Coil cover. To use or not ?

[oldartefact]

I have a coil cover for my AT Pro but never use it,
Nobody in my club uses them, Do they protect the coil enough to extend its life ?

fishypaul, by far the vast majority of detectorists that I know use coil covers, for the reasons listed above.

Additionally as you can also see the majority of responders also use coil covers.

Therefore it does seem VERY stange that you say "Nobody in my club uses them", can you explain why this is. Is there anything unique about where you detect?, or a very strange club rule!?.

Evan

Thanks for all your replies,
I must admit I have not seen any of my club mates using a coil cover,
But this has got me thinking,I will ask the question at our next club meeting

It may well be that you just haven't noticed them... when the coil covers are fitted they blend in very well.

[Oxgirl36]

It may well be that you just haven't noticed them... when the coil covers are fitted they blend in very well.

Completely agree OA, that was exactly what I was thinking

[Saffron]

That sounds much more likely than EVERYBODY not using coil covers.

[Spooky]

Agree with hairyhands and the majority... why on earth would you NOT use a coil cover... why would you actually take it off if its supplied.. does not make any sense at all.

[Thunderace]

I think if they don't effect performance, but could save your coil, you have to use them, better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

[Phil2401]

I think if they don't effect performance, but could save your coil, you have to use them, better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

Hit the nail on the head Thunderace - despite the scientific impossibility that plastic coil covers can in some way impair the performance of the coil, apparently some believe otherwise.....

Phil

[Kefyn]

Fishypaul,
When you say 'coil cover ' do you mean the black plastic cover that clips on the bottom of the coil (that you can't see from above when fitted) or do you mean a cover that you slip the coil into and fasten (as sold on flea bay) to stop your coil getting dirty, and twigs etc getting tangled in it??
Regards.

[Koala]

I don't use one


then again I was given the coil for free.


if I had payed money for it. yep I would use one


if you do use one the need cleaning out occasionally

[Pete E]

I can't think of a good reason not to use one??

We're coils built of tougher more wear resistant materials in the past so covers were not considered so essential?

[Sewin]

I may be swimming against the tide here a bit, (nothing new there ha-ha), but I have used detectors in the past without coil covers.
One of my first PI machines, the Detectorpro Headhunter did not have a coil cover; bought new from USA. The coil was substantially built I think and may have outlasted several flimsy covers of today’s machines. It had a degree of, I wouldn’t call it abuse, but tough use on rough ground of estuaries (sharp cockle shells, gravel etc) and in rock pools and of course your average sandy beach. It did not have one single chip in it.

Another solidly built machine I bought, that did not come with a coil cover is the Crossbow Classic. But, the underneath of this coil screamed out at me that, due to the design and finish, it did need a cover. I found a cover and have used it since, but I have to remove it after every session to empty out the sand.

The Mirage PI I have built by Sven himself, does not have a cover and by the looks of it, would be in the same league as the Headhunter and I have yet to put on a cover. The smaller coil that came with the Mirage is also of a build quality I would not hesitate to use without a cover and did not come with one.

Beach detecting again, I have used my Minelab Sovereigns with original coils with covers with very little concern with ingress of sand. The covers fitted so well, they had to be put into warm water for the cover to be levered free to be removed and after several months had far less sand trapped than one session with the Equinox.

I have used several brands of aftermarket coils for my Minelab detectors (including Explorer models) for beach use. The main coil, a WOT by Coiltek did allow ingress of sand after a while and I found the removing of cover and washing tiresome. I tried sealing on the cover with a bit of success but the sealer would fail after a while. Today, I would use a completely different product for that purpose. After time, the coil covers split and failed. I sought an alternative…..

On American forums I came across a solution to washing out covers and ‘gluing’ on covers and replacing covers; that was to spray ‘truck bed liner’ on the underneath and sides of coils (without the cover). I even sprayed the coil top surface. No more removing of cover, no more rinsing out of sand, hooray! A regular quick inspection was obviously required, a few seconds only and any chips in the surface were easily rectified by a quick touch up. I am still using one WOT coil after 10 years treated as described.

Warning If you do want to try the ‘truck bed liner’ solution to coil cover grief, please check even before you buy a product, that the spray does not contain metal particles in it. I won’t give the product details of what I use in case the formula has changed since my purchase. Satisfy yourself first!

I was shocked to see the underneath of the Equinox 15” coil. What’s this all about? A future job will be to do away with the cover and fill the holes and protect the coil from scrapes, chips etc. I am looking into carbon fibre filler/epoxy/carbon mat products. If you have any suggestions, I would be thrilled to hear from you.
Remember, sometimes there isn't a right or wrong way and each to their own.

[sponge]

My trusty C Scope 6mxi has had four coil covers so far over the last 8 years of use.

Would have almost certainly needed a new coil by now without using one.

Its a no brainer - they are cheap to buy & wont effect performance in any way.