Another Coil Question

[Shayne]

I have searched and read tons of posts in this forum and the explorer forum and what I really need right now are testimonials. There has to be a forum favorite LARGE coil for the eTrac. I beach hunt, coin shoot and relic hunt in eastern VA - so I am looking for an "all purpose" coil that is stable, deep, not too heavy and proven. The stock pro coil covers more ground, but is less stable and not really any deeper than my 6X8 SEF. Right now, if I am swinging the pro coil slow, about 8 inches is about the limit. Please advise.

 

[EtracTom-AdirondacksNY]

You know sometimes a larger coil isn't going to get you any better depth or more stability. In your case from what I've read of your soil the smaller coils may be better as it SEES LESS mineralization and doesn't wreak havoc on the depth as much because it's like trying to process a 5 gallon bucket of soil under the coil every couple of feet of your sweep. Lots for the machine to process there. The 6x8 being smaller seems more stable and can be cranked up high in manual here as well in my fairly high mineralized soil too and it's precisely because of that reason less soil under it to process out. Maybe a Sunray 8" coil may be the way to go. Have you tried the WOT 15" or otherwise called wonderful orange thing 15" coil?? A lot use it on sandy beaches as it covers a lot of ground and works for them I think they want to cover more ground and still get decent depth so that is why as coverage is more important in that scenario gives your odds a better chance of getting the coil over a good target.

 

[Shayne]

Thanks for the feedback Etrac Tom. I think you are probably right, as I had a rather successful hunt today using my 6X8 SEF at a spot that I have pounded over the last year. Found one Merc (1916), one war nickle (1943), two Indians (1891/Unk) and 10 wheaties. Problem with the soil here is that any coin that is not silver is almost impossible to read - the coins are very dirty/stained and I have not figured out a way to clean them well enough to actually see the dates. I literally have a small mason jar full of wheat pennies and other copper coins that I can't identify. Nevertheless, I think I may get a SunRay X12 as a replacement for my stock pro coil - seems to have good online reviews and I am just not confident that my stock coil is functioning properly. Thanks again...

 

[EtracTom-AdirondacksNY]

Shayne I soak them in olive oil or do a peroxide bath in heated up peroxide in a cup in a microwave then after I take it out I put the coin in the heated solution and let it boil and soak. I have also tried ketchup on nickles put them in a zip lock bag and let them soak in it and it lifts off the black and green makes the ketchup change colors so you know it's working but be careful don't leave in too long or it will pit them from lifting off the surface corrosion and possiably ruin them.

 

[bentrac]

Anybody have any luck with 10x12 sef coil just curious. Im sold on the 8x6 sef for a smaller coil but would like a bigger coil as well

 

[EtracTom-AdirondacksNY]

Yes but it's quite a bit heavier feeling on the machine than the stock Pro coil and has about the same results in my soil both about equal. But because of the weight I prefer the stock Pro coil. The Sunray 12" is a bit bigger yet and it's lighter than the SEF coil too. If going bigger then go bigger and get the 12" I"d say. Also it's round so it's smoother to drag over the ground too.