I note this was your first post and all we really know about you or your experience with detectors and "detector talk" is that you mentioned three models that are all lower-cost. The BH 3300 having a suggested retail of only $349 is the most expensive of the three models you list below. So, not knowing how much experience you have with detectors and detector terminology, I'll try and guess at what you're referring to as I respond below.
ThemisMaat said:
I notice some "beep" and some "buzz" over a target.
Way back when hobby metal detectors got started in popularity, mainly in the latter 1960's to very early '70s, the most popular type of designs were Beat Frequency Oscillation, or BFO types. That early audio response was probably more interpreted as a "buzz" as you were listening to a motor-boating audio that increased with a pitch-change when you encountered a metal target. The beats would increase very rapidly which was a change in the "Frequency" that could get rather high-pitched and that pitch-change sounded more like a "buzz" than a "beep" to some folks.
The other technology which came along and soon found greater favor over the BFO's were the Induction Balance [size=small](I/B)[/size] more popularity referred to as Transmit/Receive [size=small](T.R. or T/R)[/size], which is a fixed-frequency, volume or loudness audio response. That is what we would classify as hearing a "beep." You listed below three models, but I don't know if you own all three, have used all three, or only own one but have listened to the audio on videos you've watched, so let me just explain what I think you're interpreting from the three models you listed.
All three models, just like virtually every hobby unit detector in use today, operate on the T/R principle which will produce an audio 'beep' from a loudness change rather than a pure frequency change audio response. But there's an 'except' to that in describing the Euro-Tek Pro. The Euro-Tek Pro gives off a low-tone bass-like audio for ferrous targets, but the higher-conductivity targets are still a higher tone 'beep', but also have a Voltage Controlled Oscillator Audio [size=small](VCO)[/size] that processes that 'beep' with a pitch-change. That is based on the size and alloy content of the target as well is how near or far it is from the search coil. The VCO audio is most likely what you are referring to as a "buzz".
The Delta and BH 3300 produce an audio "beep" in their motion-based Discriminate search modes.
ThemisMaat said:
Can we change the "default tone?" i.e. are there any Detectors that allow me to pick from say 5-10 different menu-setup sounds that most appeal to the individual and stick with that sound and/or change it at will when we I bored of it and want to try something else to satisfy the ears?
Yes, and no. Some detectors on the market today will produce a single-tone audio, and some might have a two-tone audio. Others, like the Delta have a 3-Tone Tone-ID audio response while the BH 3300 has a 4-Tone audio response. Other brands might have a model with a choice of single-tone or processed 7-Tone audio, like the White's M6 and MXT All-Pro, or their MX5 with a 1-Tione,, 2-Tone or 8-Tone audio Tone ID.
Some go farther, such as a Single-Tone or 9-Tone audio ID, one for each Discrimination segment, on White's Coinmaster GT, to Minelab's X-Terra 70 and 705 where the operator can select 1, 2, 3 or 4 Tone audio, or the multi-tone option of 28-Tones, one to match each Discrimination notch segment. You can even get the discontinued White's XLT and DFX or the current VX3 or V3i where you can have up to 191 audio Tones, one for each Discrimination 'notch' or 'segment' from -95 to +95 plus '0'.
Another model I like is the Teknetics Omega that has four Tone ID choices, and the 3-Tone and 4-Tone ID options are more of the processed and mostly saturated audio, and the 1-Tone and 2-Tone [size=small](my favorite)[/size] have a much more modulated audio response that I prefer to a saturated and processed audio tone.
Audio Tone ID is just one of those selectable features that we can either like or dislike and it's nice to have the option of selecting the Tone ID for the audio response we want. Personally, I prefer a good quality single-Tone audio
most of the time, but I do like to use the 2-Tone Audio on the White's MX5, MXT All-Pro; and Teknetics Omega to help audibly classify a lot of iron trash. I also like the wide range of Tone ID responses on the White's XLT and VX3 for 'cruising' open, low-target areas such as open grassy parks and sports fields.
So the answer to your question about changing the audio is kind of available, at least with some models to some degree. There used to be quite a few models in the very late '70s and early '80s that featured a Variable Tone control so you could change the tone [size=small](or pitch or audio frequency, all the same thing)[/size] of what you listed to, but few offer that feature today. Other than some more 'techie' detectors, the only more popular use model that comes to mind is the Tesoro Téjon, but while it does have that adjustable function, it lacks any visual Target ID or VDI Number or other display information as it is audio only. The Téjon would probably be the easiest to make a quick audio tone change to.
ThemisMaat said:
Like I notice some detectors with pin-point built-in drive me nuts and the people around me all stare cause it's so loud and crazy sounding - it'd be nice to change it or have a VOLUME option just for pin-point.
From this sentence I will first suggest you invest in a quality set of headphones with variable Volume controls. That way you will hear all the target responses more clearly, and adjust the Volume to be more comfortable with each ear, and not annoy others who are nearby.
There are some people who just do not understand why we like metal detecting and are not just 'bothered' but are actually 'offended' when they hear the audio report of a metal detector. I like to use a quality headphone with ear cups that cover my ears to block out a lot of outside noise and keep the response from others hearing it easily. They have separate Volume controls, and very good audio response, plus good headphones can also increase battery life. I rely on my White's Pro-Star, Killer B Wasp, and Killer B II headphones, all of which have a Lifetime Warranty. are durable, and fit on snuggly to eliminate any floppy behavior.
Now, about a Pinpoint audio. As I stated, most detectors today work on the T/R principle and that means they are a 'loudness' change from a Threshold audio, getting louder as the search coil is centered over the target. Headphones help with that, as does quickly de-tuning to reduce such a loud report from a shallower target.
Many detectors today also feature a VCO audio in the All Metal Pinpoint function. As I mentioned above, the VCO audio incorporates a 'pitch change' in the audio response which might increase to a higher "squeal-like" audio, or perhaps what you refer to as a "buzz." Personally, I like a VCO audio, as do most users, because it can help pinpoint the target more quickly and accurately. Some detector models have a VCO design that peaks too rapidly and,
to me, that is unpleasant and defeats the functionality of having a VCO audio in Pinpoint. However, when Pinpointing with VCO, it can still be controlled by quickly de-tuning when isolating the target. A rather simple technique to learn.
ThemisMaat said:
I'm mainly talking about these three here: Eurotek Pro, Delta 4000, BH 3300 but I'm willing to switch to something else if you happen to know they have different SOUNDS built-in so I don't get sick and bored of listening to one I don't really enjoy a whole lot
When it comes to listening to a VCO audio it might take a little learning time to get comfortable with it, especially if it is incorporated in the motion Discriminate mode audio response. That's what you hear with the Euro-Tek Pro, the low-tone for Iron and the higher tone that is a VCO audio for higher-conductive targets.
I know several people who tried the Euro-Tek Pro, but just couldn't get comfortable with VCIO audio and went to a Delta or other lower-priced simple detector. The Delta has a 3-Tone Audio ID, if you are accepting all targets, or is a 2-Tone ID function if you have eliminated Iron which produces the low-tone audio. They preferred the 3-Tone audio to the Euro-Tek Pro's Low-tone + VCO audio.
Using any Tone ID detector can add a degree of 'fun' for some people, and in certain applications there might also be a little 'usefulness' to using it, but overall, and again this is
MY opinion but I know shared with quite a few experienced and savvy detectorists, I mainly use just the 2-Tone on my MX5 and MXT All-Pro to help isolate/classify some ferrous trash, and I use Tone ID maybe 75% of the time on my XLT. My Bandido II µMAX is a single-Tone audio, and the Omega, my favorite Teknetics model, is usually used with a 4-Tone ID for hunting "flash money" at tot-lots and similar sites, or I mostly use the 2-Tone audio anywhere else.
One problem with using Tone ID for many people in the hobby is that most are newcomers or less experienced. Many hobbyists only get out detecting on a very limited time basis and not too frequently, and they start to rely on the audio Tone ID just as much as they become dependent on the visual Target ID [size=small](TID)[/size] and the numeric Visual Discrimination Indicator [size=small](VDI)[/size].
When you start to base too much reliance on a 'lock-on' visual display or a 'nice and proper' Tone ID, you are going to be missing a lot of desirable targets that will NOT provide a proper TID or VDI or Tone ID because they are too deep, maybe at a canted angle, located in some challenging mineralization, or are too close to a masking target that could be junk or even another desired target of a different metallic make-up. A jumpy or erratic visual display or a fluctuating or 'noisy' scrambled Tone ID can cause some to walk away from a good find. That's why more knowledgeable and avid detectorists usually prefer a single Tone audio, sometimes a 2-Tone audio, and do not rely very heavily, or at all, on visual information or a multiple-Tone ID operation
Now, about Pinpoint Sensitivity. The only detector I have used that has a separate Sensitivity adjustment for the Pinpoint audio was the Teknetics T2, but I usually left it at the default setting on the two models I had, but have parted with them.
ThemisMaat said:
I see some manuals mention Tone I.D. but I think that's something different.
Tone ID is different from a single Tone response in that you can have two or more audio Tones based upon the conductivity of the target. Many detectors on the market today have some type of Tone ID. Some are fixed at a certain number of tones, some allow two or more Tone ID choice, some allow a fully variable Tone ID set-up.
Then there are the models that have incorporated that "buzzy-sounding" VCO audio in the Discriminate mode as well as Pinpoint, and that can be a challenge for some to accept.
Just take the time to learn each and every detector you own or any you are considering to purchase. I don't suggest using too many of the videos, although some can be helpful, but I DO suggest you contact a local dealer and gets some hands-on time to check them out yourself and listen to the different audio response options they provide. While there, be sure to check out some quality headphones, too.
Sorry this was lengthy but I'm kind of known for that. Not sure what you meant by "buzz" but with the models you referred to, I think it is the VCO audio that you were referring to. Not sure where you are located, but if it happens to be in the NW USA and close to the Portland, Oregon area, you're welcome to our metal detecting group meeting next Saturday the 13th and others or I would be glad to help answer any questions you have, with some hands-on demonstration, if needed.
Monte
Like I notice some detectors with pin-point built-in drive me nuts and the people around me all stare cause it's so loud and crazy sounding - it'd be nice to change it or have a VOLUME option just for pin-point.
which I deploy maybe once per week on a suspected gold chain in the roots type target...