Steve Herschbach Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 This is pretty simple. Straight shaft, or some kind of curved shaft? The most common curved shaft is the S rod but there are others. Please vote in the poll so it tallies results but if you want to add commentary/particulars that is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klunker Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I always choose the straight and narrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredmason Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I have always preferred the s-shaft and handle. I think that shape reduces the strain on fingers and wrists and possibly elbows...unfortunately, all the Minelabs I have had used the other configuration. I don't care much anymore because the Hipstick and Doc's bungee carry most of the strain for me... fred 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold Hound Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I played around a fair bit with different shafts and found that the post handle with a shaft that has a slight curve in it was the most comfortable. The curve is best if it lines up with your second knuckle when holding the grip as this is the center of your arm, so it gives you the most control with the least effort and torsion when swinging. If you've ever tried a the fisher in Steve's picture above you would know what I'm talking about, they got it pretty spot on BUT where it fails is it dose not fold up to a compact easy to transport package. If the manufactures had ever listened to us prospectors they would make every detector so it can fit in a back pack when collapsed/folded up. Who doesn't want the convenience of their detector fitting in a backpack????? And while there at it they can make them all milspec IP64 waterproof!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardog Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 A straight shaft with an adjustable forward/back upright handle would be the ultimate for me. BAN THE S shaft! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Hillis Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 curved shaft with the post handle, like the F75 and Omega. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Herschbach Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 Normally I like a curved shaft/post handle. F75 was a real favorite of mine, and the G2 pictured above is similar but lacks the underarm battery for better balance. I say DO NOT BAN THE S shaft because done right like on the DEUS it is really good. I always liked my Gold Bug 2 setup. Spent a zillion hours swinging the SD/GP/GPX and always was just fine with it. Considering the weight a good design and a comfortable grip. I find it mostly is how the actual grip fits my hand and the weight/balance, not about straight or curved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasong Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Was there a reason Minelab switched from S shafts to straight shafts with post handles? Ergonomics or just to add the green GB button? I've never used an S shaft with a heavy detector before like the SD's, just lighter VLF's, so just curious. Does having the coil weight above your hand make a difference with a big coil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Herschbach Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 It was the other way around. The straight shaft goes back to the SD2000 if not before. The S shaft came in with the V2 series starting with the SD2100V2 and then the SD2200V2. I had a SD2200V2, kind of liked it. Never had a problem myself breaking a post handle off, but one thing for sure - you can't break it if you do not have it. For manufacturers in general the S shaft is just cheaper to make, and unfortunately they often get made cheap. Again, XP shows how that need not be the case. I have not actually answered the poll yet but I prefer simplicity and therefore I tend to like a S shaft design personally, but it has to be done right, and that is rare. Another S shaft model I grab and immediately like - the TDI SL. You have to have that underarm counterbalancing weight, or they are nose heavy, and that is not good. That is half the issue right there - nearly all straight shaft models are underarm control boxes. it is the S shaft units without that counterbalance that tend to feel really bad. Minelab SD2000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasong Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Is there a manufacturer that sells the post-handle version of something like a Deus shaft that collapses down that far and would accept a GPX with a bit of work? Loving the idea of the packability with that mod but I guess I'm just more used to post configuration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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