Bought a used CTX, have a few questions.

[dcbaros]

Just bought a 1 year old CTX with 17 inch coil. It should be here Thursday but I have a few questions. I want to upgrade the battery seal and armrest via Minelab but I tried calling the Chicago office several times today to ask about costs and no one would answer. I later read that they were having issues with the Chicago repair center and that kellyco is the current primary repair center. Has anyone had their CTX upgraded? Do they send you the parts or do you have to send it off? How much did it cost? Should I just call kellyco?

Also, I have never bought a used detector or owned a minelab. What are some common issues I should look for when I receive it to make sure I did not receive a lemon? If the owner was not lying about the age there should still be warranty left.

 

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[penzfan]

Call Dave or Marty @ Kellyco Service @ 1-407-699-8724. Just had my Excal II serviced there last week and they do great work. Call Nadia @ Minelab @ 1-630-401-8159 with the serial number and she can tell you if there is any warranty remaining. GL

 

[IDXMonster]

Along with what's been said...just look at the general overall condition. That in itself would tell you at least something about how it's been used and if it's been thrashed or not. A lot of people don't seem to understand,it's not a MACHINE,it's an INSTRUMENT. If you use it as a pogo stick,let it roll around in the back of your truck,drop it on the ground every time you dig a target,etc. it won't last long no matter WHAT brand or model it is. If it doesn't have a screen protector or environmental cover,GET ONE. If it doesn't have a coil cover GET ONE. I smoke,unfortunately. A couple weeks ago a cherry fell on my enviro cover and put a big burn mark on it. I'm not happy about it. I'd be ALOT unhappier if that was the screen itself. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention!
Be sure to stop back for all kinds of great advice,the CTX and MLs in general will find you stuff in places you've looked before. Some of it is because you simply didn't find it before,some of it is the technology involved. Learn the unit and you will be the happiest SOB on your block. And...while the 17" coil is great it ain't for everything,especially not all day. If you're not getting the stock coil,get that too,it's a perfect fit for a lot of sites and can be swung all day.
Good luck out there!

 

[dcbaros]

Along with what's been said...just look at the general overall condition. That in itself would tell you at least something about how it's been used and if it's been thrashed or not. A lot of people don't seem to understand,it's not a MACHINE,it's an INSTRUMENT. If you use it as a pogo stick,let it roll around in the back of your truck,drop it on the ground every time you dig a target,etc. it won't last long no matter WHAT brand or model it is. If it doesn't have a screen protector or environmental cover,GET ONE. If it doesn't have a coil cover GET ONE. I smoke,unfortunately. A couple weeks ago a cherry fell on my enviro cover and put a big burn mark on it. I'm not happy about it. I'd be ALOT unhappier if that was the screen itself. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention!
Be sure to stop back for all kinds of great advice,the CTX and MLs in general will find you stuff in places you've looked before. Some of it is because you simply didn't find it before,some of it is the technology involved. Learn the unit and you will be the happiest SOB on your block. And...while the 17" coil is great it ain't for everything,especially not all day. If you're not getting the stock coil,get that too,it's a perfect fit for a lot of sites and can be swung all day.
Good luck out there!

Got it today and the seller neglected to mention that one of the battery clamps was broken off and the battery won't stay attached. Its going right back. Learned my lesson and I will probably buy a new one.

 

[Mach1Pilot]

Sorry to hear you got a bad machine, I hope you can get that resolved quickly.

To answer your original question about upgrades, they consist of two parts:
- a battery and seal. These you can change yourself if you order the parts.
- a revised arm cuff lock. This one requires a change in the main body of the detector due to the addition of some notches in the arm cuff adjustment area, and can only be done at the factory service center.

Note that neither effect the electronics and an older machine has the same firmware as the newer ones.

Hope that helps.

 

[penzfan]

Call Tony S. @ Fort Bedford Detectors. He'll give you a GREAT deal on a new CTX...

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

It is a simple fix on the clamps and it is covered under warranty if you want to send it to the Minelab repair center at kellyco...

 

[dcbaros]

It is a simple fix on the clamps and it is covered under warranty if you want to send it to the Minelab repair center at kellyco...

Its mostly the principle of it. They advertised it as like new. Im not going to worry about getting it to a repair center and then waiting on it for days when I could spend a small bit more and get a new one. Im not even sure its under warranty, they could have been lying about the age as well and I haven't checked the S/N.

 

[IDXMonster]

Its mostly the principle of it. They advertised it as like new. Im not going to worry about getting it to a repair center and then waiting on it for days when I could spend a small bit more and get a new one. Im not even sure its under warranty, they could have been lying about the age as well and I haven't checked the S/N.

It is the principle,I agree completely. It's not like they didn't know,unless it got stolen in shipping! At this stage I'll also agree it's wise to go new,for nothing more than peace of mind....and as long as the bank account allows,which it sounds like it will. While this deal may have been a disappointment I can all but guarantee that your experience with the CTX won't be. Keep us posted....