Believe what you read.
This machine/VBS technology takes some learning, especially for someone who is contaminated by years of using lesser machines. Before I bought my Safari, I did extensive reading on the web and (to summarize the masses) to really get the most out of the Safari, it takes anywhere from 40 to 60 hours of hard hunting on the machine. Reviews said that one day, something would just CLICK in your head and you'd start to realize the capabilities of this detector. Yeah, Right.
Well, that is exactly what happened to me. While I have been casually metal detecting off and on since the 70's with various machines, I went from digging 60-90% trash and mostly pennies with my new Safari to 10-15% trash (or less some days and i hunt in REALLY trashy areas) and more clad coins than pennies. My clad quarter count has also gone way up since the CLICK. I have swung over silver only twice so far but I am convinced that if I can get my coil over it, Safari wont miss it. My Safari SCREAMED 39 over silver and wouldnt budge on the signal both times. (gotta get some permissions to hunt some old houses!)
So, for those new to the Safari or thinking about getting one:
1) realize that it will be about 40 hours or 3 battery charges before you "get it". You will still be finding stuff like the rest of the metal detecting world, but it Will get better. a LOT better.
2) Listen to the tones and only use the #'s to confirm. Ignore the TID icons.
3) Read Andy Sabich's book. Then read it again. Then STUDY it.
4) Build a test garden if you can. If you cant, throw some targets and trash on the ground, cover with a piece of cardboard and Practice. But honestly, the best practice is Doing. Go to a local park that has been hammered and learn there. If you can find stuff there among all the trash, you can find stuff most anywhere.
5) Start with my Learning Setup for parks:
- smaller coil than factory (factory coil is great for less trashy areas); i recommend the 6"x8" SEF DD/Butterfly coil
- all metal mode
- blank out everything except 14 and 32 thru 39
- only dig the 14's if they are strong and dont waver. poptops and screwtops will give a wavering 14. nickels give a strong consistant signal.
- dig all 36-39; higher is better
- in general, 39 is silver, 38 is clad quarter, 37 is clad dime, below that is pennies and trash with higher odds of trash as you get a lower number. but realize that GROUND CONDITIONS such as moisture can and will change the readings of a given coins. ime, very dry ground makes the coins read deeper than they actually are and shifts a coin's number lower, so dig some of those low to mid 30's until you get a feel for that day's ground conditions.
- if you reach the depth that the Safari says the target is at, or an inch or so below and your pinpointer says the target is "just a wee bit deeper", Stop Digging. It is trash; especially with even a slightly wavering signal. Can slaw or wire can fool the Safari this way.
I've never hunted a beach so I cant help there. I do plan on a beach trip this fall, so if anyone can give me some pointers, they will be greatly appreciated.
This machine/VBS technology takes some learning, especially for someone who is contaminated by years of using lesser machines. Before I bought my Safari, I did extensive reading on the web and (to summarize the masses) to really get the most out of the Safari, it takes anywhere from 40 to 60 hours of hard hunting on the machine. Reviews said that one day, something would just CLICK in your head and you'd start to realize the capabilities of this detector. Yeah, Right.
Well, that is exactly what happened to me. While I have been casually metal detecting off and on since the 70's with various machines, I went from digging 60-90% trash and mostly pennies with my new Safari to 10-15% trash (or less some days and i hunt in REALLY trashy areas) and more clad coins than pennies. My clad quarter count has also gone way up since the CLICK. I have swung over silver only twice so far but I am convinced that if I can get my coil over it, Safari wont miss it. My Safari SCREAMED 39 over silver and wouldnt budge on the signal both times. (gotta get some permissions to hunt some old houses!)
So, for those new to the Safari or thinking about getting one:
1) realize that it will be about 40 hours or 3 battery charges before you "get it". You will still be finding stuff like the rest of the metal detecting world, but it Will get better. a LOT better.
2) Listen to the tones and only use the #'s to confirm. Ignore the TID icons.
3) Read Andy Sabich's book. Then read it again. Then STUDY it.
4) Build a test garden if you can. If you cant, throw some targets and trash on the ground, cover with a piece of cardboard and Practice. But honestly, the best practice is Doing. Go to a local park that has been hammered and learn there. If you can find stuff there among all the trash, you can find stuff most anywhere.
5) Start with my Learning Setup for parks:
- smaller coil than factory (factory coil is great for less trashy areas); i recommend the 6"x8" SEF DD/Butterfly coil
- all metal mode
- blank out everything except 14 and 32 thru 39
- only dig the 14's if they are strong and dont waver. poptops and screwtops will give a wavering 14. nickels give a strong consistant signal.
- dig all 36-39; higher is better
- in general, 39 is silver, 38 is clad quarter, 37 is clad dime, below that is pennies and trash with higher odds of trash as you get a lower number. but realize that GROUND CONDITIONS such as moisture can and will change the readings of a given coins. ime, very dry ground makes the coins read deeper than they actually are and shifts a coin's number lower, so dig some of those low to mid 30's until you get a feel for that day's ground conditions.
- if you reach the depth that the Safari says the target is at, or an inch or so below and your pinpointer says the target is "just a wee bit deeper", Stop Digging. It is trash; especially with even a slightly wavering signal. Can slaw or wire can fool the Safari this way.
I've never hunted a beach so I cant help there. I do plan on a beach trip this fall, so if anyone can give me some pointers, they will be greatly appreciated.
