Garrett GTI 2500

[coins-searcher]

According to my Garrett Metal Detectors Owner's manual, page 22 #3: "Your GTI 2500 begins operating with all settings at factory-set levels. Any of the settings can be changed easily, but you may never want to do so. It is recommended that you use these settings the first 10 hours you hunt with your detector."

I failed to follow this instruction, not following the 10 hour rule, and instead played around with the controls figuring out how to use the detector prior to reading this rule. Are there consequences for failure to follow the rules? Did I hurt the computer of the detector? Why specifically the 10 hour rule or does it really matter? I am having confusing problems experimenting with my quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies of my own and not accurately showing on my screen.

Michael

 

[Da Yooper]

No harm has been done, it's just a recommended amount of time given to learn how the detector works. Now set mode to all metal and for the next ten hours dig every target. Happy hunting

 

[Orion42]

Agreed, the 10 hour mark is just a guide to get used to the machine. I had to turn the threshold down right away when I got mine. I like just a very low hum. The sensitivity may have to be adjusted for your area too. You can always reset to factory settings if you're concerned.

John

 

[John-Edmonton]

It's a great machine. Once you understand how the imaging works and it's limitations, the machine will get above average good targets in a given amount of time. There have been instances where people had a hard time learning the GTI 2500, so that's why it is suggested you hunt in the factory settings. And no harm done!

Good luck with your GTI 2500. Just keep at it, and you will see your finds increasing quickly.

 

[gregira]

does the 2500 distinguish between ferrus and non-ferus metals?

 

[Muddyshoes]

The 10-hour rule is actually a pretty good rule of thumb. After about 10 hours, you start to have a handle on the sounds and what they mean. Here's another rule of thumb:

Regardless of how many dials and pictures there are on the display, your ears will be the biggest determiner as to whether or not a target is dig-worthy. You will learn to discern the most minute changes in pitch and sound after a while. It's pretty amazing.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

What 10 hours? Jokes aside, you'll be fine. I never follow suggestions like that as it does not work for me like That. The US coins mode will miss some of our Aussie coins. It is a good suggestion to keep the sensitivity down a bit as lot's of folks new to detecting think that cranking things up to the max is the way to go. What that will do, is cause the detector to be touchy which will in turn only frustrate you. It's a very good idea to play around with it at home in an area that is free of metal junk. Place both good and bad targets on the ground and go over them with the detector just to see how the detector responds to various targets. You should always make several passes over any signal that grabs your attention as you are looking for consistent (stable) responses from good targets while rubbish targets and multiple targets will behave differently.
The imaging feature is a terrific feature that can spoil you the more you use it. It seems to be most accurate when the targets is 5 to 6 inches from the coil (indicated by depth meter). It's important to make sure that you have the target in the centre of the coil when pinpointing, otherwise both the depth and imaging can be inaccurate if you don't. The shallowest depth shown, is normally when you have the target in the centre of the coil.
Good luck with it, I'm sure you'll have many hours of pleasure with it. Just remember that we all dig rubbish as well as good targets, so don't get frustrated if you dig up rubbish. as you get better with the detector, your good to bad target ratio will improve. there will be plenty of pleasant surprises along the way as well.
Mick Evans.