6" Coil Comparisons

[madforclad]

Looking at getting a 6" DD coil for my 705 and had a question on the Minelab 6" DD vs. the CoilTek Digger 6" coil. So the Minelab coil is 18.75 kHz and the CoilTek Digger is 3 kHz. One would assume then that the Minelab coil would be better for gold and the CoilTek better for silver. Other than that how do they stack up against each other performance wise?

Thanks

 

[BillF]

I'm probably going to get lambasted for this but, in my opinion, if you put the coil over it, its going to pick it up. 3khz or 18.75khz. One may be better in certain soil conditions, but I truly believe that it will be picked up by either.
That's just my opinion but it comes from years of detecting with many different detectors.

 

[Old Longhair]

That's pretty much it Bill. The 3kHz may get better depth in mild conditions, because low frequencies do penetrate the ground better, and the Coiltek coils is hotter, but the biggest difference is the response.

 

[detectingMO]

in my mild soil they had the same depth on coins but the hf one was tighter id and response. my second favorite coil behind 10.5mf

 

[BillF]

Madforclad, I will tell you that if you get the chance to pick up a Digger coil for a good price, do it, you won't be sorry.

 

[Venner]

I haven't had any experience with the 6" HF coil (just the 5x10 HF), but I own the 6" Digger. I wouldn't count on any extra depth, but I love the difference in response. You really know when you're on a copper/silver target and when you're over iron. If you mainly hunt by ear, and glance at the VDI just as a suggested reference, then I could heartily recommend the LF coil.

 

[Digger 45]

I'm also looking at the two coils, my problem is hot ground, i can't use the 7.5 at all just too much bouncing of numbers, i use the 10x5 18.75 coil and it works great so i'm thinking the ML 6" coil would be best for my ground. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[mapper65]

if you put the coil over it, its going to pick it up. 3khz or 18.75khz. One may be better in certain soil conditions, but I truly believe that it will be picked up by either.
That's just my opinion but it comes from years of detecting with many different detectors.

I agree with Bill but I will say that the Coiltek does do better with silver but I also found a nice big gold ring with it earlier this summer. I have the Coiltek and the Minelab 18.75 and I also had the Minelab MF coil for a few years. I sold the MF coil.

Having used all of them extensively, if I had it to do over again, I would only own the Coiltek especially now that the newer release is waterproof. Back when I bought my Coiltek they weren't so I still get occasional use out of the Minelab HF but it's very rare that I use it.

 

[Venner]

I'm also looking at the two coils, my problem is hot ground, i can't use the 7.5 at all just too much bouncing of numbers, i use the 10x5 18.75 coil and it works great so i'm thinking the ML 6" coil would be best for my ground. Has anyone else had this problem?

The soil around here typically ground balances between 5 and 30, with only a couple of places I have found flirting with 40*. I've had great luck with the Digger -- but I think any DD coil (HF, MF, LF) would work better than the 7.5kHz concentric coil in mineralized soil, if that helps.

*The 705 ground balance scale runs 0 to 90, with 0 being incredibly hot.

 

[madforclad]

Thanks guys. I ordered the CoilTek Digger and should have it by weeks end.

 

[BillF]

You're really going to have to slow down and shorten up your overlaps with that Digger. You'll find out soon enough.
I sure do like the way it picks out the coins and goodies though.
Best of luck!

 

[madforclad]

Hey guys my 6" CoilTek Digger coil arrived yesterday so I will be putting it to the test this weekend. Will report back on my assessment.