Truth is what I want to hear.
Another question is how are the ergonomics of the ctx vs the equinox? I realize the ctx is heavier, but the grip on the equinox torques my shoulder and back for some reason
PAslawslayer -- as Rattlehead alluded to in his prior post, the issue with the Equinox is BALANCE. You are saying the "grip" on the Equinox "torques your shoulder." I would respectfully argue that it is not the GRIP, it is the nose-heaviness of the Equinox that is the ergonomic issue. The reason you feel it at the "grip," is that the handle/grip is the FULCRUM of the machine, and the Equinox (and other similar machines, to varying degrees) is the equivalent of a see-saw/teeter-totter with only one person, sitting on one side. Without any compensating weight at the butt end of the machine (the CTX does have the heavy battery at the butt end which acts as a "counterweight" to partially balance the machine as Rattlehead noted), the Equinox ends up being an uncomfortable machine to swing for long hours, for many users.
The point is, that discomfort you feel,
focused at the grip/handle, is not the fault of the grip/handle
itself, it is the fact that when swinging an imbalanced, nose-heavy machine like the Equinox, your hand/wrist is having to do all the work, to keep the coil lifted off the ground as you swing. And that force you are having to exert with your wrist, results in fatigue over time, and for some -- pain. That fatigue/pain then translates from your wrist to your forearm (as you squeeze the grip/handle trying to keep the coil floating), and for many it results in fatigue pain
all the way up through the elbow, and to the shoulder -- and even into your back muscles.
THIS is why I offer the optional counterweight system, with my carbon-fiber Equinox shafts. Counterweighting is a solution to the ergonomic issues with your Equinox, and I (Steve's Detector Rods) am happy to help you out with that, if you are interested.
Just send me a PM or email (
[email protected]) and we can chat some more about it.
Thanks!
Steve