Discovery3300 Ground Balancing

[Dirtdigger33]

I was reminded today of how tricky learning a new detector can be, but also how rewarding it is once you get it figured out. I had been taking my 3300 out here and there and also another detector on the same hunts. Word to the wise, if you get a new detector leave the rest at home for a few hunts and work on mastering your new detector. I had figured out manual ground balancing, but because my soil is not that bad I did not see the benefits in using it and mainly used the preset ground balance. Today I used the manual ground balance. I found the pinpoint feature dead on, more accurate than with preset ground balance and dug deeper targets than before. I went over areas previously searched and found good targets. They were not recently dropped coins either, some were pretty deep and worn. Needless to say my next detector will have manual ground balance as well. It was all to easy to figure out how to ground balance. Don't be fooled by the fact that this machine was sold at Radio Shack, it is a Bounty Hunter inside and one of their best sleeper machines ever made. I will not be parting with mine anytime soon.

 

[Dave J.]

Thanks, Dirtdigger.

The 3300 is based on a platform we call the 3018. It was designed by a contract engineering firm we work with, Sherwood Engineering. The basis they were playing with was the target ID system that goes back to George Payne of "old Teknetics" fame. At the time I was another contract engineer, and offered Sherwood a few good hints in spots where it looked like they might be getting themselves into trouble. John Gardiner, a longtime BH engineer and First Texas employee, also kibitzed.

Sherwood did an exceptionally good job on it. Several years later John Gardiner and I tried to improve the Sherwood platform, and after a half year struggle we gave up.

The 3300 is the result of input from several metal detector engineers with different backgrounds. I suppose that's why it turned out so good.

--Dave J.

 

[Dirtdigger33]

Thanks Dave for the info. On the 3300. I love history and how things are made. Metal detecting has quickly grown into my favorite hobby. I am on my second year and can't wait to go out when I get the chance. Thanks for the wealth of info you bring to this forum. Keep bringing the bounty hunters out and I'll keep enjoying the hobby. I own the 505 and the 3300, but I am wondering what other Bounty Hunter would be a good one to buy. I am curiuos about the platinum and like what I read about the Tracker IV. What kind of depth does the 8" coil get with the tracker on a quarter? What about the platinum with same coil and a quarter max depth? What Bounty Hunter would you recommend for a wide open field hunt? You don,t have to answer all these questions. The last is the most important if you have time, much appreciated. HH.

 

[Dave J.]

The TK4 isn't deep (about 6 inches on coins) but within its depth limits it's got good response characteristics that make it popular for park and tot-lot use.

The top of the BH line is the Platinum, which air tests about 10-11 inches on coins, of course usually less in the ground.

We also manufacture the Fisher and Teknetics lines if you want even more performance and have more money to spend. For wide open field hunting the Tek T2 or Fisher F75 SE/LTD versions have huge sensitivity and where there's grass or stubble you can swing the searchcoil several inches above the ground surface and still find targets at reasonable depth. The Tek Omega is a very user-friendly coin machine. The GB/G2 are very versatile and easy to use and are especially good for searching in heavy iron trash that give most other machines fits.

--Dave J.

 

[Dirtdigger33]

Thanks again Dave for the info. on the detectors. I would like to branch out into a deeper reaching or more specialized machine at some point, just have to save my pennies I find. My wife has said aside from the really good finds I can use the clad I find to buy any new equipment I would like. I guess if you earn something you appreciate it more. It is just fun to get out and see what I will find next and my wife is really good about giving me the time to hunt, even though we are both busy with work and family. I have looked into the Fisher line more than Teknetics, but will keep in mind your suggestions. I appreciate your responses on this forum. It is nice to have someone on here who knows and understands the Bounty Hunter detectors. I am quite intrigued by what I have read and see from users of the Platinum. Keep up the great work at First Texas Products. HH and thanks again.