First Impression: Steve’s Deus II Detector Rod

[ColonelDan]

Having just received the carbon fiber shaft for my Deus II from Steve’s Detector Rods, I wanted to provide the forum with my first impressions---those of a user versus a design engineer. Bottom Line up front: This is simply a work of art that promises to significantly improve the detecting experience of Deus II users.

 

Initial Inspection

Fit, Finish, Balance and Weight: As in all of Steve’s shafts, the fit and finish is truly superb. He has once again gone to great lengths to make a shaft that is really superior. The weight is a feather light 16.61 ounces and I can sense that the balance has been improved over the stock version

 

Shaft Length and Lock up: The length of the lower rod and overall shaft is longer than the stock XP shaft which allows the lower shaft to extend farther up into the middle shaft providing greater stability. The cam locks are far superior to the stock shaft and are the same ones he used on his Equinox version--tight as a bank vault.

 

Arm Cuff and Stand: The cuff and stand are much improved over the stock set up. The cuff is also of carbon fiber and extremely stiff. The stand is wider and taller resulting in greater stability when resting the Deus on the ground and is infinitely adjustable to any length of reach. Steve even provides the Allen wrench needed to tighten it down.

 

Grip: The grip is carbon fiber and very comfortable with a slight finger bump which helps to insure a firm hold. Great pains were taken here regarding the angle of the grip which provides a comfortable hold and the length of thumb reach to the Remote Control (RC) buttons is very accessible.

 

Mount and Coil Attachment: Steve’s rod came with a cap over the RC mount as does the stock shaft. This was a bear to remove as the fit has been improved to prevent unintentional dropping of the RC when in use. The RC mount is very solid with tighter tolerances. This resulted in a much better fit than the stock mount with which Deus II users are all too familiar—the RC can easily drop off the stock shaft after an inadvertent bump. Steve’s mount really secures the RC tightly. Even so, he designed an attached locking mechanism that can be thumb or screw driver tightened which provides an added level of security. The coil attachment uses the stock XP hardware so there is no need for anything proprietary.

 

Shaft: As I said, the shaft is not only longer than the stock shaft but round versus the trapezoidal shape of the the XP shaft. This may take a little getting used to as the shaft now freely rotates when the locking cams are opened. I questioned this at first but then realized the benefit. I can now precisely select the angle of the RC so I can view the screen better if that’s what I wanted to do. Great!

 

Options: Steve offers several options that will personalize your shaft. If you like he will provide the capability for an internal channel for the underwater antenna and can outfit the upper shaft to accommodate a counterbalance weight just as he did with the Equinox. Even though this shaft is longer than the stock one, he can also provide additional length for those really really tall folks.

 

Conclusion: This shaft is an extremely usable thing of beauty in my view. It has been very well thought out and in great detail. It’s rugged and stiff with absolutely no wobble. It was very simply and very clearly designed and built with the user in mind and with user input from multiple user sources.

You can read Steve’s own words about this shaft with photos at:

https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/20979-deus-shafts-in-production/#comments

 

As I said, this is just my initial impression. I will add to this review after my first beach run with Steve’s new Deus II shaft.

[martygene]

details man, details... we need more details .. LOL

fantastic review. 

I got mine yesterday too but because I'm not well I didn't get to it.

I just took the rod out of the box   ... all i can say is 

WOW ... my review?

SLICK  

[Doc Bach]

Great review and information Colonel D.Would you by chance use the XP 280 backpack to transport your detector in and if so does the new shaft fit comfortably? I have already posed this question to Steve via e.mail and of course he can build me one any length that I desire but it would be good to have the extra length or even longer and know that it will fit inside of the pack.Maybe you or some other forum members will know.Thanks D.B.

[ColonelDan]

3 minutes ago, Doc Bach said:

Great review and information Colonel D.Would you by chance use the XP 280 backpack to transport your detector in and if so does the new shaft fit comfortably? I have already posed this question to Steve via e.mail and of course he can build me one any length that I desire but it would be good to have the extra length or even longer and know that it will fit inside of the pack.Maybe you or some other forum members will know.Thanks D.B.

In fact, I had the same question so I did test it and it does fit inside the 280 backpack even with my 11” coil attached to the lower rod.

[Doc Bach]

7 minutes ago, ColonelDan said:

In fact, I had the same question so I did test it and it does fit inside the 280 backpack even with my 11” coil attached to the lower rod.

Awesome and thanks!

[F350Platinum]

Thanks ColonelDan! Nice detailed first impression. It's kinda fun to be first... ?

Mine is on the way, I requested the drilling to hide the cable. May not use it much because I don't do a lot of beach hunting but I'm glad it will be there if I want it.

I've got the 13" coil, and with a centering device it doesn't feel any different than the 11", so I think I can do without the counterweight.

I think SteveG busted his butt to get these out, he deserves a commendation on that alone. ?