Minelab CTX 3030 Detecting Forum

Made it to the beach for a short spin after replacing the coil. Although conditions were bleak it performed like my old explorer. I tried many settings and hands down auto+2 or 3 worked great. I had the sensitivity on the front screen and it was running 28 or 29/19-21. When I tried manual anywhere near these settings and it was erratic. So long story short this machine is different and auto on the beach is the way to go. More feedback later when I am not on my phone.

Jerry Awsome man glad it worked out for you was getting a little worried about your CTX not working well at VA beach. That is good news for sure.

Jason

Then why would minelab say AUTO isn't suppose to be used on the beach?
I see people saying to use AUTO but Minelab says not to.

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CTX 3030

I found Minelab's statement odd also. But after using the 3030 for 3 plus months I have found that auto is NOT out of place on my beaches. I had spoke with a Minelab tech who said that auto may not be able to keep up with changing conditions. Key word is "may". Now remember that Minelab puts these detectors in boxes and sells these to who ever can afford them. These may not be hunters that know how to detector properly! Each and every machine made has a proper way to use it.Then we get to tweak it for our needs. Instructions are written to get you going in the right direction.
Your own knowledge of how to hunt comes from you.All this aside no machine will work if not properly used!
Minelabs above all other detectors made need to have a hunter with a good back ground in coil control,period! I have found that the 3030 like other Minelabs needs to be worked slowly with good level slow sweeps. This come from many hours spent testing different speeds with different settings.This is not a machine that you can run about the beach with in hopes you will come across gold. If hunted in the proper locations on the beach with proper techniques and settings and the willingness to hunt thoroughly the machine can be outstanding!
BCNJ

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CTX 3030
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Glad your getting it!

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What Minelab said was that on beaches with absolutely no mineral content the ground balance will not have anything to balance into, so do not use it. In fact, from the manual: "Ground Balance should not be enabled in most detecting conditions where ground mineralization is mild. This includes most beaches, parks and sports grounds." On page 22 it reiterates not to ground balance on a beach, but I believe this means a clean white coral or shell based beach.

If you have any black sand or mineral content ground balance may in fact be good on a beach. Like everything detecting, it all depends on ground conditions.

Steve Herschbach

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Metal Detecting Since 1972 at DetectorProspector.com

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Perhaps the were on Australian beaches?