Do I really need a meter?

[VBDave]

I recently bought a Sov XS2aPro on Ebay. It was advertised as "like new, never used". I recieved it in that condition and believe it to be true. It has the Minelab 500 meter. My experience with the BBS technology is an Excaliber I used for a year on the local beaches, so I have a clue as to how the Sovereign works. I intend the Sovereign for dirt digging only, and will soon add a Sunray probe. I'm considering removal of the meter for two reasons: First, I usually get to my hunting spots via motorcycle with my equipment in a backpack and I'd like to minimize what I carry. Second, my former land machine was a Tesoro Vaquero, which was really lightweight in comparison to the Sov, so I'd like to save weight where I can. I can see the meter maybe helping me with tones as I learn the machine, but what's the consensus as to its value after I that?

 

[ZOFCHAK]

IMO Yes! You can get away without one on the beach, but while dirt fishing I found mine to be a necessity. It really helps on the deep coins as sometimes they won't sound that great, but you can watch the numbers climb.

 

[Marc(NB)]

My opinion on a meter is,its a very valuable piece of electronic.Its an aid to help decide if you want to dig that target or not.Once you know your tones for a good target and the meter reading corresponding with a favourable target,it will help you a lot in deciding if you dig or not.But the most important thing to know are the good tones and use the meter as a secondary decision maker.Good luck!

 

[gear box]

In my opinion,absolutly. I've had my GT for one summer. I started without a meter and I had some trouble recognizing the tones and my find's were meager. After getting a meter my find's got better and better. It will also shorten the learning curve. You can alway's sell it later.
Good luck,Gary

 

[Cache Man]

"No "you don't have to, but you will have to dig every signal, shallow all the way to 10 or so inches until you remember every sound over and over could take awhile, Good luck with that, or you can take every ones advice and shorten the learning curve by 6-12 months.
HH. Cache Man:detecting

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Dave,If you want those old deep silver and copper coins the 180 meter is the only way to go.You won't hear the climbing numbers.The meter permits the user to see in numbers the difference between Indians Heads early wheat's and zinc.Our hearing isn't good enough with the tones to hear the the slight change,but the meter will enable you to see that 1 number numerical difference,which will give exact ID and better depth.HH Ron

 

[VBDave]

OK, I'm convinced, thanks for all the replies. My setup has the original 550 meter. Is the 180 that much better? If so, I'd prefer to buy one rather than modify mine, so are there other options? I understand Sunray no longer makes a 180 for my XS2a, and I'm having no luck finding a used one. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the new GT meter won't work on my XS, right?

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Dave,the meter you have should work for all the Sovereigns.The Sunray meter can be found but most people who have them keep these meters.I would recalibrate your current meter and buy a Sunray meter at your first opportunity.Most Sovereign user's who sell off their equipment will keep these meter's because the are difficult to replace.The Washburn Avenger and Night Hawk look like the Sunray,perform very well and sell for a premium but the screen will blank out in bright sunlight,of the two I had the nickles would come in around 149 much higher than the Sunray.Good luck HH Ron

 

[UtahRich]

Is the new Minelab 'recalibrated' meter on the 180 scale?

 

[Rick(ND)]

n/t