My Wireless Setup!

[HarveyH48]

Thanks for your input. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me. If there is a 0.2 second delay, I certainly don't notice it. I swing fast and it picks up targets w/o a hitch. I don't have any problems pinpointing either.

I swing a Fisher F70, which is lightening fast to begin with, perhaps that's why I am successful. If you have a slower machine and there is a lag in the signal, you may notice it. YMMV

All I can say is I spend more on coffee in one week then I spent on this experiment and I am completely happy with my results. I'm wireless and I love it!!

I've been using BlueTooth for over 3 years now, and have no complaints either. It worked on my Bounty Hunter QuickDraw II, and my Tesoro DeLeon. Pinpointing using the X method, without a problem, 5-6 inch plug (big enough to put my hand in there, if I'm going deep). I do pass over the target quite a few times, while pinpointing though, maybe that negates the delay, who knows. I don't trust the numbers, so go over the target, and listen, make sure it's something I want to dig, or at least interest enough. I just hunt for fun, stuff I leave in the ground, will probably still be there for another day, if not, there is still plenty of ground to hunt. I've got a full time job, so no need to be productive. Certainly not in any competition, seldom see anyone else detecting around town.

What I do know, is that BlueTooth works just as well for me, as the wired headphones, but without the leash. I'm tall, and cords are either really short, or too long and get snagged on everything. Needs some slack, since I tend to reach quite a bit. The cord was my number one complaint, wasted a lot of time and attention. Not a huge fan of over-the-ear phones either, earplugs aren't favorites, but better.

I've thought about hooking the transmitter up to the TV, and see how much of a delay, with video. Just really doesn't seem to be significant enough to bother, just a minor curiosity. Even if there is a few tenths of a second, that's really not huge. BlueTooth is the only wireless option, where you can buy the transmitter, and have a wide selection of receivers to choose from, not stuck with one style or type.

 

[JWalker3]

I was looking at those until I came across this review on Amazon:

"I bought this so I could use wireless headphones with my metal detector... unfortunately there is a sound delay making it very difficult to pinpoint objects in the ground, and basically useless for that purpose."

.....and the answer from TaoTronics:

"Bluetooth is not an instant transmission protocol and there are some lag / delay due to the time it takes for the signals to be encoded and transmitted. Typically if you're listening to music or audio only, you won't ever notice this lag.
However, pair audio with video or use Bluetooth devices with musical instruments where the user expects instant feedback and it is noticeable.

In general, the lag should be between 0.2 to 0.5 seconds. But there are some factors that can increase the amount of lag / delay you experienced:
* Signal interference from nearby wireless transmissions. Things gets really bad if you are near a radio broadcasting device
* Other Bluetooth signals within range. Not so bad, just a little more delay
* Obstacles in the transmission path. This makes the sounds cuts in and out all the time
* Defective internal circuits
* Yes, defective internal circuits can also cause excessive amount of lag. So if you experience more than 1 or 2 seconds of lag for no obvious reason, please contact us and let us know."

I have not had any luck with bluetooth setups; even those using aptx in both the sending and receiving units have suffered from too much lag. My test for wireless is to put a coin at the end of a ruler, then sweep the coil over it at a two second sweep speed to see where the target sounds off at. The best I've gotten out of bluetooth is about ten inches between the target and the spot where it sounds off. It's been a couple of years since I last tested a bluetooth device, yet I've seen people posting that they use & like them. Maybe they've improved since then?

I'm agreeing with you. But some people will be happy with bluetooth if they don't notice any lag with their detectors. The best hack for custom wireless I have found is using TDK TH-WR700's, they are $80 on amazon, second best is Rapoo 3070h for about $45. the biggest difference is price vs battery life/longevity.

If anyone wants info on wireless, let me know.

 

[Carlo]

I've been using BlueTooth for over 3 years now, and have no complaints either.

Glad it works for you too! When I read your original post in a different thread, I decided I was going to try it. I am glad I did! I was on my third set of earbuds and getting ready to buy a fourth when I decided I would try this.

I'm agreeing with you. But some people will be happy with bluetooth if they don't notice any lag with their detectors.

Thanks for your info as well. Sorry this never worked for you, but at least your wireless too, right! This is a cheap option folks can try if they want to give wireless a shot. I am not promising it will work for everyone, but it will work for some

GL & HH

 

[HarveyH48]

Could be that I slow way down, when pinpointing. I use a concentric coil, change directions when the tone stops, rather than a complete swing. My DeLeon is a single tone machine, but there is a whole lot of information packed into that tone. The coil has to be moving, but the slower the swing, the longer the tone lasts, and gives me more time to study the tone. A few tenths of a second, probably passes pretty quick in that time.

I don't really know if there is any significant lag, or if I simply adapted to it, or it never really mattered, because of the way I pinpoint, and study the tone, before deciding to dig. It just works very well for me. Much nicer than a cord, or full size headgear. It get's hot in Florida, summer is usually my off season. I get out occasionally, but even on overcast days, it's still hot and sweaty work. Get enough of that at my job.

 

[Carlo]

I am very much the same . The F70 prefers a faster swing for deeper seeking so I always go back to a promising hit and take my time pinpointing. I'm not only listening, but trying to judge size so I tend to slow down as well. I'm not in a race!

 

[FindandDetect]

I modified my Turtle Beach headphones. It uses 2.4ghz/5ghz WiFi and has no delay. I'm also able to use whatever headphones I want with it. The transmitter is on the detector via high quality Velcro. I connect the headphones of choice to the receiver and the receiver fits in my pocket. Pull the cord through my shirt to not have any loose wires. I've used them for 48+ hours with a set of fully charged AAA rechargeable batteries and have yet to recharge. I've tried Bluetooth and wasn't a fan but if it works for you then that's all that matters.

 

[JWalker3]

I modified my Turtle Beach headphones. It uses 2.4ghz/5ghz WiFi and has no delay. I'm also able to use whatever headphones I want with it. The transmitter is on the detector via high quality Velcro. I connect the headphones of choice to the receiver and the receiver fits in my pocket. Pull the cord through my shirt to not have any loose wires. I've used them for 48+ hours with a set of fully charged AAA rechargeable batteries and have yet to recharge. I've tried Bluetooth and wasn't a fan but if it works for you then that's all that matters.

What Model Turtle Beach headphones?

Never mind, I found your Mod thread on X32's

 

[AU1972]

anyone tried this stuff under water will it work let me know very interested

 

[JWalker3]

Not a waterproof setup, but 2.4ghz won't transmit through water to my knowledge.

 

[GetDiggin]

Yea MOST Bluetooth works just fine, the amount of delay would not even be noticeable by the human ear, but there are several cheap or poorly made Bluetooth Headphones that have a very noticeable lag that will bring you off target by about 6 inches in my experience. I had some that brings me off target by 6", some 1-2" (which obviously wouldn't make a huge difference), and others that put me directly on the target. So really I think it just all comes down to the Headphones themselves. I am glad you found some that work good!

HH,
Rich

 

[remmy]

I was looking at those until I came across this review on Amazon:

"I bought this so I could use wireless headphones with my metal detector... unfortunately there is a sound delay making it very difficult to pinpoint objects in the ground, and basically useless for that purpose."

.....and the answer from TaoTronics:

"Bluetooth is not an instant transmission protocol and there are some lag / delay due to the time it takes for the signals to be encoded and transmitted. Typically if you're listening to music or audio only, you won't ever notice this lag.
However, pair audio with video or use Bluetooth devices with musical instruments where the user expects instant feedback and it is noticeable.

In general, the lag should be between 0.2 to 0.5 seconds. But there are some factors that can increase the amount of lag / delay you experienced:
* Signal interference from nearby wireless transmissions. Things gets really bad if you are near a radio broadcasting device
* Other Bluetooth signals within range. Not so bad, just a little more delay
* Obstacles in the transmission path. This makes the sounds cuts in and out all the time
* Defective internal circuits
* Yes, defective internal circuits can also cause excessive amount of lag. So if you experience more than 1 or 2 seconds of lag for no obvious reason, please contact us and let us know."

I have not had any luck with bluetooth setups; even those using aptx in both the sending and receiving units have suffered from too much lag. My test for wireless is to put a coin at the end of a ruler, then sweep the coil over it at a two second sweep speed to see where the target sounds off at. The best I've gotten out of bluetooth is about ten inches between the target and the spot where it sounds off. It's been a couple of years since I last tested a bluetooth device, yet I've seen people posting that they use & like them. Maybe they've improved since then?

I did not use that particular brand but id was not happy with the Bluetooth setup I tried. The lag was very slight but the volume was greatly diminished and the tones changed dramatically. Very hard to tell some tones apart so unfortunately I remain tethered.

 

[lookiethere]

Hi folks, Long time lurker, first time poster here. I've been detecting for about 20 yrs. now with a few different Garrett's. My current being the AT pro. I've always detested the cord and about 6 months ago decided to go wireless.
My first try being FM transmitter and headphones. Horrible sound. Next, bluetooth trans. & cheap phones. THE DELAY(Latency), Horrible. Next, the rapoo set up. It was like starting over with my machine again with the bad sound quality.
I then decided to try bluetooth again with some different combinations to try to eliminate the delay (latency). By this time I had thrown so
much money down the drain I was too stubborn(stupid) to give up. The latency of bluetooth is there no matter what people say. Unless you slow your coil to a very, very slow crawl over a target you will dig 1 foot diameter holes.
I was determined to stick with bluetooth because I really love my music and wanted some quality headphones for double duty. So here's the key. BOTH the transmitter AND the heaphones MUST be called low latency. and except for gamer phones there is not too many choices.
In my case I chose the Plantronic Back Beat Pro phones(ouch expensive) along with a Coredy bluetooth transmitter. Both from Amazon. Whatever you try they must BOTH be called low latency. There will be no delay whatsoever and the sound quality will be just as good as corded. Good Luck.

 

[lookiethere]

It looks like I forgot to add that to the set up you would also need the Garrett headphone adapter and a small inline volume control to kill the detecter speaker.

 

[wmpwi]

Hi folks, Long time lurker, first time poster here. I've been detecting for about 20 <snip> the sound quality will be just as good as corded. Good Luck.

I too was tired of the cord. Every other time I knelt down to dig, I'd jerk the headphones off one way or the other. I tried the FM strategy as well and you are correct about the sound quality, but it was also real annoying w/ the occasional interference from local FM radio reception.

I just took the plunge and went w/ the same transmitter you recommended, but had to go w/ a cheaper earbud option (Acode Stereo Bluetooth Sports) also low latency. Budget will cost me battery life I guess. Hope my set up works as well as yours does. Worst case it I may have to swing slower.

 

[lookiethere]

I too was tired of the cord. Every other time I knelt down to dig, I'd jerk the headphones off one way or the other. I tried the FM strategy as well and you are correct about the sound quality, but it was also real annoying w/ the occasional interference from local FM radio reception.

I just took the plunge and went w/ the same transmitter you recommended, but had to go w/ a cheaper earbud option (Acode Stereo Bluetooth Sports) also low latency. Budget will cost me battery life I guess. Hope my set up works as well as yours does. Worst case it I may have to swing slower.

You made a great choice. Apt-X low latency. The buds will be alot nicer when it's hot out.

 

[wmpwi]

I gotta tell you, I had high hopes for the FM configuration so 15 minutes after UPS drove off I was in the back yard, and 5 minutes after that I struck gold.

Unfortunately, the gold was from the 60's, more specifically a golden oldie by the Four Seasons that was bleeding through from some over/under modulated FM station in the area. I'm pretty sure it was 'Under My Skin' As much as I like the song, it made the whole metal detecting experience very unproductive. The whole setup is already in boxes heading back to Amazon.

Tomorrow, after UPS arrives, the Bluetooth experiment starts.

 

[airscapes]

I gotta tell you, I had high hopes for the FM configuration so 15 minutes after UPS drove off I was in the back yard, and 5 minutes after that I struck gold.

Unfortunately, the gold was from the 60's, more specifically a golden oldie by the Four Seasons that was bleeding through from some over/under modulated FM station in the area. I'm pretty sure it was 'Under My Skin' As much as I like the song, it made the whole metal detecting experience very unproductive. The whole setup is already in boxes heading back to Amazon.

Tomorrow, after UPS arrives, the Bluetooth experiment starts.

What transmitter did you buy? Unfortunately I did not post in this wireless thread but the info is in many others. This transmitter has sufficient output to prevent the commercial stations from stomping on you.
http://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Transmitter-Broadcast-Adjustable-Frequency/dp/B00IMWRK60
Hopefully your new stuff will work ok.

 

[wmpwi]

What transmitter did you buy? Unfortunately I did not post in this wireless thread but the info is in many others. This transmitter has sufficient output to prevent the commercial stations from stomping on you.
http://www.amazon.com/Signstek-Transmitter-Broadcast-Adjustable-Frequency/dp/B00IMWRK60
Hopefully your new stuff will work ok.

It was one I'd seen in a youtube video by someone I believe to have been in Australia. While it probably worked we got him, the Grand Rapids area was a test market for FM radio when it first came out. We have a lot of stations in the area so the bandwidth is pretty crowded. I have no doubt there is equipment like this that will take care of the problem, but I think geography (read FM Radio saturation) plays an important role in interference.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[airscapes]

Philadelphia is the same.. only a couple of spots with only distance stations.. If you BT fails, give this a go with a quality FM receiver. I have noticed the single AAA radios do not have the sensitivity of those that use 2 AA like the http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-DT-400.../dp/B0012YHQVE

I have a walkman that uses 1 AA and an OLD walkman with tape player that used 2 AA along with the Sangean.. The new single battery walkman is really bad with fm reception compared to the others.

 

[wmpwi]

The more I learn about this whole process the more I realize how little I actually know, that is except one thing; if I spend much more on this stuff I'm going to be using a metal detector to find the fillings from my teeth after my wife knocks them out of me.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk