Battery life and headphones???

[HungryGhost]

I was wondering if the charge would last longer on my detector if I used wired headphones instead of wireless headphones. I want to upgrade the ML-85 wireless headphones that came with the Equinox 900. They’re not comfortable and the sound isn’t that great. If using wired headphones would give me longer life on the detectors charge I might just go that route.

 

[too_pointer]

I have heard about the battery life also, but don't know for sure ?
too_

 

[sube]

I would say you would get less time on the battery from your detector because now your driving the audio for the head phones compared to just transmitting a signal . The audio takes power the transmitting signal should take very little it takes power to drive the headphones that's why there's a battery in the headphones . sube

 

[hoser]

I do agree with sube. You could be lowering your detecting time by drawing extra power from the control unit rather than the internal batteries in the phones. Sounds like a good experiment to see the difference in time between using wired and not using wired. IMHO, if the time difference is an hour or less, I would go with the more comfortable and better sounding option.

 

[Mikey48]

IMO not an expert at all, but it seems like the wired headphones would give the best battery life. The wireless transmitter must use some power, not sure how significant it is. There's a significant difference between detector speaker power usage and wired headphones.

 

[TorqueMaster]

Great question with some good answers.
Everyone should know running wired headphones should save considerable power versus the built-in speaker.

But wired headphones vs Bluetooth... a quick google...
Wired headphones should consume less than 1mW to give ample volume. ( example sensitivity of 100dB SPL / mW)
Bluetooth transmits with variable power -- from 0.01mW to 100mW -- depends on range, I would imagine, the power adjusts to keep data flowing without errors. Since we use the headphones pretty close to the transmitter, I bet it's in the middle magnitude...somewhere like ... 1mW.

Both are, relatively speaking, drawing peanuts vs. the rest of the machine. Bluetooth wireless *could* suck down a lot more power if there's signal blockage or interference, so the *safest* answer is to run wired. In reality -- run what you want, probably won't matter most of the time. Bluetooth draw may be location dependent. Any anecdotal experiences would be interesting to hear.

 

[HungryGhost]

Great question with some good answers.
Everyone should know running wired headphones should save considerable power versus the built-in speaker.

But wired headphones vs Bluetooth... a quick google...
Wired headphones should consume less than 1mW to give ample volume. ( example sensitivity of 100dB SPL / mW)
Bluetooth transmits with variable power -- from 0.01mW to 100mW -- depends on range, I would imagine, the power adjusts to keep data flowing without errors. Since we use the headphones pretty close to the transmitter, I bet it's in the middle magnitude...somewhere like ... 1mW.

Both are, relatively speaking, drawing peanuts vs. the rest of the machine. Bluetooth wireless *could* suck down a lot more power if there's signal blockage or interference, so the *safest* answer is to run wired. In reality -- run what you want, probably won't matter most of the time. Bluetooth draw may be location dependent. Any anecdotal experiences would be interesting to hear.

Thanks for the great information

 

[markinswpa]

I was wondering if the charge would last longer on my detector if I used wired headphones instead of wireless headphones. I want to upgrade the ML-85 wireless headphones that came with the Equinox 900. They’re not comfortable and the sound isn’t that great. If using wired headphones would give me longer life on the detectors charge I might just go that route.

I would not worry too much about battery life, Both the 800 and 900 have really good run times on a full charge. Unless you are planning on packing in to the back country, and even then you can attach a portable power bank and take a portable solar charger with you. I have been using the 900 for a year now, during the summer months I did some 8 -9 hours hunts with a transmitter/ earbuds or bone conductors, had backlite on most of the time and never went below half charge. I agree with you, the ML85s are not the best. They do pinch and if you had used the ML80s you wouldn't think the audio is all that bad. Before making a decision I would wait to see what Minelab wants for the WMO9 module. If go that route you can plug in any headphones you choose to the module and not be tethered to the machine. JMO. Mark

 

[HungryGhost]

I would not worry too much about battery life, Both the 800 and 900 have really good run times on a full charge. Unless you are planning on packing in to the back country, and even then you can attach a portable power bank and take a portable solar charger with you. I have been using the 900 for a year now, during the summer months I did some 8 -9 hours hunts with a transmitter/ earbuds or bone conductors, had backlite on most of the time and never went below half charge. I agree with you, the ML85s are not the best. They do pinch and if you had used the ML80s you wouldn't think the audio is all that bad. Before making a decision I would wait to see what Minelab wants for the WMO9 module. If go that route you can plug in any headphones you choose to the module and not be tethered to the machine. JMO. Mark

Minelab WM09 Wireless module

The new WM 09 now allows your choice of wired headphones to be connected wirelessly to any of the MANTICORE, EQUINOX 700|900, or X-TERRA PRO metal detectors. FREE SHIPPING - NO TAX!

bigboyshobbies.net

Looks like the WM09 is $230

 

[markinswpa]

Minelab WM09 Wireless module

The new WM 09 now allows your choice of wired headphones to be connected wirelessly to any of the MANTICORE, EQUINOX 700|900, or X-TERRA PRO metal detectors. FREE SHIPPING - NO TAX!

bigboyshobbies.net

Looks like the WM09 is $230

Yeah, thats pretty steep. I would go with a transmitter before spending that much. Quite honestly my assessment of the 900 has changed in the past year since I posted that review and I would not consider investing another 200 + dollars in the 900. Now if you're thinking of upgrading to the Manticore, then maybe. But IMO the 900 and Manticore may be different dogs but they have the same fleas. JMO.

 

[sube]

And the x-terra pro is only $254 wow . So for corded headphones adaptor only $230 . sube

 

[Martin_V3i]

I would not worry too much about battery life, Both the 800 and 900 have really good run times on a full charge. Unless you are planning on packing in to the back country, and even then you can attach a portable power bank and take a portable solar charger with you. I have been using the 900 for a year now, during the summer months I did some 8 -9 hours hunts with a transmitter/ earbuds or bone conductors, had backlite on most of the time and never went below half charge. I agree with you, the ML85s are not the best. They do pinch and if you had used the ML80s you wouldn't think the audio is all that bad. Before making a decision I would wait to see what Minelab wants for the WMO9 module. If go that route you can plug in any headphones you choose to the module and not be tethered to the machine. JMO. Mark

I never liked the WM-08 because of being tethered and hence, I used the WM-08 only one outing. I can't even find that adapter anymore. Wireless all the way, or no HPs at all but that feels very odd in a real hunt.