AUTO SENSITIVITY

[McDean]

The video makes sense as their are many machines that ground balance this way. I'm gonna start trying this method. I want the over-the-top super sens mode! I'm sure certain conditions must be met before sens 30+ is achieved, such as mineralization, Iron contamination, surrounding EMI interference...

I wonder how many others out there have seen this phenomenon? What their settings were, what part of the world, targets found etc...

Can't wait to find my long lost ghost town which is a wheat field now

 

[jackkell1963]

Ok, so just out of curiosity I gave this a try and to my surprise there is something to it. I had about an hour to get out this morning so I went to a park close by that I have hunted quite a bit. I was swinging along and notice my auto +3 sens was running at 19, I then switched to manual sens, "which I have set a 24" waited for a minute and then switched back to auto +3 and walla my auto +3 is now running at 22. The only thing that I can think of that might cause this is that the machine is being slow in rebalancing and when you switch it back to auto it creates a forced rebalance. I don't know but I really didn't put much faith in what was being said about this phenomenon until I saw it happen on my machine with my own eyes.

 

[utahshovelhead]

You guys come on out here to Utah. If we ever get to 30 were sure our machine is broken or we are just trying out some crazy settings for tricks and kicks. Ive mentioned this before but the old ghost town I hunt occaisionally gives a suggested sensitivity of 2 in some spots. TWO...and you all talkin bout 30+. Im gonna start keeping all the bullets I find and mail them to sombody in your state to spread around just to piss you off.

Hehee!
I feel better just talkin bout it!

 

[Gaz]

Ok, so just out of curiosity I gave this a try and to my surprise there is something to it. I had about an hour to get out this morning so I went to a park close by that I have hunted quite a bit. I was swinging along and notice my auto +3 sens was running at 19, I then switched to manual sens, "which I have set a 24" waited for a minute and then switched back to auto +3 and walla my auto +3 is now running at 22. The only thing that I can think of that might cause this is that the machine is being slow in rebalancing and when you switch it back to auto it creates a forced rebalance. I don't know but I really didn't put much faith in what was being said about this phenomenon until I saw it happen on my machine with my own eyes.

...as I said....it did this because Auto needs a little while to reference the ground before it sets it's optimum level.
Manual doesn't need this time because you're telling it what setting to use.

Gaz.

 

[NebTrac]

You guys come on out here to Utah. If we ever get to 30 were sure our machine is broken or we are just trying out some crazy settings for tricks and kicks. Ive mentioned this before but the old ghost town I hunt occaisionally gives a suggested sensitivity of 2 in some spots. TWO...and you all talkin bout 30+. Im gonna start keeping all the bullets I find and mail them to sombody in your state to spread around just to piss you off.

Hehee!
I feel better just talkin bout it!

I'm glad you feel better Utah!! This is your place to let it all out man!

NebTrac

 

[sugar]

i went out today and got my etrac running on 27 by using manual at 26 i have got a bad knee and was absolutely creamed when i got home as i just didnt stop digging i want you guys to know that i have learnt such alot from this forum and if i have helped a few of you get higher sensitivity then i feel i have given a little something back there might be another explanation but i also realize that i am now understanding the etrac a little bit more on my first outing a detector buddy said to me you need to be low on discrimination and high on sensitivity as a newbie with an etrac i thought he was talking a foriegn language but now i get it and my finds are increasing thanks for all the help and for writing and discussing stuff that really helps when we are starting with very little knowledge you are a great bunch and this is a great forum.

 

[jackkell1963]

Ok, so just out of curiosity I gave this a try and to my surprise there is something to it. I had about an hour to get out this morning so I went to a park close by that I have hunted quite a bit. I was swinging along and notice my auto +3 sens was running at 19, I then switched to manual sens, "which I have set a 24" waited for a minute and then switched back to auto +3 and walla my auto +3 is now running at 22. The only thing that I can think of that might cause this is that the machine is being slow in rebalancing and when you switch it back to auto it creates a forced rebalance. I don't know but I really didn't put much faith in what was being said about this phenomenon until I saw it happen on my machine with my own eyes.

...as I said....it did this because Auto needs a little while to reference the ground before it sets it's optimum level.
Manual doesn't need this time because you're telling it what setting to use.

Gaz.

Ok, maybe I should be more specific, My machine had been running at 19 with sensitivity set at auto +3 for more than a half hour before I switched to manual and then back. I mean no offense but how much time would you think would be reasonable for the machine to determine ground conditions and adjust its sensitivity accordingly. And a post note, It continued to run at 22 the remainder of the time even when going over some of the same area that I started in.

 

[detectorfreak74]

I had a heck of a time in one yard and tried everything and adjusted everything and then I called Kevin at minelab he said it was a ham radio and sure enough the guy at the house had the ham radio and when he turned it off it was fine

 

[sugar]

Ok, so just out of curiosity I gave this a try and to my surprise there is something to it. I had about an hour to get out this morning so I went to a park close by that I have hunted quite a bit. I was swinging along and notice my auto +3 sens was running at 19, I then switched to manual sens, "which I have set a 24" waited for a minute and then switched back to auto +3 and walla my auto +3 is now running at 22. The only thing that I can think of that might cause this is that the machine is being slow in rebalancing and when you switch it back to auto it creates a forced rebalance. I don't know but I really didn't put much faith in what was being said about this phenomenon until I saw it happen on my machine with my own eyes.

on a couple of occasions i have been running without checking sensitivity and like you said have been running for a considerable time and after checking sensitivity at 19 i moved to auto to get a decent level you know how it chatters on like a canary on crack and that is when i have switched back to auto and that is when i have seen it at this much higher level so it is a fluke really that i have discovered this strange happening glad it worked for you we will have to see if by switching it a couple of times we can move it up again whoooopee

 

[sugar]

i mean move to manual SORRY LOST THE PLOT

 

[stasys]

Hello, I think somebody should make air test on manual and auto and check if auto 25 or 25+3 is the same 25 manual for depth in air? Stasys

 

[McDean]

Hello, I think somebody should make air test on manual and auto and check if auto 25 or 25+3 is the same 25 manual for depth in air? Stasys

Good idea, I would be interested inseeing this aswell... I did a similar "airtest" back when I first got the etrac... my results were recorded where the target fell right out of detection range, those millimeters between a solid tone and a warbly type of signal.

I found that manual sensitivity set at 16 offered one inch more depth (consistently) than auto 16 (no + or - )

Based on this, I use auto in conjunction with manual to determine what manual setting will give the best results without falsing... that extra inch could mean the difference between a great find or going home skunked.

And now I've learned the coil pumping trick so I'm anxious to see how that fares in the field... also been experimenting with setting the noise channel manually, before and after " ground balancing" sometimes the channel I choose manually is more stable with higher sens capabilities than simply pressing noise cancel button... I love this machine, its as simple or as complicated as you make it.

For beginners I suggest factory modes, auto everything... to get a "feel" then slowly start tinkering...

HARDY HAR HAR HH )

 

[stasys]

And now I've learned the coil pumping trick so I'm anxious to see how that fares in the field... also been experimenting with setting the noise channel manually, before and after " ground balancing" sometimes the channel I choose manually is more stable with higher sens capabilities than simply pressing noise cancel button... I love this machine, its as simple or as complicated as you make it.

For beginners I suggest factory modes, auto everything... to get a "feel" then slowly start tinkering...

HARDY HAR HAR HH )[/quote]
i found that on my explorer (etrac should be similar) manual channel 1 a bit deeper 2-5mm max on small coin,did air test with poleaster 100mm insulation foam and coin for constant distance and dropped sensitivity until signal disappeared or changed to ferrous sound. automatic noise cancel most of the time stops on 11. so now I do manual noise cancel. Stasys

 

[Gaz]

....air testing FBS machines is a waste of time lads. They just don't air test well because of the unique way they work.
It's when the target is in the ground they excel.

Gaz.

 

[stasys]

Gaz its not true what you say, what is about FBS and BBS that they show the same or close depth in the ground like in air or more than single frequency detectors. I did experiment with my explorer mi lion times and I know what I say. etrac is the same. all detectors works the same and all detectors you can test in air but on some ground condition and frequency on which detectors works can make some differences. so make air test and dont imagine that you will get more depth in the ground than in the air because electro magnetic field is some how amplified. Stasys

 

[McDean]

Gaz, thankyou. Constructive criticism is always appreciated & if I am wrong, then I am wrong... that simple...

Are there others who agree manual sensitivity is not deeper than the same setting on auto?

I understand that "airtests" are superficial to an extent compared to in the field detecting amongst iron and minerals, target blending, emi, etc. Airtesting is a controlled environment and therefore merely provides a baseline of info to be taken into consideration, not actually relied upon as set in stone. A couple hours airtesting compared to DAYS of swinging has taught me that...

Dean

 

[OhioCoinHunter]

My E-trac does not do well on depth when air testing but it's a beast in the ground.

 

[McDean]

Interesting conclusion OCH I have yet to find a coin deeper than my airtest results. I'll be upset to say the least if I find it is the opposite with my etrac... crossing fingers LOL besides, airtesting is just fun for me when I can't get out and helps me to stay familiarized with sounds, buttons, menus, etc...

The real issue here though, "airtesting" aside, is manual sens DEEPER than auto sens?

 

[Gaz]

...hi guys.

Please take my comments as they were intended....just to inform and progress the thread. They were by no means meant to offend....I would never do that as I place great
fondness of this forum.

The general consensus in the Minelab user camp is that airtesting FBS or BBS type machines doesn't give any true likenesses of depth. With normal single frequency machines, they do as you
say emit a constant EM field. FBS & BBS machine emit an EM pulse which is a totally different kettle of fish.

My gut feeling is that Manual is deeper than Auto but other factors need to be considered. I'm old school....I always run my machine stable to get the best.
Running too hot I feel can cause you to miss targets in amongst the pops and chirps.
When running stable in TTF with no threshold....I can concentrate on picking up the smallest of high tones.

Just my thoughts guys......a great thread and some great feedback & comments!!!!

All the best,

Gaz.

 

[sugar]

when we check this in the field are you wanting to check whether 24 plus 3 auto is better or worse than 27 manual just clarifying so we are all on the same page dont need to do air tests if we bury a few pieces at specific depths and then switch to auto plus 3 keep going down your buried stuff and then calculate your manual figure and do the same test and then we can discuss results on here is that rubbish have your say as you guys are alot more experienced than me