Cheap GMP Upgrade...

[Bargeman]

I have just done a cheap upgrade on my GMP, a whole £2.40 improvement



Original on right, new on left...



cold fingers or gloves, now easy to change batteries.

[nellyt5]

nice mod.............

[Bargeman]

Well it is a great detector let down by small silly things. the battery cover knobs as above, which would cost pennies to fix if they bought them in bulk. and having to take the controller cover off to do a battery change? I cut my cover so I can change them with the cover on, I seal the cut with gaffer tape.

[the-roman]

good idea there bargeman, where did you get them from? do you have an item number?

[Bargeman]

After searching my local hardware and electrical shops and drawing a total blank, I found them on a well known auction site.

I am not sure if I am allowed to put a link on here, so in respect to this great forum and mrix. I won't. but if you do a search for (2 X Thumb screws M4 BRASS INSERT) I am sure you could find something very similar for your XP.

if this breaks any forum rules, I apologise.

[the-roman]

[Ten pence!]

You could also use m4 wingnuts or search for m4 thumbscrews, having had to change batteries in the field thanks to the lack of a timely warning I machined up a couple of stainless stell knurled hollow nuts for my GMP, very easy to undo with cold fingers and being shiney easy to see if you drop them.

[Ten pence!]

Well it is a great detector let down by small silly things. the battery cover knobs as above, which would cost pennies to fix if they bought them in bulk. and having to take the controller cover off to do a battery change? I cut my cover so I can change them with the cover on, I seal the cut with gaffer tape.

Sew a zip in the back!

[liamnolan]

Nice tip from BM, in the past I turned the nuts upside down as that afforded a better grip. I gave up using the cover, too much hindrance when adjusting settings. Thanks for sharing, Liam

[Fusion]

Are they available in yellow or white? That would make them easier to find when dropped.
This thread includes info on emergency replacements for dropped/lost securing nuts:
viewtopic.php?f=242&t=56914

[Bargeman]

They are if you get the right can of paint. ,

[liamnolan]

They are if you get the right can of paint. ,

[littleboot]

Good idea BM.
It is the whole battery changing experience on the GMP that is the only irritation for me too.
Coming from a tesoro Invincible where battery changing was simplicity itself.... (ONE small rectangular battery with slide off cover. 10 seconds, job done).....it was very noticeable to me. All these testers of machines, the great and the good of metal detecting...why was this weak spot not shaken out in the design process?
It isn't simply the whole rigmarole of changing batteries with cold hands....my fingers are not very strong and simply trying to prise the batteries out of the holders is a nail-breaking nightmare.....but its compounded by not having a battery testing mode on the machine. With the Tesoro I simply flipped a switch to battery test and listened for the beeps. The more beeps the stronger the battery. Simple. With the GMP by the time it lets me know the batteries are on their way out the ship has already sailed. I end up discarding batteries too early rather than get caught out in the field with the ordeal of changing.
I will certainly look into getting some bigger nuts. Thanks BM. Can't think why it didn't occur to me before. Fresh pair of eyes.

[johntm]

I have just done a cheap upgrade on my GMP, a whole £2.40 improvement



Original on right, new on left...



cold fingers or gloves, now easy to change batteries.

just ordered mine,well spotted bargeman.

[Bargeman]

Did any of you try these replacement knobs?

[Bargeman]

It isn't simply the whole rigmarole of changing batteries with cold hands....my fingers are not very strong and simply trying to prise the batteries out of the holders is a nail-breaking nightmare.....

If you wrap a piece of insulating tape around one of the batteries at the centre of the holder, leaving a little flag to grip, the batteries come out with no effort and no broken nails

You can prepare four of the batteries at home before it is time to change them, just to save time.

BM

[ChrisWilson618]

Did any of you try these replacement knobs?

I purchased some and they are perfect for the job.