Had to turn the sensitivity down on the Omega today

[Jackpine Savage]

The Omega was running great with the sensitivy set at 95 with no EMI then started to get a little erratic. Thinking I should check the ground balance, when I switched over to AT the threshold tone was going in and out while sweeping the coil, I had never run into before. I don't know what the difference was in ground conditions, but when I lowered the sensitivity to 85 the threshold smoothed right out.

Lesson: it pays to check stuff like this once in a while. Learning (re-learning) something every day.

HH Tom

 

[BuckeyeBrad]

It's all relative Tom....I can seldom run much over 70 but get great (as good as it gets for me at my sites) depth and I too have no complaints.

 

[Furious T]

Horses for courses, Tom. I've found my Omega tolerates a lot that some of my other detectors wont, but I still need to have a little consideration for the machine. It's a great unit, and I reckon it will take me a long time yet to get really proficient with it. I have fun taking up the challenge.

 

[Jackpine Savage]

Brad I don't know what factors are limiting your use of the higher settings but it is good to know you are pleased with the results you get especially since it compares favorably with your other detectors at certain tasks.

I'm still in the learning phase of using high threshold settings in disc mode. Compared to AT which is pretty straight forward regarding target response, the VCO audio modes convey a ton of information and from what I have experienced so far whether its a fringe depth target or co-located target it's all good.

Tom

 

[Monte]

because I can't run it (Sensitivity) as high as I can in the Discriminate mode. Not in my local nasty dirt and with the EMI from urban sources, but that's how it is designed.

As a matter of fact, I am usually operating at about '75' Sensitivity in the All Metal mode, right at the point of hearing a functional threshold audio.

The main button/switch that I need on my Omega, however, is also not found on any other detector. That's the one that can turn this Rain OFF!

Happy Hunting,

Monte

 

[Jackpine Savage]

we are having the driest winter/spring in decades. Except for hitting the fields before planting time the beaches are my only other option.

Regarding the threshold coming and going in AT, can I get your opinion on whether or not this would have a negative effect on disc mode performance?

Thanks and it's good to see you over here and looking forward to your input on the Omega.

HH Tom.

 

[jmaryt]

hi monte!
as a long time white's user,one can figure if you bought an omega ,then it must be a great detector!
i'm almost ready to take the plunge myself!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[Monte]

several White's models (like a modified IDX Pro or MXT and variants, and XL Pro), I am not a rock-solid, single-brand detectorist. I use what works for ME in the sites I like to hunt. As I've aged (ripened??) I tend to prefer a light-weight detector that doesn't sacrifice much in the way of performance. I also like smaller-size coils for many/most applications.

hi monte!
as a long time white's user, one can figure if you bought an omega ,then it must be a great detector!
i'm almost ready to take the plunge myself!

(h.h!)
j.t.

I like a Minelab Safari as a "simple" Explorer-type performance unit for serious "Silver Shooting" or the Explorer SE Pro. However, even though the new 'Pro' coil is lighter and much better balanced, I still find the Explorer designs a bit fatiguing. My bad back, bum shoulder, and other ailments just can't take those Minelabs for long like I used to be able to go.

Of all the White's detectors that have come along in recent years, the XL Pro has provided superb performance when I can work it with that moderate -to-fast sweep design, and a modified IDX Pro is a tough competitor for most anything else that has been around. I hadn't been too thrilled with most "new" model designs until the MXT came along and I regard the MXT and it's off-shoot(s) highly. White's durable 'feel' and design says a lot and the David Johnson design is really what grabbed my attention.

No other manufacturer has really been producing much that has been really appealing to be ... overall ... for the type of hunting I like to do, until recently. by "recently" I am referring to some of the better Fisher and Teknetic's offerings. I have a friend who loves his F5, and for good reasons. I nabbed an Omega 8000 3-coil set-up because I like round coils, especially smaller-size round coils. I prefer a round concentric but the stock 10" concentric is working well, just taking some getting used to, as well as the 11" DD. The 5" round coil, while being a Double-D, is also doing quite well.for me. I borrowed an Omega 8000 to play with until I got mine and the only thing I regret is that I forgot to order 2 spare lower rods for quick, in-the-field coil changes.

I am certain that I can find fault with a few things .... with ANY detector .... but there is more to admire about the Tek Omega than one might realize. It is a unit I'll be using quite a bit, as well as, I hope, a companion model very soon. Summer is coming, and that means vacation time, ghost town trips, and maybe a little nugget hunting as well.

Monte

 

[Cache Man]

Monte I take it you have used the explorer se, how do you compare the omega to the explorer line is it as Deep and does it identify targets as deep? and does it pick targets out of trash as well? in other words after you detect a area and remove the coins if you go back over the same area with the explorer line will any coins remain? Thank HH

 

[jmaryt]

best of luck with your MOST interesting itinerary!..may i ask what is your impression of the venerable f-75?

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[Cache Man]

My self I have a F-70 with a DD coil I don't have a F-75 for coin hunting I believe a f-70 is better because it has Threshold adjustment in Disc (gain) which makes your target appear larger I believe this is what bp on F-75ltd does but I don't think its adjustable their is a lot I like about the F-70. in my dirt which ground balances 65-68 dirt with 2 bars on fe meter I can acquire a dime at 8-9" silver quarter 10" it doesn't lock onto a coin but I tone hunt only, 3h-4h most of the time to match my CZ-70 they both sometimes high tone on nails, in heavy trash I have yet to find a coin with the F-70 that I know has to be there, Thats why I am interested if the Omega will pick out coins in trash like a Explorer se or E-trac their are a lot better coin finding detectors out their F-70, Omega the two I just mentioned to name a few, but picking out coins out of heavy trash is a feat for any detector, a lot of places we detect any more are in heavy trash. I have heard good things about the Omega but I would like to have my questions answered first.HH

 

[Keith Southern]

n/t

 

[Jackpine Savage]

n/t

 

[Keith Southern]

I even went back on the sens to zero tried a new battery turned off cell phone everything I could think of!!strange!No cell towers or houses around??That was the only place it did it..Might of been the dirt..?

I have a place deep in the wood's that you will not run a metal detector without it falsing no matter what you do or which model you use.. Its a strip about 100 yards long and 25 yards wide.. undisturbed ground.. Craziest thing I have ever seen ... Nothing will run stable there...

Might be an Alien landing strip

Glad it worked out for you on lowering the sens!

Keith

 

[Jackpine Savage]

I think most have already been answered. Ultimately the only answer that counts is how it performs for You in Your conditions.

HH Tom

 

[Cache Man]

No they haven't been answered until someone answers my above post! Thanks for your answer That tells me all I need to know, it want do any of the things I ask. HH

 

[Jackpine Savage]

Keith the only site that caused me grief like that (EMI) was when I tried hunting the lot next to a remodeled Inn. Come to find out the new owner has an IT company and and has installed wireless routers. All the newly updated kitchen equipment possibly adds to the situation as well.

Back when I first started detecting I pulled mercs, IH's and a solid silver bridle rosette out of the ground there. Maybe I can talk Chris into turning all that stuff off some morning so I can hit it again with the Omega.

I hear ya on the alien ground I had never experienced anything like that before in what is otherwise 'neutral ground'.

Tom

 

[Jackpine Savage]

I can't answer that one for you. It would take a skilled operator that has a lot of time using all of them to make a fair comparison of their iron hunting abilities. By design single frequency detectors are typically better than multi's when it come to handling iron. IMO the E-trac is Minelabs attempt to try and get the same unmasking ability out of a multi that the better singles offer.

I have hundreds if not thousands of hours on the CZ's, Coinstrike, ID Edge and a couple of 1200 series detectors. I have always been willing to dig every 'iffy' signal encountered with the above detectors to get the most out of my sites. Returning to those same sites with the Omega I am not hitting many iffy signals. What I am getting in most cases are fairly solid good hits on lots of stuff thats still there.

Tom

 

[Monte]

find them a bit limited in some of the iron littered sites I often hunt. For ME, they can make very good "Silver Shooters" in older-use, worked out, more open areas. When I get into some of my favorite ghost towns and renovation sites and other places with a LOT of nails and other closely-spaced iron rubbish, I opt for something I like better and use a smaller-than-stock coil.

my dirt which ground balances 65-68 dirt with 2 bars on fe meter

Not bad dirt so you should get fairly good performance.

I can acquire a dime at 8-9" silver quarter 10" it doesn't lock onto a coin but I tone hunt only, 3h-4h most of the time to match my CZ-70 they both sometimes high tone on nails,...

In not trashy sites you can take advantage of any deep-seeking performance a detector might offer. Yes, on the deeper targets that are audibly located you will not always get a 'proper" audio or visual Target ID. Yes, nail (iron, especially) can cause all detectors to fool you.

Thats why I am interested if the Omega will pick out coins in trash like a Explorer se or E-trac ...

I find several of my older favorites, like a modified White's IDX Pro or Classic III SL can best the Explorers when using a 6

 

[BuckeyeBrad]

I know a few of us were sorta feeling like lone wolves there for a bit and it's been what feels like a long wait for this past harsh winter to end so others could have a chance to see what they can do. These detectors are an exceptional lot in so many aspects. A guy from the local club just got a new Omega Friday after seeing what mine could do and I went out with him yesterday to assist him on his shake down cruise with it. He is not a detector geek at all, although he has a lot of years of experience with the hobby and he's very happy with the O8 already (not an easy feat with this guy) and knows it'll only get better as he learns it more. Oh and Jackpine, how do you like the avatar?