Good questions. I've probably built 50 different programs on the CTX 3030 and had success with each of them. Each one has different applications. This specific program was one I built for finding deep old coins at a couple "favorite" spots that I've been detecting for years. One is an old fair ground that stopped being used in the late 1880's. The other is an old race track that went out of business in the early 1890's. The only "trash" I find in them are old nails from the stables or shelter house, rifle casings and shotgun brass. So I consider them to be "low trash" sites. I'm comfortable running with these discrimination patterns as Pattern 1 allows all targets with FE properties between 7 and 16, restricting only the CO values of what is typically wrap around effects of the bent nails. And in Pattern 2, I only reject FE line 35. With that said, I've been advocating using an open screen for years. Since using the CTX 3030, I am starting to change my thinking about using an open screen all the time, as I did on the X-TERRA and E-TRAC. The benefits of Ferrous Coin and Target trace has made this a whole new ball game, as far as some of my "old habits" are concerned. Even I have to keep reminding myself.... this ain't another Explorer or E-TRAC. It is a whole new beast!
As to the gold rings..... with the FE lines set as they are in Pattern 1, and the nearly open screen of Pattern 2, I've been fortunate to have found several gold rings with similar discrimination parameters. On the gold rings I've found, the FE values vary greatly. But the CO numbers have all been within the CO values of 8 - 15.
I'd encourage everyone to do some "head to head" testing of buried targets, using an open screen vs discrimination. Particularly with some of the new Audio Profiles and Separation modes. You may discover some combinations of settings that will change your mind on hearing everything and letting your ears sort it out. I know I have, for many of the sites I hunt. JMHO HH Randy
