Depth in cold weather and frost???

[migolddigger]

In general does the Mine Lab Explorer II lose depth in frost say an inch thick. I I've taken my detector out using the 8 inch coil twice now with the frost breaking in lower 40 degree weather and it doesn't seem to get the same depth as it did last year. I'm Running brand new Energizer lithiums in the battery pack. I also was Thinking the coil might be an Issue, so I put my Platapus coil on and it, and it doesn't act like it wants to go deep either. I'm hunt in an area were silver and wheats hit at the 8-10 inch mark. It seems I'm only getting reads to the 4 inch mark. I'm asking the question on Here, because I know If I call Sandra at Mine lab she will say, what the heck are you doing using that detector out in that cold weather? You'll break it.
I know the Mine lab Explorer II has a set temperature range for max performance, but does it really affect it in the 40 degree temperature range? I was hunting in thick soft mud after the frost of one inch. I want to make sure it's not the detector thats acting up. I hoping it's just operator stupidity. Any information you can give will greatly appreciated. Thanks again

Tom

 

[Steve(MS)]

Tom, I don't know about frozen ground because we don't have that problem here but maybe you could do some air tests and see if it seems to be working ok. Maybe some others with frozen ground can give you some input too.

 

[migolddigger]

Thanks for your prompt response Steve. I see your logic in an air test, but the frost is what my main concern lies. I wonder if it throws back the coil signal and stops ground penetration I know that the air test is just that, an air test. I never judge the Explorer on that because the ground in Michigan is moist and in general really conductive in the spring time. We get a great halo affect here. I just don't know about the frost issue. Maybe Charles or Cody could answer this one if he's still around. If anyone in the northern part of the US,Canada, or any country that has issues with Frost or knowledge there of, can chime in on this. I'd appreciate it very much so.
Thanks ahead of time for your response.

Tom

 

[BlackX]

I was digging through snow this winter and figured the snow acts pretty much like air. (Easy to glide the coil though!) When you say frost an inch thick, do you mean an inch thick above the ground or the ground is frozen/frosted down an inch? Good question.

 

[digitrich]

Makes a great combination for poor depth and lots of falsing.

 

[digitrich]

Both my SE's are acting the same way, so I am pretty sure it's the frost causing the lack of depth and non repeating signals of good targets.

 

[digitrich]

God I love my Mine Labs