Hmmm just got the f-5 with 6.3 version and 11" d.d.coil

[C.J.M.]

Just received the f-5 and found it to be the 6.3 versions with the 11"d.d.coil,whats the difference from 6.1 version.For a start was wondering if all-metal,would be easier to start with?This sound right sens. 15,tones 2 ,thesh. 0---2+, so do i notch out when i hit nails,iron,and tabs as they come up?Will i have to notch out the same everytime i hunt or they in notched forever?also a starter on disc.,i have sandy soil,but G.B. should take care of it?Thank you.cjm

 

[still looking 52]

1. Not sure what the difference is between 6.1 and 6.3 versions, probably have to call 1st Texas on that one.
2. Starting in all metal wouldn't be the easiest way to start, it would be the hardest because you will be receiving a lot more information from that mode than any other mode.
3.Sens at 15 is ok for swallow hunting, like down to 3 to 4 inches. This may be what you want if you don't want to do a lot of digging. Set it higher for deeper targets like 6 to 8 inches. 85 is my deepest setting.
4. Tones, I like three tone best and I've tried them all.
5. Thres setting zero isn't to bad but I like +2
6.notching? 1st off it won't remember your last setting. As you turn the disc up it will notch out from lower to higher #s, you'll see above each segment as you turn the disc up a cursor will appear above each segment (iron,tabs,nickels,zinc). This means the detector will not pick up this type of metal. The way I set up is turn the disc all the way up to 65 and then go back and notch in each segments I want to pick up. Since I like hunting silver most of the time I don't notch anything but that's just me. Notching will take some practice, it's the most complicated part of the learning curve.

 

[WV62]

Here is my air testing results for the the F5 with the 11" coil.

Ron in WV

 

[dfmike]

Congrats on your purchase CJM. In the tips and tricks bible, Mike Hillis writes about the differences between version 6.1 and 6.3 Nothing to worry about whatever version you have.

I don't use notch either or if I use it, it's just to take out the iron category. I can also use discrimination set at 15 for that. Notching can come in handy at times. For example, some people might want to hunt for coins only therefore notching everything lower than the dime category but they could also choose not to notch the nickel category to find nickels or possible gold rings (although gold rings can be found in other categories).

 

[C.J.M.]

Thank you guys for the feedback

 

[RLOH]

cjm, All very good advice from the F5 guys. I just looked at Ron's air test results and they confirmed my deepest "in ground" settings. Many people like the 10 inch stock coil, but in my three bar soil, the 11 inch dd has a decided edge in depth. I have found the "sweep and lift" method will give a better way to tell bottle caps. If the numbers start decreasing as you sweep and lift, they are caps most all of the time. Experienced F5 people talk of the faint whine of a coin at depth. You have to be aware of this tell tale indicator if you want deep coins. The best way to experience a deep coin is with a test bed. My F5 hits every target in my test bed, but without headphones, the 8 inch deep coins can be missed. I prefer three tones. I have thought of selling my F5 and trying one of the new detectors, but I have had too much success to do that.

 

[Skwerly]

1. Not sure what the difference is between 6.1 and 6.3 versions, probably have to call 1st Texas on that one.
2. Starting in all metal wouldn't be the easiest way to start, it would be the hardest because you will be receiving a lot more information from that mode than any other mode.
3.Sens at 15 is ok for swallow hunting, like down to 3 to 4 inches. This may be what you want if you don't want to do a lot of digging. Set it higher for deeper targets like 6 to 8 inches. 85 is my deepest setting.
4. Tones, I like three tone best and I've tried them all.
5. Thres setting zero isn't to bad but I like +2
6.notching? 1st off it won't remember your last setting. As you turn the disc up it will notch out from lower to higher #s, you'll see above each segment as you turn the disc up a cursor will appear above each segment (iron,tabs,nickels,zinc). This means the detector will not pick up this type of metal. The way I set up is turn the disc all the way up to 65 and then go back and notch in each segments I want to pick up. Since I like hunting silver most of the time I don't notch anything but that's just me. Notching will take some practice, it's the most complicated part of the learning curve.

Good stuff, and how I run, except I normally put my thresh at around -2 or -3 for a nice quiet ride. Haven't found that it's hurt a thing so far! But I do want to try the +2 bit; I will next time I'm out!

Still, at any rate, those are great numbers to start with and get that F5 hitting good targets.