During metal detecting, you have to continuously swing the metal detector back and forth, from left to right and vice versa. The average weight of a metal detector is around 3 to 4 pounds.
As a result, your arm bears a significant load during metal detecting. This can often lead to soreness and discomfort, especially after prolonged detecting sessions.
Luckily enough, there are some things that you can use to avoid a sore arm. For example a metal detector harness. What is a metal detector harness? And what is the best metal detector support harness/sling?
A metal detector harness is designed like a vest with multiple straps. Its purpose is to distribute the weight of the metal detector away from the operator’s arm. By doing so, the harness helps prevent muscle fatigue and arm soreness during metal detecting sessions.
Some of the top-rated metal detector harnesses/slings in the market include The Detector Pro Detecting Pal, The Limbsaver Comfort-Tech Sling, The Minelab Pro-Find 45, and the Generic Detecting Harness.
After reading this article, you know exactly what kind of harness or sling you need for metal detecting. You will also know what other things you can do in order to avoid sore arms during metal detecting. Enjoy reading!
What does a metal detector harness look like?
A metal detector harness looks like a vest with many straps. These straps can be clicked together.
Some harnesses also have a belt on the bottom. In this belt, you can put your pinpointer and grass blade.
The metal detector harness is designed with adjustable straps to accommodate different hip, chest, and waist circumferences, making it suitable for users of all sizes.
In terms of aesthetics, many metal detector harnesses are available in a green military color. This choice of color ensures that the harness remains inconspicuous, allowing you to wear it without drawing unnecessary attention or feeling self-conscious about wearing a distinctive vest.
To use the metal detector harness, simply put it on and adjust the length and width using the straps provided. Once properly adjusted, you can attach your metal detector to the harness.
Adjusting the length of the metal detector can be done using the cord on the harness. The goal is to hold the coil of the metal detector as close to the ground as possible without it actually touching the ground. This positioning allows for effective and efficient metal detecting.
In what other cheap way can I prevent sore arms during metal detecting?
In addition to the metal detector harness, another popular tool to prevent sore arms during metal detecting is the metal detector sling. This sling helps distribute the weight of the metal detector and reduces strain on the arm.
If you prefer not to use any tools, you can also adopt a correct swinging technique to minimize arm fatigue. This involves using smooth and controlled swings from left to right and vice versa. Additionally, it’s beneficial to alternate between your left and right arm to distribute the workload and give each arm a break.
As mentioned above, the metal detector sling can also help to avoid muscle fatigue. A metal detector sling looks like a giant chain that you can put around your shoulder. This sling distributes the metal detector’s weight from your arm to your shoulder. This shoulder strap looks like a little bit like a shoulder strap that you use for a brushcutter.
The advantage of the metal detector sling is that it is much cheaper than the metal detector harness while it solves the same problem. Furthermore, it is more convenient to put it on and to transport it.
How do I use a metal detector sling? (step-by-step)
It looks really simple to properly use the metal detector sling. However, for many people it can actually be pretty difficult to use the sling in the correct way. Therefore, I will explain step-by-step how you have to do this.
Using a metal detector sling
- Put your arm through the opening of the sling
First, you put your arm through the opening of the sling. This means that when you are right-handed, you should put your left arm through the opening. If you are left-handed, you should put your right arm through the opening.
- Put the sling over the back of your neck.
Second, you should put the sling over the back of your neck with the starting point towards your good arm. This means that the starting point must point to your metal detector.
- Attach the sling connection to the metal detector.
Third, you should attach the connection of the sling to your metal detector. The most of the time, this last part of the sling is elastic which means that you have to attach this elastic part to the metal detector.
- Adjust the sling to the correct length.
The last thing that you have to do is to adjust the sling to the correct length. The best sling length is when the coil is as close as possible to the surface without touching it.
Metal detector harness vs metal detector sling
Many people do not know whether they should go for a metal detector harness or a metal detector sling. This is because both applications have both advantages and disadvantages. That’s why I made a summary table. This allows you to see the pros and cons at a glance.
Pros Harness
- Very comfortable
- Customizable sizes (8 adjustment points)
- Reduces weight on both the arm and shoulder
- Padded back cushion
- Keeps your torso warm during the winter
- Possibility to attach your pinpointer
Cons Harness
- Very hot during the summer
- Relatively difficult to put on
- Relatively expensive compared to the sling
- Takes effort to carry with you (when you don’t use it)
Pros Sling
- Reduces weight on the arm
- Less hot during summer
- Relatively cheap
- Takes less effort to carry with you (when you don’t use it)
- Very easy to put on
Cons Sling
- Less comfortable compared to the harness (no padded cushion)
- Distributes the weight from your arm towards your shoulder (poorly distributed)
- Less customizable than the harness
- Doesn’t really keep you warm during the winter
What are the best metal detector harnesses and slings?
There are many different types of metal detector harnesses and slings. Due to the enormous range of options, it is really difficult to choose the right one. Therefore, I will mention some good options for you!
In my opinion, The Detector Pro Detecting Pal, The Limbsaver Comfort-Tech Sling, The Minelab Pro-Find and the Generic Detecting Harness are very good harnesses and slings because these ones have all the desired features. Furthermore, the value for money is pretty good.
The Detector Pro Detecting Pal
Detector Pro Detecting Pal
- Distributes the weight of the metal detector away from your arm
- Only weighs 0.4 pounds
- Adjustable length
- Easy to put on
- Very cheap
A really good sling is the Detector Pro Detecting Pal. This sling fits to every metal detector which means that you don’t have to worry about whether it will fit or not. This sling distributes the weight of the metal detector away from your arm.
The sling has shoulder pads which means that it won’t rub against your skin. Furthermore, the sling weighs only 0.4 pounds which is very light! This is really convenient because your hardly notice that you are wearing a sling.
Last but not least, the length of the sling is adjustable to your personal length. This means that this sling is suitable for every person that want to avoid pain in its arms/shoulders.
The Limbsaver Comfort-Tech Sling
The Limbsaver Comfort-Tech Sling
- Distributes the weight of the metal detector away from your arm
- Very cheap
- Adjustable length
- Click on/off connection
- Easy to put on
This sling is very popular in the metal detecting world because it is one of the most cheapest ones on the market. Despite the cheaper price, this sling has all the features that you need; it distributes the weight away from your arms, it is really light and it is adjustable to your own length.
The main advantage of this sling is that is has an one-click on/off connection. This means that you can simply click the sling off your metal detector when you want to dig for example. Very convenient!
The Generic Detecting Harness
The Generic Detecting Harness
- Adjustable length
- 8 adjustment points and 8 attachment points
- Extended waist belt
- Very cheap
- Suitable for people with large waist circumference
A commonly used harness is the Generic Detecting Harness. This one is one of the most cheapest metal detector harnesses and therefore many people want to buy it. The average price is around the $35.
This harness is adjustable which means that everyone can use it (from small to big people). The harness has 8 adjustment points and 8 attachment points. Furthermore, the harness has an extended waist belt; this means that the harness is also suitable for people with a larger waist circumference.
The Minelab PRO-SWING 45
If you want to go for a more expensive harness, you should go for the Minelab PRO-SWING 45. This harness is relatively expensive for a reason; it is a multifunctional harness which has many cool features.
It has a proper padded back cushion, it suits every detector, it has 8 adjustment points, it has a quick release R-clip and you can adjust the length of the cord really accurately. In my opinion, this harness has a very good value for money!
Cheaper options
Of course, there are also cheaper options. For example you can make a sling/harness on your own if your are really creative. Furthermore, you should consider to purchase a brushcutter sling because these are often much cheaper than metal detector slings (but they work in the same way).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can detect without using a harness. However, when you often suffer from sore arms, I would advise you to use a harness.
The prices of the metal detector harnesses vary by brand. In general, the price of an average metal detector harness is between the $30 and $80. However, there are also very robust harnesses which are about $100.
The metal detector harness looks like a vest with many traps. This means that you also wear it just like a vest. A sling, on the other hand, looks more like a arm sling that you use when you break your arm.