Phantom backpack

I have been searching on the net for a backpack that is suitable for detecting and have not been satisfied with what I have seen so far. I have a harness that came with the detector but it does not provide any facilities for additional items or any place for my little lunch, let alone my big lunch.

Ideally I would like a pack that can hold a water bladder and be big enough for a small first aid kit, maybe a jumper and of course the aforementioned victuals. The shoulder straps should either have or be capable of adding D rings and it would also be nice to have a hip belt that can carry a pick, hip stick and even the battery.

Does anybody know whether a pack like this exists?

pete has this one modified for detecting.

http://goldcitydetecting.com/Packs.php

Thanks trick 1,
Yes, I have seen that one. It appears that I may have to settle for a pack without a hip belt and just use a separate belt, although I would prefer it to be integrated.

I have been using a harness and small pack made by this company for years.
The harness in completely adjustable and well padded and strong.
The different modular packs have lots of combinations and are all well thought out imho.
I have no connection with the company but they are very helpful if you have questions.
It is a small family company and they stand by their work.

http://www.nimrodpacks.com/hunting-gear.html

Thanks for pointing them out. Interesting range they have.

We use the original ML pack with an added 1.5 litre hydration bag, dual speakers and pick holder, picks now have magnets araldited in handle.
Loops are attached to "D" shackles and the bungie supports machine from centre of chest. The bungie is adjusted so the coil just hovers above ground while not being held. Just have to steer the coil, far less fatigue, so can swing effortlessly all day even when swinging the 20".

Thanks Nightjar. I've almost resigned myself to doing something similar to what you've done. It's interesting how you carry your pick differently to the traditional off-the-belt. Wouldn't that get in the way and place extra weight on your shoulder rather than your hip?

Thanks for posting the photos, they're a tremendous help.

Ringpull wrote:Thanks Nightjar. I've almost resigned myself to doing something similar to what you've done. It's interesting how you carry your pick differently to the traditional off-the-belt. Wouldn't that get in the way and place extra weight on your shoulder rather than your hip?

Thanks for posting the photos, they're a tremendous help.

The pick on the chest goes back to the SD2100 + 18" Mono. While mounted on the hip every time I swung to the left the machine would groan. Testing proved the coil was targeting the coil. Will never go back to carrying pick on the belt, also when mounted on the hip you had to remove it every time you crouched down.
If the machine is balanced correctly, ie: the bungie fix point on the stem is positioned so if you lift the machine by the bungie the coil hangs down just above the ground. Connect the bungie to the two loops and adjust it so all the weight is on the bungie.
The weight of the pick on chest does not cause any problem, you can crouch down then remove pick if you need to dig.
Suppose it comes down to personal choice however it is very difficult to convince me the ML machines won't sense a large iron target at waist level.
Dig a hole a metre deep and throw your pick in there and then wave your coil over it???

Cheers
Peter

Great explanation Peter. I understand about the shock cord and will experiment. At the moment I have it only hooked on the right D ring. My first reaction with the pick mounted on the harness is that at the end of the day you might end up with a squeaky voice and a tear in your eye.

And I'll pass on your suggestion of digging a hole to bury the pick and take your word for it.

Cheers
Zol

Nightjar wrote:We use the original ML pack with an added 1.5 litre hydration bag, dual speakers and pick holder, picks now have magnets araldited in handle.
Loops are attached to "D" shackles and the bungie supports machine from centre of chest. The bungie is adjusted so the coil just hovers above ground while not being held. Just have to steer the coil, far less fatigue, so can swing effortlessly all day even when swinging the 20".

what did you use for the 2 loops for the bungie cord,i will try that idea myself.
cheers...reg

Hi Reg,
Used two boot laces, any cord will do.

Cheers
Peter

Nightjar wrote:Hi Reg,
Used two boot laces, any cord will do.

Cheers
Peter

thanks peter your a champ

cheers

I have played around with others over the years trying to make the ideal detector pack....I now use, and would never go back to anything else..as its already set up....Camelbak ...Military strength...already has the bladder with mouthpiece exactly where you need it when detecting..comes with two packs,large enough for snake bite kit, snacks, etc etc...and my SOG Navy Seal Pup fixed blade attached correctly on the side... has two side pouches either side one for GPS Triton 1500 and the other for my mobile....front hooks for bungy and dual exterior phones are military strength...side hook for plastic scoop..and all I have had to add is third small pouch on back of the first two for the battery which has two small holes <corterized> either side for power chord and phones/speakers..all attachments are by military attachment.....because its the Real McCoy of backpacks even though all this is tad heavier to put on it sits perfectly padded into your back and everything is balanced included front padded straps...suits a GPX5000 set up perfectly..no aches at the end of the day....can take it off and put down and everything is self contained..even headphones will sit neatly on top.....everything will expand or contract to suit a superwimp body through to my XXXL he- man body....no I dont sell them..I bought mine at the right price on Fleabay......
With this set up I am confidant to go anywhere,GPS,Compass,Bushnell Backtracker, ample space for first aid, stingose,insect repellant,lip balm,emergencyfoil blanket....spare giggle hat with net,waterproof matches, small wind up torch,head torch,fresh water which miraculously remains real cold all day..guess its the Military padded design...
If you laugh at all the gear I carry as standard....I got caught in unfamiliar area in Triangle once, forgot about daylight saving time change the night before..so lost vital hour of daylight....was only going a little way from my car wasn't I?.....over two hills into three gully's turned around umpteen dozen times.....merrily digging targets....looked up... surrounded by Roos, darkness about to hit... shatt!..and I had not carried a single item with me that could help me...never even had my water....sound familiar to any other prospector??.....started to fall my way through semi darkness through and around mine shafts and diggings....through the iron bark and spider webs..amazing how those little critters build their webs so fast at night or do we just avoid them better during daylight...?....found a small brackish billabong so had water if I got desperate enough <I could at least go swimming with the brown/black snakes> and settled for the night..it was humid night so had one win...at least until I realized Mossies luvvvv the humidity..kept reminding myself its only the females that bite...Bullshat..they all bite you in that situation!....was that a big brown I heard move over there..if only I had my wind up torch?..or head torch..never again not ever...NO phone coverage whatsoever .<Thanks Telstra for absolutely nothing pathetic joke of a carrier you are....was going to ring my wife and tell her I love her...I dont even do that in normal situations!>.>...didnt even have tissues when you nearly crap yourself in the darkness..<how did those Old Timers survive?>.....come on..man-up I thought..!........I usually know the areas I detect but this was one of those times you decide to go to another area in lateish afternoon for a ""quick"" detect.....I even cursed MInelab for not including a fixed light of some sort on my GPX....the most useless item I carried in that situation was my GPX......followed closely by a little nugget that didnt look a bit appetising...<at least I had my pick to dig my grave I thought!>.......ever tried turning on your Detector backlight to make it back to your vehicle?....try it sometime....in deep hole country..on the darkest night you have ever experienced.....LOL..Hoo Roo
P.S. Why doesnt someone wire up a 5 pin small light you could tighten onto your GPX battery in case of emergency...small light,small cord you could hand hold....weigh nothing....even carry it in your underpants if your desperate enough..heaven knows I was..!..LOL....

40 bucks us on ebay,lightweight,breathable,d-rings,load carry capable,best of all,easily attatches to belt/pants/shorts,not around my neck while digging.lotsa pockets.detatchable sidearm holster/beer holder.I never use a device to carry my digger,just slide my apex pick handle down my back,having routed my external speaker lead accordingly. looks a bit commando-ish,but hey,dont we all.trying to load pics,bit different here.been reading and enjoying your great site 2 years and more,tx too much,been swinging my 4500 california gold country 3 yrs or so,lots my learning been done here this great site,tx from p-63[img][/img]

FYI: I'm using my old SADF M83 Chest rig, Link here: Same as this one

I will be posting all my on-person kit with the above rig soon

I do not own any Minelab stuff only a Gold Bug Pro DP. This rig is tough but can be customised with a little imagination

You can add bladder to it and still carry 2x 2L SADF water Bottles (this is what I carry).

I like Nightjar's but carrying that chair around on your back must be a bugga

What F....n Chair, I have been following this thread & like Nightjars multipurpose set up & thought I dont remember any chair, Had to go back to the pics to see if i missed it. You got me !
P.S. just purchased Oz-trail Goanna Hydrapak to do the same as on Nightjars backpak, Thanks Nightjar for posting your ideas.
Cheers
Ashley

larry303 wrote:I have played around with others over the years trying to make the ideal detector pack....I now use, and would never go back to anything else..as its already set up....Camelbak ...Military strength...already has the bladder with mouthpiece exactly where you need it when detecting..comes with two packs,large enough for snake bite kit, snacks, etc etc...and my SOG Navy Seal Pup fixed blade attached correctly on the side... has two side pouches either side one for GPS Triton 1500 and the other for my mobile....front hooks for bungy and dual exterior phones are military strength...side hook for plastic scoop..and all I have had to add is third small pouch on back of the first two for the battery which has two small holes <corterized> either side for power chord and phones/speakers..all attachments are by military attachment.....because its the Real McCoy of backpacks even though all this is tad heavier to put on it sits perfectly padded into your back and everything is balanced included front padded straps...suits a GPX5000 set up perfectly..no aches at the end of the day....can take it off and put down and everything is self contained..even headphones will sit neatly on top.....everything will expand or contract to suit a superwimp body through to my XXXL he- man body....no I dont sell them..I bought mine at the right price on Fleabay......
With this set up I am confidant to go anywhere,GPS,Compass,Bushnell Backtracker, ample space for first aid, stingose,insect repellant,lip balm,emergencyfoil blanket....spare giggle hat with net,waterproof matches, small wind up torch,head torch,fresh water which miraculously remains real cold all day..guess its the Military padded design...
If you laugh at all the gear I carry as standard....I got caught in unfamiliar area in Triangle once, forgot about daylight saving time change the night before..so lost vital hour of daylight....was only going a little way from my car wasn't I?.....over two hills into three gully's turned around umpteen dozen times.....merrily digging targets....looked up... surrounded by Roos, darkness about to hit... shatt!..and I had not carried a single item with me that could help me...never even had my water....sound familiar to any other prospector??.....started to fall my way through semi darkness through and around mine shafts and diggings....through the iron bark and spider webs..amazing how those little critters build their webs so fast at night or do we just avoid them better during daylight...?....found a small brackish billabong so had water if I got desperate enough <I could at least go swimming with the brown/black snakes> and settled for the night..it was humid night so had one win...at least until I realized Mossies luvvvv the humidity..kept reminding myself its only the females that bite...Bullshat..they all bite you in that situation!....was that a big brown I heard move over there..if only I had my wind up torch?..or head torch..never again not ever...NO phone coverage whatsoever .<Thanks Telstra for absolutely nothing pathetic joke of a carrier you are....was going to ring my wife and tell her I love her...I dont even do that in normal situations!>.>...didnt even have tissues when you nearly crap yourself in the darkness..<how did those Old Timers survive?>.....come on..man-up I thought..!........I usually know the areas I detect but this was one of those times you decide to go to another area in lateish afternoon for a ""quick"" detect.....I even cursed MInelab for not including a fixed light of some sort on my GPX....the most useless item I carried in that situation was my GPX......followed closely by a little nugget that didnt look a bit appetising...<at least I had my pick to dig my grave I thought!>.......ever tried turning on your Detector backlight to make it back to your vehicle?....try it sometime....in deep hole country..on the darkest night you have ever experienced.....LOL..Hoo Roo
P.S. Why doesnt someone wire up a 5 pin small light you could tighten onto your GPX battery in case of emergency...small light,small cord you could hand hold....weigh nothing....even carry it in your underpants if your desperate enough..heaven knows I was..!..LOL....

gday larry
it sounds like i have the same setup as you. now the camelback has got everything,padded shoulder straps,d rings,pockets for all your gear and very comfy not cheap but well worth the money. all i got to do now is somehow fit a battery pouch to it the. .

cheers...reg

Gcause,
Carrying the chair around comes in handy when you find a shady tree to rest under.

Peter

Have you tried a local Disposal Store that sells surplus Army backpacks, thats where I got mine, not only a heap of pockets but has numerous external straps for putting extra items on.
Nice and strong as well.

I use an el-cheapo Denali hydrapack. I think it cost $40 from Anaconda. The battery goes in the middle compartment and the zip closes on the right hand side where the detector cord goes out. On the LHS I made a small hole for the headphone cord. A soldering iron melts a neat hole in the nylon that doesn't fray. Bungee attaches to a ring on the RHS shoulder strap. I carry a 3L water bladder, first aid kit, snacks, spare AA bateries for the GPS, pick, scoop and have an attachment point for towing a chain.