I have been a big Subsurface fan for a long time. I did buy a Maggie a while back and just didn't like it as much. The shape of the handle wasn't ergonomic for me though it looks like it should be.
I heard a story from Bob Zaenkert, creator of the Mag nail about taking an old locator and fitting the end with a weedeater head and presenting it at a Christmas party. There have been many a weed knocked down by an overly enthusiastic crewman.
Thanks for the info. I had a friend tell me a merger or buy out dealing with schonstedt he heard. Now not trying to start a rumor he had just heard that. Has anyone here heard that.
"There have been many a weed knocked down by an overly enthusiastic crewman."
$1000 locator, brush beater, hammer, pry bar...it is useful for all sorts of things.
My question is always...is there a way to know if it is stolen?
That’s good to know. Hey it’s made in the USA. Cheaper than the schonstedt. As of now.
You laugh but I use to carry a swing blade in truck for that reason years ago. I would mow a nice swath around my control and rake all the loose grass away. So it was nice and easy to see the point and move around the instrument running the gun. Now I have a Stihl weed whacker in farm truck. I can switch from blade to string like a nascar pit crew. I actually used the blade once in a briar thicket we were cutting grid sections through for Topo. The rest of the crew members thanked me a bunch.
Why, why has no one ever combined a metal locator and brush axe?! Imagine 8in of cutting blade attached to the bottom of the locator. WOW, that would be awesome.
Far above was mention of not fixing the blame for something being damaged too severely or soon. About 45 years ago two of us were working on a project for a concrete overflow dam to be built on a creek for irrigation water storage. Frank was driving the 200 foot-long Ford van (well, it seemed to be that long when turning anywher) and I was in the passenger seat. We were back out from the site driving along the bottom of the highway ditch to where I was going to hop out and head back to the office in my own vehicle while he stayed behind. We were discussing something when WHAM. He had driven straight into the end of the culvert and embankment of the field entrance. The van still ran but needed a good checking over before many miles. The contractor drove in at about that point, laughing at us. We agreed to let Frank stay and the contractor would get him to the office after their meeting at the site. I was to take the van to the mechanic a couple of blocks from the office to assess the damage. No cell phones, etc. in those days. So, I drove it to the shop, then walked to the office. It was a rare occurrence but the boss happened to be there. He noticed I had not driven up in the van, so that was question number one. I explained about what had happened. Then he loudly inquired as to HTHICBSS (How the ....I could be so stupid.) I was forced to admit that I was not the one driving it. He was still hot as a firecracker. Then it became an issue as to why I had not noticed that we were about to slam into the culvert. Turned out the damages were minor but he could have lost two employees that day based on his behavior.
Uhmm I have maybe hit a few culverts in my day. One in a suburban. Median between the highway. Yeah never saw it coming but we knew we were getting close. Another was I was comping and the crew chief was pulling a boat as we had done a hydro survey yeah Jon boat and paddles and level rod with prism. He was listening to me call and cus and dropped the boat trailer off the side of a culvert yeah luckily we could somewhat lift the old light trailer as it hung there.
I will get right on that and split the royalties with you. We can do it.
I have purchased and used the Schonstedt, the CST/Berger MagnaTrak and the Subsurface Instruments ML-1. My absolute favorite is the Subsurface Instruments ML-1. I repaired the box mounting on a few Schonstedts for my company. They may be reliable, but I don't consider them sufficiently rugged. The CST/Berger units were disappointing very quickly. Was glad when the last one died so I could get another ML-1.
The best part of the ML-1: I can turn it on and adjust the sensitivity without changing my grip. Plus, it's longer than the Schonstedt and I'm tall. Overall, the ML-1 ergonomics make it a winner for me.
Thank you. Well I am not tall but crawling around on my knees last weekend with 2 old pin flags and waiting for them to cross so I could start scratching around and digging for monuments was not fun. Those guys using dip needles for years must have thought the mag locator in general was the best thing since sliced bread. I do have 2 pins missing still but I am positive they are in just might be a bit deep and such.
Ok so those of you that have used the ML-1. How deep will it work. Have you found rods a few feet under ground with it.
Those that used the subsurface with TID how deep as well can you find a pin. For the houndog as well. Been looking and shopping.
I know what the 52cx will do in the depth portion. These with that TID technology ignore the fence line looks great on the YouTube videos. Just wondering how they really work and also the depth to pick up a pin a few feet or more below the surface.
Here's my 3 cents on magnetic gradiometers:
I have used several type since 1992. I have never found the added visual meters or polarity features to be useful. I would rather look at the ground and just listen to the instrument.
Listed in order of preference:
Subsurface ML-3:
I use one of these now, rebranded as a Fisher FML3
Great: Very sensitive: I can find a sewing needle up close or a rebar down 2 feet and tell the difference, fully waterproof, solid construction, slim so I can carry it in the bag along with the stakes.
Annoying: volume is only a medium setting- not loud enough by the highway, too loud on an early morning in a quiet neighborhood. Pretty fast response, but not real time instant like a GA52CX.
Subsurface ML-1, ML-1M:
Great: sensitive, same or maybe better than ML-3, goes loud and soft, very rugged. I have had two that were run over, one by a bulldozer and another by a truck (not my fault I swear...). Both still work fine for years, but the tube was bent. Bent tube mis-aligns the sensors and reduces depth range and causes the apparent target location to be offset.
Annoying: Water resistant, but not fully submersible. Control box a bit bulky. Also, same as above, pretty fast response, but not real time instant like a GA52CX.
Schonstedt GA-52Cx:
I have used these more than any others over many years.
Great: Very sensitive, instant real time response, wide volume range, headphone jack if you need it.
Annoying: I hate the physical design. Not ergonomic. Not at all water resistant. It will eventually die if you have dropped it in a river even if you try to dry it out (not sure how I would know that...). The internal structure bends over time and the housing "can" gets loose, it can't be tightened unless you re-straighten the internal structure. The battery clips get loose and the batteries lose contact from lack of support. The rotary switch and potentiometer wear out, or suffer from water damage, and knobs can break off. Damage to all of the above happens not only from use but also from road vibration while in the back of the van. Sure the long warranty is great, but you have to spend time sending it out and waiting for it to come back.
I have not tried other Schonstedt models.
CST Magna Trak series:
I have used a few.
Great: Ergonomic design, sensitive enough for basic work, durable enough for basic work, low price. Good volume range and adjustment.
Annoying: A little bulky, plastic housing can crack if abused. Audio response seems slightly delayed, requiring a slower swing speed when searching, or you risk missing detections. The versions with physical knobs can have wear and breakage problems.
Hound Dog / Magnawand:
I only used one for a short time.
Great: Slim design, water resistant, seems solidly made.
Annoying: Not fully water proof. Knob is shielded, but the potentiometer and switch will still be subject to wear. Audio response seems slightly delayed, requiring a slower swing speed when searching, or you risk missing detections. In my short use, sensitivity did not seem impressive.
That is a great write up. On the cons to the 52cx bracket. A fellow surveyor LS. He has seen that as a problem and he knows some guy that makes a special reinforcement bracket for them that solves the knobs and what not from breaking off. Just fyi. I am going to have to call and find that out. Also it keeps that connection to the battery from being an issue as well. That whole alignment issue of the housing. I have narrowed it down to the 52cx and the ML-1 or ML-1m. You have given me some thoughts to consider for sure. I truly am appreciative of that. I have mostly used the 52 sch in my career. The ML-1 a few times only and same for the cst. One thing I noticed after purchasing a few new sch ga 52cx is that the cases no longer have that soft touch of insulation at the place at end and up by handle battery and box end where the bar rest on inside the case use to had some grey strips which could help with the vibration in the van or truck. Now it’s simply the plastic case period. Maybe a touch of weather stripping or foam to help cushion it a little. Thank you for this information for sure.
