Rcdigs Ws6 Mount! (v1 Update)

[F350Platinum]

Recently @steveg asked for volunteers to test a new RCDIGS mount for the XP Deus 2 WS6 headphone puck that doubles as a Deus 2, often called the WS6 Master.

I got the first prototype and am very impressed with it.

I wish I had a photo of the mount before I installed it on the XP Deus "Lite" shaft I bought for it, I wanted the opportunity to create the lightest possible configuration, and I'm glad I did. 

The mount consists of the shaft mount portion, and a screw down cover to hold it in place.

Here is the mount before putting the puck in, it has a slot at the bottom to hold the puck in position. The headphone adaptor when attached will also fit.

Screw the bezel on and you're done, in this case you have a metal detector that weighs 1.8 pounds, and does most everything the Deus 2 RC can do.

I took it out for a field test, and found a bunch of buttons, which was my last post.

I had a few suggestions for Ryan, the creator of the mount:

1. The angle of the mount is the same as the standard XP mount, I thought for better access to the buttons it should be tilted back more toward the user.

2. Water/heat mitigation - the original mount is a solid enclosure. The WS6 might get hot in there, and if one got caught in the rain enough water might build up inside the mount to "drown" the WS6.

It hasn't been warm yet on any of my hunts but I recalled when I first got my Equinox I put a cover over the control box, and at the beach it got so hot it blanked out the LCD.

3. The wired headphone adaptor - the enclosure is deep enough to fit the adaptor, but there was no exit for a cable to connect wired headphones or a transceiver to use other wireless headphones.

Ryan changed the mount angle and just recently sent me a photo of the improved mount which I was very impressed with. He wrote that I could review it when it went live on his site, today is the day. 🙂

As you can see the back of the mount is now similar to the top of the RC RCDIGS mount, a hexagonal mesh that will allow air flow, and water will go right through it. 👍 Also note the notch for attaching a cable from wired headphones. It may also allow a transceiver to be plugged in. 

These mounts are very well made, one does have to consider that anything that is printed like this might be a little more fragile than something that is injection molded. I love my RCDIGS mount for my Deus 2 RC, and can't wait to get my hands on the V0.3 mount which I purchased from Ryan, I'll be taking it for a week at a beach where I will put it through a rigorous marathon of detecting.

You can order it now on his website:

https://www.rcdigs.com

My apologies to Ryan for posting his prototype photo, but I don't have mine yet. Coming soon! 🙂

Here's another idea I came up with, I bought some 20 mil vinyl and a cheap circle cutter, and cut a 65mm circle to install over the puck when I screw the bezel on:

It fits nicely and keeps me from scratching the WS6 face.

GL, HH 🍀

[ColonelDan]

Ryan and Steve make a good team…great products. 👍🏻😊

[F350Platinum]

Just now, ColonelDan said:

Ryan and Steve make a good team…great products. 👍🏻😊

Couldn't agree more. Both are very serious about their creations and committed to the best quality of fit, form and function possible. 🙂

I have been very grateful to be allowed to contribute a few things, but they are the masters of the craft. 

[NCtoad]

Very nice!  And well done on the vinyl cover!  Off topic a little but what’s the difference between the regular shaft and the lite one?   Not just the weight but are there any other differences like more flimsy?

[F350Platinum]

2 minutes ago, NCtoad said:

Very nice!  And well done on the vinyl cover!  Off topic a little but what’s the difference between the regular shaft and the lite one?   Not just the weight but are there any other differences like more flimsy?

Thanks NC,

The difference is the upper part is all some sort of tough composite plastic, it feels as solid and possibly more rigid than the standard XP shaft. It still has the aluminum mid rod and can be retracted the same way. The hand grip is also plastic, not rubber like stock, but is just as comfortable. 

You're not off topic at all really, I meant to feature the whole rig. 

I bought it not only because it is $25 cheaper than the stock shaft, but also because I was curious and wanted to have a different take should someone else review it. 

I like it. 👍

[NCtoad]

53 minutes ago, F350Platinum said:

Thanks NC,

The difference is the upper part is all some sort of tough composite plastic, it feels as solid and possibly more rigid than the standard XP shaft. It still has the aluminum mid rod and can be retracted the same way. The hand grip is also plastic, not rubber like stock, but is just as comfortable. 

You're not off topic at all really, I meant to feature the whole rig. 

I bought it not only because it is $25 cheaper than the stock shaft, but also because I was curious and wanted to have a different take should someone else review it. 

I like it. 👍

Thanks Bob.  Do you happen to know the weight of the standard shaft?   I found the weight of the lite shaft at 320 grams, but can’t find the weight listed for the standard shaft.  Just wondering if it’s worth switching to the lite version.  

[F350Platinum]

32 minutes ago, NCtoad said:

Thanks Bob.  Do you happen to know the weight of the standard shaft?   I found the weight of the lite shaft at 320 grams, but can’t find the weight listed for the standard shaft.  Just wondering if it’s worth switching to the lite version.  

Switch? Nah, but if you need another shaft for something you have another choice, by far the least expensive. 🙂

I couldn't find the D2 shaft weight anywhere either, but there is a lot of discussion about it here, maybe @Jeff McClendon did some weight comparisons.

One thing I noticed was that the camlocks aren't quite as "lock-y" on the coil lower as the more expensive one, but that could be just the one I got.

While I'm at this it bears mentioning the stand that you brought to everyone's attention, yet another person that makes quality stuff at a reasonable price. Can't thank you enough for that. Eric is a great guy and I chatted back and forth with him quite a bit.

This is not the "lite" version stand that he makes, I wanted the large one that can hold the 13" from rolling and took tin snips and a file to the legs on the Lite shaft cuff feet to make it fit, they are wider but have the same curve dimension. 😅 I also added a Neoprene cuff insert I got somewhere and cut it to fit.

The long one sometimes snags on my gear, but not having to chase my detector down the beach on a windy day is worth it. 🤣

[Joe D.]

Great job Bob, and kudos to the guys making the accessories!🍀👍👍

[F350Platinum]

33 minutes ago, Joe D. said:

Great job Bob, and kudos to the guys making the accessories!🍀👍👍

Thanks Joe D,

For sure this forum can make or break something from an individual or a corporation, or a single object. 

These 3 gentlemen are fine examples of aftermarket gear creators who are not just in it for a quick buck, we've all run across those. 

I used to solve big computer problems all the time, now that I'm retired it is a great pleasure to have a chance to "fiddle" with stuff. I don't ask for any compensation. I never thought for a moment that retirement would be boring. 🤣

[steveg]

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words!

And thank you VERY much, Bob, for the review.  Great stuff, and I'm glad Ryan was able to incorporate some changes that you suggested.  He's really good about adjusting based on user input.

Thanks for your time, and the detailed report, as always..>

Steve