Gpx handle, Musketeer mods.

[karelian65]

A while back I bought a Minelab Musketeer Advantage, complete kit with TS800, TS1000 and the 15" Wot coils. The s handle with the detector mounted up front was terrible. I changed over to a GPX upper rod, mounted the detector under the elbow and used the cheap handle without the buttons.. Put rubber boots over the switches to keep sand out and then built a light weight PVC tubing stand to keep it off the ground. Pretty close to perfect .. but that soft foamy grip on the handle was a bit iffy. Ended up finding a cheap fix.

Pickup up a cheap BMX style handlebar grip with a locking cam, nice ergonomic rubber. Solid and grippy, nice to hold etc. Calipers told me it was going to be a perfect fit, except for the very top of the plastic handle. I just hacked off the top 10mm from the plastic handle and slid the grip on, perfect fit. A couple layers of electrical tape at the base of the handle for the cam to bite into, then glued the end cap onto the grip and it was done.. Perfection at last for less than $10 for the grips.

A few more mods if you have a GPX for the button etc but it beats the foam big time. Big selection of bicycle handles out here to choose from.

Good luck and all the best.

 

[karelian65]

They say the devil is in the detail. Just some pictures to further illustrate the bicycle grip change from the foam.
The foam is softer and tighter to pull over the handle, it offers no structural stength.
The bicycle grip cannot fit over the top of the handle, it must be cut off or trimmed with a Dremel to allow the grip to slide over it.
The bicycle grip is SOLID and offers structural support for the handle, making it stronger. but not at the base.
.

The locking cam needs some tape on the base of the handle to bite into, it will be tight with no flex or movement.

If you get decent quality grips the rubber is soft and ergonomic, there are choices to be made from steel, rubber, wood, cork, the selection of bicycle handles is endless, just make sure it has that locking cam on one end at least.

The end plug could be modified to take the button on the GPX.

Again hope this helps.

 

[PhaseTech]

A while back I bought a Minelab Musketeer Advantage, complete kit with TS800, TS1000 and the 15" Wot coils. The s handle with the detector mounted up front was terrible. I changed over to a GPX upper rod, mounted the detector under the elbow and used the cheap handle without the buttons.. Put rubber boots over the switches to keep sand out and then built a light weight PVC tubing stand to keep it off the ground. Pretty close to perfect .. but that soft foamy grip on the handle was a bit iffy. Ended up finding a cheap fix.

Pickup up a cheap BMX style handlebar grip with a locking cam, nice ergonomic rubber. Solid and grippy, nice to hold etc. Calipers told me it was going to be a perfect fit, except for the very top of the plastic handle. I just hacked off the top 10mm from the plastic handle and slid the grip on, perfect fit. A couple layers of electrical tape at the base of the handle for the cam to bite into, then glued the end cap onto the grip and it was done.. Perfection at last for less than $10 for the grips.

A few more mods if you have a GPX for the button etc but it beats the foam big time. Big selection of bicycle handles out here to choose from.

Good to have pride in your gear and making little changes to make it your own. I think they work better then

 

[user 7268]

You do very neat work Sir ...................... a credit to you