First impressions Radio Shack 3300

[montyburns]

I just replaced my second set of batteries. They were new Rayovac alkalines and only lasted six hours before they were down to one bar. The 3300 seems to eat up batteries really quick for some reason? A set of 4 AAs will go about twice that long in my ACE 250 for a commparison. I was using head phones too so I expected them to last longer.
Speaking of headphones, I went to Radio Shack and tried out a set of wireless headphones since the ones I have now have a cord that always seems to be in the way. I couldn't get enough volume out of the set they had on hand, but I didn't charge them for 12 hours as recommended on the box. That may have made the difference, but I am not willing to bet $59.00 it will make a difference....especially on a hundred dollar detector. Monty

[Merf]

Monty,
I think you might have a defective 3300. Maybe a short in the circuitry. I have been useing Ray O Vac alkalines in my BH 3300 since I got it. I have gone through six sets of batteries and got between 15 and 20 hours of use out of each set. If I were you I would take it back to Radio Shack and have them replace it.
One other thing I noticed is that when it gets down to one bar on the battery indicator it still operates normally for about two more hours.
HH, Merf

[TonyinCT]

I think you have the exception Merf. Everyone else I know that has or has used a 3300 with myself included on three of them ; you're lucky if you get 6 to 7 hours use .

[TheDiggerOne]

Originally Posted by TonyinCT

I think you have the exception Merf. Everyone else I know that has or has used a 3300 with myself included on three of them ; you're lucky if you get 6 to 7 hours use .

I used my 3300 for 4 hours on energizer batteries. With only one bar going down on the meter.

[diggummup]

Originally Posted by TheDiggerOne

Were did you find your coils? Cause I wanted to buy a few some day. So far the big one seems to work though.

I don't know where your at but Outdoor World is where i got my small one.

[rustic145]

energizer batteries they are the way to go with 3300

[l38ranger]

I have had my 3300 for about 1/2 year or so, and have not had to much trouble from it. setting for the ground noise wasn't to hard to do, from what i can figure, and once set i just go for it.....

Also radio shack has an exellent pair of headphone's for the 3300 or any other, they are about $20.00 bucks and they have a volume control on each side of the headphone....they work great!!! and they will prolong the battery life also.

[diggummup]

The main thing I don't like about the 3300 is,I have to reduce sensitivity all the way down to use it in the wet sand and it still gives off false signals (erratic beeping) as you sweep,usually at the end of a sweep,before changing direction. At first I thought it was the batteries.It wasn't.Dry sand it works okay for the most part.

[diggummup]

Hi Pete.Yes I am.It won't manually ground balance there either.I just learned to distinguish between the good tones and the false tones.It does okay in the wet sand if I reduce the sensitivity all the way down,just can't wade in the water with it hardly,it really acts up there. Any advice?

[montyburns]

I'm not Pete but I started this thread, so....I have never used mine near salt water, but I am not satisfied that I have ever got this thing to ground balance. No matter how many times I have read the manual, I can never seem to get it to behave as described in the manual. So, I just set it to the default position and get on with it. Seems to work ok most of the time. MontyB