Minelab Explorer Forum

I just recently acquired an Explorer II, while I love this machine, I had some questions concerning the FBS 1050 coil.

The two coils I have are pictured below...sorry about the quality on this one
(Im guessing left is a 6" coil, 1050 is right)


My question concerns the 1050 coil. With the 6" coil, I can get almost 7" on a quarter, but the 1050 seems to get the same performance as the 6" coil.
Am I crazy, or should I be getting more depth from the 1050 coil?

I am also thinking of adding either the Pro coil, or the SEF 10x12...what do you guys think?

I can tell this machine will take some getting used to.

That 1050 is one of the best coils ever produced for the explorers and don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

It is the smoothest coil I have ever used on the explorers and goes plenty deep...much deeper than 7" here in IL.

That being said...Yes either the pro coil or the SEF would be a nice upgrade for you as they both separate better and will therefore sniff out more keeper coins from the trash.

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Here's the link to my field test post containing over 60 different hunts of various coil tests...comparisons...nicer finds...etc..:
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,1055627,1055627#msg-1055627

Been swingin' the coil since 1972
Started out in 1972 with a Jetco Detector...then the late 70's with a Whites 6000....then in 1981 went to a Bounty Hunter VLF TR 840...then in the early 1980's I went to a Whites 6000 Di Pro...mid 80's I went to a Whites Eagle II SL...Late 80's/Early 90's I went to the Whites XLT...1990's I used the Fisher CZ5, CZ6, CZ7, 7aPro, and CZ70Pro...Started using Minelabs in 1999
with a brief stint on the Musketeer while also using the CZ's...then in 2002 I switched to the Minelab Explorers and currently use an Explorer 2, SE, SEPro, and E-trac with an arsenal of coils

Here's the story of my BEST FIND EVER.:
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,876944,876944#msg-876944

"Metal detecting is an escape for me and allows me to find some much needed peace and solace.
Being able to clear my head...even if only for that short while...is much more meaningful than any amount of finds that end up in my pouch" "Quote ME"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2012 08:30AM by Bryce-IL.

Should it be going that deep with air tests?

The coil on the left is Minelabs 8" coil (actually I think it measures about 7 1/2").-----Like Bryce said that FBS 1050 is one of the best coils Minelab ever made---VERY quiet running & pretty deep.----I loved that coil, used to call it my "club coil".-------Are you sure you have your Explorer set up right?---You should get plenty adequate depth with the 1050.------------Del

there might be a problem with the coil.

Remember airtests mean absolutely nothing to the explorers though.

I have airtested coils that won't go past 8" but have found 10" deep coins with that same coil in actual in field conditions.

Give the 1050 a few hunts in the field before you come to a conclusion.

---

Here's the link to my field test post containing over 60 different hunts of various coil tests...comparisons...nicer finds...etc..:
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,1055627,1055627#msg-1055627

Been swingin' the coil since 1972
Started out in 1972 with a Jetco Detector...then the late 70's with a Whites 6000....then in 1981 went to a Bounty Hunter VLF TR 840...then in the early 1980's I went to a Whites 6000 Di Pro...mid 80's I went to a Whites Eagle II SL...Late 80's/Early 90's I went to the Whites XLT...1990's I used the Fisher CZ5, CZ6, CZ7, 7aPro, and CZ70Pro...Started using Minelabs in 1999
with a brief stint on the Musketeer while also using the CZ's...then in 2002 I switched to the Minelab Explorers and currently use an Explorer 2, SE, SEPro, and E-trac with an arsenal of coils

Here's the story of my BEST FIND EVER.:
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?19,876944,876944#msg-876944

"Metal detecting is an escape for me and allows me to find some much needed peace and solace.
Being able to clear my head...even if only for that short while...is much more meaningful than any amount of finds that end up in my pouch" "Quote ME"

ok, thanks guys...Will try it out

Hello,
What the other guys said is right on. Since you sound new to the Explorer, I would suggest a couple things. Get to know the machine before adding a larger coil, for one. Next, consider the weight of the coil if you add one (it gets real old swinging a heavy coil). Finally, consider this, one time I figured out the actual depth difference between two coils. This was way back and for a Whites machine. I do not remember the exact sizes, but I think it was an 8" and a 10". The larger one was suppose to go 20% deeper. After some calculations it ended up being around 1-1/2" difference in depth. That seemed low to me at the time. I guess 20% sounds better than 1-1/2".

The 1050 should surprise you a few times with deep finds. It does depend on your ground, but 9" coins are easy to hear if they are down there. The 8" coil is no slouch either. It will hit on a 9" coin too, but not as hard. If you are looking for deep hits you have to investigate all of the tiny peeps. Depending on your settings, you will only hear a low volume tiny sound from the real deep stuff.

I would say that learning and gaining confidence in your machine will go much deeper than a large coil at this point. JMHO. If you are concerned about your machine's performance, find someone close to you that is an experienced Explorer user, then compare signals. Good Luck!

Take care and HH - BF



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/2012 04:14AM by Big Fang Coin Biter.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. I was not familiar with the airtests being inaccurate on the minelabs. I was concerned that I was getting the same distances on targets with the 8" and the 1050 via air. I do love the smaller coil...I am quite surprised at just how deep it does go.

I think I will try the 1050 in some fields I am to hunt soon. I think I have been running the sensitivity too high @ 30-31 - Not sure how that works here in middle TN.

I picked up a used one for $85 and it is indeed a very quiet and stable coil.

I just bought a lightly used Explorer II with the stock FBS 1050 Coil. I do not know the machine but here in north central Illinois I found a zinc round the size of a half dollar 14-1/2 inches down. I think once I learn this machine it will be giving me lots of digging time. The coil I have is very stable. Just need to take time and tune in the sensitivity.

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Whites 64T - - 1969-2001
Bounty Hunter 840 - - abt 1980-1982
Whites Spectrum XLT - - 2001-2002
White's 2900 Trooper - - 2007-now
Whites 6000D series 3 - - 2009-now
Minelab Explorer II - - 2012-now

And I still don't know what I am doing.........