Using CTX 3030 Underwater--Any Precautions You Can Share?

[califteacher]

This may sound silly, but I am a bit nervous about using my CTX 3030 completely underwater at the beach. As the weather gets warmer, I would like to use my CTX 3030 in the surf, as deep as I can manage--chest to shoulder high (I am 6'5"). I was wondering if any of those who have used the CTX completely underwater have any thoughts or suggestions. I am trying to imagine the damage that would be done to this expensive detector if water got in the wrong place. In another thread, someone mentioned buying silicone grease for the plastic seal of their battery compartment (on another model detector), but it seems like anything of this sort would end up attracting dry sand later and eventually doing more harm than good. I would like the benefit of your colllected knowledge before I do something dumb. By the way, I do have the Gray Ghost waterproof Headphones designed for the CTX 3030, so that is covered. Thank you for your feedback.

 

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[Fletch88]

Yeah, I noticed the only sealing is done in the cap and not in the threads. If you ask me it's poorly designed. I'm scared to turn down the cap too hard as it could twist the port and possibly do damage inside. It does need to be tight though and a very thin coat of silicone may do the trick. I would like to do something to seal it up properly though. If I wasn't concerned with the warranty, I would stick a in cord in there and permanently seal it with a cord in the plug and then make my own sealed cap on the other end. Since it's still under warranty, I won't be doing that. I'm leery to submerge it again to be honest. If I go during low tide I can go out about 100-200 yards without submerging the control unit. That is far enough to dig around. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cory, I only tighten mine 2 finger tight with a very small among of lube on washer and have had mine 1-2 feet underwater without any leakage. I wouldn't crank down on it to hard.

 

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[MBbeachrat]

After your finished open up the battery compartment and check for leaks each time. Also leave battery off so all dries out.

 

[upfishcreek]

Didn't even think the battery pack would be safer to use than the rechargeable pack. I've used mine underwater for a few hours in freshwater. No problems.

 

[Bejamble]

So after everything dried out and was working good for a few days, I tried again in the ocean after contacting ML support. Control unit was underwater for 5-10 minutes max. Same thin happened again. USB connected was showing the next morning. I don't have any problems while in the water or for several hours after removing it from the beach. It's the next morning I am getting the error. This kills my next day for searching until the unit dries out.


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[Bejamble]

Was able to get it to come back on normally by drying the USB plug out with a hair dryer set to no heat.


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[Jackalope]

I'd think some Teflon tape on the threads, silicone grease on the cap and threads, then wrap a few turns of waterproof silicone tape around the cap and base to keep out water and dirt - would be about all anyone can do to protect the USB port. Not a great design.

 

[wadias]

14:30 Russians were tested it up to 6 meters in preswater. Not recommended to repeat with your gear. So 3 meters will cower easy. I guess I can easily modify it up to 10 meters, but the warranty will be lost right away...

 

[lookindown]

There is nothing worse to me than worrying all the time that something is going to fail. Peace of mind means a lot to me.