? about ID #'s

[JoeinMemphis]

I have an Explorer SE Pro on the way, and have been looking at the posts showing the Fe Co #'s used to id the targets (I realize they are different on the E-trac, and have been looking at Explorer data). My question is, were they obtained by air tests or recorded then dug? My other question is, does it matter? Will they show the same in the ground VS air tests, or will it be different? Should I take the handy dandy list with me and look at the #' and say "hey that's a quarter", or should I start recording #'s before I dig and make my own " in ground" list?? By the way, I plan on digging everything two way repeatable anyway. HH Joe

 

[Mike Bearden]

Hi Joe,
As always .. the best discriminator is a digging tool when just starting out.... especially when learning the Explorer !
For sure ... coin size objects CAN differ on the screen in air test vs. in ground testing but trust your ears and instincts first and foremost.
Listen for the cleaner rouned/flutey sounds that seem to lock on good ... whether using a numerical scale or the smart find screen ... either way works.
After time your brain will come into sync with the detectors multiple sounds and it will all click ... there is really no shortcuts that will make up for time spent in the field.
The main thing is to take your time analyzing your targets and enjoy yourself while learning the Explorers language.
One persons settings and charts may work for you while others simply wont because the particular site and ground conditions will vary.
Since you have some Excal experience ... I suspect it won't take long for you to be successful with the Explorer ...
The coin charts for the most part are very close .... but don't walk away from a nice locked on signal because it doesn't fit some chart
Good Hunting
Mike

 

[JoeinMemphis]

Thank you, from what I have been hearing about this machine, I will definately go with "trust your ears" method, since I have seen many posts mention that the tones are much truer than the screen seems to be, especially at depth. Regarding the Excal2, yea, its hard to hunt any other way and I definately like the way that machine operates. the only "oddity" I have noticed is that deeper coins etc. seem to shift the pitch a bit higher than identical shallower coins, I wonder if the Explorer is the same way? HH Joe

 

[Mike Bearden]

the sound will pitch higher at depths much like the Excal ... take a faint medium-high tone and work the coil closer to the target little by little until the sweet spot of the coil and movement has become a shortened WIGGLE motion ... that takes the medium-high tone on up to the HIGHEST tone silver sound and the target cursor up into the far right corner of the screen where it'll finally lock solid if it's silver any good grade coin. You'll get to know the difference between a beat up zinc cent vs. a wheat simply because of the quality of the metal sound ... just an example.

The Minelab Wiggle works great and never leaves one needing a pinpoint button once learned

Mike