ACE 250 question (headphones)

[pharmerb]

I bought a 1/8th to 1/4 inch adapter for headphones but after trying 2 different sets of headphones (which work on other audio devices) neither works.

I know it's not the headphones... and although I'm not sure how to test the adapter I am fairly certain it is OK.

Do I have to do something special to the ace to get the headphones to work?

The speaker in the unit does not work when I have the adapter plugged in so I know I'm getting the adapter in correctly.

Checked through owners manual and it doesn't really say anything about it.

I tried a higher dollar set of headphones with built in volumes (yes i made sure it was turned up) and then a set of cheapie ear buds but no dice.

? Anybody else have any problem with this? Are the headphones offered by garrett worth the extra money?

[sectshun8]

With my ACE I did the same thing, bought an adapter, and used some Panasonic headphones with an inline volume control. No problems.

[OZ_IL]

Make sure the headphone switch is on stereo, NOT mono. I also use an adapter for some lightweight headphones I like to use during the summer.

[pharmerb]

Are you talking about a switch on the ace or on the headphones?

[OZ_IL]

Originally Posted by pharmerb

Are you talking about a switch on the ace or on the headphones?

Headphones should? have a switch that has a mono and stereo choice. My headphones will only work if set to stereo.

[Moonshine]

I did the same with my Ace with no problems. It sounds like the adapter. I know you can buy either mono or stereo adapters. Maybe you bought a mono adapter and for some reason that's why it isn't working properly.

[Dishhead]

I had that exact same problem, I had 2 of the plastic coated adapters that I tried to Get to work. I knew my head phones worked and no sound when the adapter plugged into the detector ( BH Lone star ). I went and borrowed a solid metal gold plated adapter and plugged it in and everything worked after that. Now like you I could not see the adapter being bad. But all I know is when I put the gold plated metal one in it worked. It was just weird.
Not sure if that will help you, but I just thought it was funny when I read your post.
Regards

[pharmerb]

actually I think that is the problem. I bet the little cheapie plastic adapter I bought is for mono..

I looked at the shiny gold toned one that was twice the price and just thought.. pshhht.. I'm not paying for it just cuz it's shiny and the other one isn't.

Oh well... back to radio shack.. lol

thanks I am99% positive that is going to fix my problem.

I just hate that beeping alerting everybody to what I'm doing.. I feel like the whole world stops what they are doing and looks my way when it starts beeping.. especially in pinpoint mode.

[ohiochris]

I had a brand new adapter before be defective right out of the package. When it was plugged in the detector made no sound as you are saying but there was a broken connection somewhere inside the adapter keeping the headphones from working. Got a different adapter and everything was fine.

[pharmerb]

I dug around and found the original package for the adapter and it is for a stereo 1/4 inch input to a 1/8th (they call it in 3.4 mm but whatever) mono headset.

Houston.. we have identified the problem please advise.

'nother trip to radio-snack.

[OverKill]

Your headphones are stereo,right?
You must use a 1/8 to 1/4 in. Stereo phone adapter,then you shouldn't have a problem. Take the MD and headphones to RadioShack,they will fix ya.
Look a the adapter and see if it has 2 bands on the post.That would be stereo.
Good luck.........

[pharmerb]

I am sure they are. I am assuming the stereo to mono adapter is the problem. I don't understand why they would even make such a beast?

If the adapter was just stereo to stereo would it not still work even if you had mono speakers?

The difference in stereo/mono is just a seperate signal to each speaker isn't it vs. just one signal to both speakers?

so a mono headset plugged into a stereo plug would work but not vice versa?

.. or am I all wet (AAAAAAAND deaf)

Not that all that matters. I think I just need an all stereo adapter.

[OZ_IL]

Originally Posted by pharmerb

I dug around and found the original package for the adapter and it is for a stereo 1/4 inch input to a 1/8th (they call it in 3.4 mm but whatever) mono headset.

Houston.. we have identified the problem please advise.

'nother trip to radio-snack.

Since you have the original package what is the part # on said package? Like to look it up on the Radio Shack site then.

[pharmerb]

It's in the vehicle that the wife took to work today. I'll try and remember to grab it.

[pharmerb]

I have the pkg. now. I don't really see a part number... lets see if I can figure this out.

there is a small number at the bottom "274-363" on the front.. that is probably it I guess.

on the back there are the normal UPC numbers and it has that same number on the back so I bet thats it.

it's officially called a 1/4" stereo male to 1/8" (3.5mm) mono female adapter.

Then says Ideal for connecting a 1/8" mono cable to a component with a 1/4" stereo jack.

[Moonshine]

I got my adapter at Radio Shack as well. You need stereo to stereo...your is mono to stereo.

You have: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062465
You need: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062468

or http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...odsInSession=1

I forget which one I got.

[SkiWhiz]

I am not a real doctor I only play one on tv & the people that work at Radio Shack are not brain surgeons believe it or not but should be bright enough to get you the right adapter if you bring your detector in the store. Just make sure to point out to them what hole on the detector the adapter goes in . I just love Radio Shacks as you can tell. Steve.

[pharmerb]

Radio Shack, you've got questions that we feel fairly confident our minimum wage, tatooed & pierced, high school students can answer.

I'll get er' figuuured out.

thanks!

[OZ_IL]

Without having my Ace in front of me I think I also bought a 1/8th to 1/8th right angle adapter, which plugged into my 1/4th to 1/8th adapter. This way, the headphone jack is plugged in a horizontal instead of vertical position. Can't remember why I ended up that way though LOL.

[SkiWhiz]

Originally Posted by pharmerb

Radio Shack, you've got questions that we feel fairly confident our minimum wage, tatooed & pierced, high school students can answer.

I'll get er' figuuured out.

thanks!

Knowledge isn't a requirement for sure (shucks I have been offered jobs at radio shack and I am dumber than a hill of beans), can't believe the number of times I have been at a rat shack store and asked them something and they had no idea, & I'm talking about the managers and all the other higer monkey monks. If a person is not in a real hurry you can get whatever you want from eBay,etc. alot cheaper than radio shack, way over priced. Ok enough of me rambling on about r.s. Steve.