use in water, for underwater searching. Also, interestingly, one mount instead of two in the standard one works better here and does not give any play when swinging the coil during a search. Backlash is what irritates me most when swinging a metal detector.
The very place where two rod elbows are connected. A big bonus – if you, like me, have all the coils in stock, then you can get two more lower rods and easily change the coils, you won’t have to unscrew the bolt and rearrange the coils every time. This thought has already overtaken me during my entire time as a cop, and I think that I will soon realize it.
A separate bonus of the fastening is the grip of the washer, which fixes it in a stationary state, which means that in order to tighten the fastener, we do not need to get a special tool, everything can be done right in the field, just twist the grip handle and tighten it, or, conversely, loosen the clamp. Everything ingenious is simple, truly.
The rod itself is covered with a protective film and does not scratch, no matter how much I use it, there are still no scratches. The metal fasteners on the rod clamp have not corroded over six months of use in different weather and climatic conditions, and there are no holes in the rod itself, and therefore no moisture, dirt or sand gets inside! I haven’t cleaned it once in six months, and this, as you understand, is another bonus for this barbell.
Changing the rods was also easy, if everything was clear with the coils, then with the handle and block, and the armrest, I had to work a little with a wrench, but it didn’t take much time. Yes, I have heard about various quick-release mounts for the handle to the bar, but I don’t use them. The key was included with the rod, so there was no need to search throughout the house for the hex key.
Having installed this rod once, I forgot that I had the original one somewhere. It was both easy and convenient; there was no point in switching to the original one, because the simple and affordable solution turned out to be more effective than the standard solution from Minelab.
And all day-to-day work now takes place with Equinox and a new barbell. Convenient both in the trash and on the beach, transportation of the entire set is completely simplified.
I can definitely only recommend this solution.
Do you use non-original rods on your metal detector? Many companies have such solutions, but for me this was the first experience that had a very positive impact.
