A question about the 99 tones.

[Mick in Dubbo]

I was wondering if someone could tell me, if the 99 tones were any good for a more refined way of discriminating, ie. when used to double check when hunting in the standard manner?
I assume that Minelab included this feature for a reason. It seems that we have be slow to pick up on it.
Hope I don't sound like a nag as there was no response the other day when I asked.
Mick Evans.

 

[Digger]

Mick, I have used the multi-tone mode quite a bit. And, it does a good job of tracking the (assigned TID) target with an associated tone. However, I honestly can't hear more than a dozen and a half, or so. Maybe it is my hearing? I really don't know. If I am hunting a site with little modern trash, I prefer the four tone mode. Coin hunting in all metal, I simply ignore the low tones. But in areas with modern trash, I like the multi-tone mode as it allows me to separate adjacent targets (with different TIDs) by the different associated audio responses. The 99 tone mode reminds me of hunting with an Explorer. Only much faster to reset between targets. HH Randy

 

[BarnacleBill]

I think the 99's were included to make it easier for multi-freq ML owners to transition to the X70. So if you had an SE and were looking for a machine to complement it for better small gold ability, then ML has a product in their line for you to easily migrate to. For a two machine arsenal, an SE & X70 would not be anything to sneeze at.

Myself I think I tried it once or twice, just not my cup of tea. I stick to four tones for the most part, maybe used to it from using Fishers. But the select-ability is a nice feature, which means you'll probably get a variety of opinions because the different sets are available.

HH
BarnacleBill

 

[NH Bob]

Tried it and didn't like it, I like the four tones. I know what I'm looking for from each tone. I do the minelab wiggle to verify whether I want to dig or not. With the XT70 on old ground I will dig a 30 before a 34 and a 42 much quicker than a 46. A 12 is an automatic dig but 14 - 18 are maybe digs.
Its all in the tone and how it sounds. Then the digital which is shaky at times. That little wiggle can tell you a lot.
These are things I've noticed in the areas that I hunt and just my opinion. No doubt you may experience something different.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Thanks for the replies.
Regardless of the number of different tones you can hear, it sounds like a useful feature to have.
I have quite a fetish for hunting $1 and $2 coins, which show up as 28 or 32 on the X-t30. I think that they both show up as a 30 on the X-t70. I was kinda hoping that you could hear more than one tone on each number; which could be really good at knocking out at least some of the screw caps.
Bob. Could you refresh me on the "wiggle". I've heard of it, but never used it. Are you trying to see if will lock onto a particular number, or break up and bounce around a bit?
Mick Evans.

 

[NH Bob]

Get the center of the DD over the signal and give it a short but rapid wiggle over the preferred target and watch the screen and one # will be dominant. Also if its big iron that can fool you sometimes. You can walk the sweet sound around the perimeter of the iron. Quickly eliminating a coin.
Hope this wasn't too confusing.

 

[B.T]

I gotta agree. The 99 tones is something which I never use as I dont like it either.
I reckon after just 1 day of 99 toning they would be getting ready to lock me up.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Thanks. sounds like it only applies to DD coils.
Mick Evans.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Bob. What numbers do the 3rd and the 4th tones come in at? I never used a 70.

 

[Digger]

n/t

 

[NH Bob]

n/t

 

[NH Bob]

26-48 which in my area takes in a wide assortment of buttons, Tokens, Indian heads on up to silver dollars and hotrocks.
I still have a problem with the Beer/Soda caps when they reach a certain corrosive stage. They come in at 42 here which is quarters and large coppers. So, I have to dig them like it or not.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Thanks. That third tone is close to a very ideal spot for here in Oz It puts our $1 and $2 coins clear of the worst of the junk signals, unlike the 30 which with it's 3 tones, has the third tone popping up between them. I don't mind digging the lower conductive coins, it just means that you can ignore them without looking at the meter if you choose to.
Mick Evans.

 

[Monte]

28 tones. One for each notch segment. Personally, while it can work OK for some applications, just like the more true multi-tone audio on the White's XLT, I prefer the 2-tone audio response for most hunting.

If I am out for a day of popping 25

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

28 tones would be great for night hunting, and for generally hunting without feeling an urge to look at the LCD. I tend to be a clad hunter mostly, although I will branch out into old coin hunting down the track.
I wonder why Minelab advertise it as 99 tones if it's not. I thought that you might have had 3 tones for every notch; which may have helped sort out some targets. Thanks for the input Monty.
Mick Evans.