How long should someone search for everything??:confused:

[Roscue2]

I have had my Garrett Ace 250 for about a year and 2 months. When I first got my Ace I read the manual and watched the video before I went out for the fist time. As I recall from reading the manual, it said that I should search in All-Metal mode for at least 100 hr. Unfortunately, I am young and can sometimes quickly get bored. So, after about 3 trips I decided to switch the Ace over to coin mode. I've never gone back to All-Metal mode.

My question is should I have stayed in All-Metal mode for a longer period of time, or did I make the right decision in switching to Coin mode. I'm not really into relics or anything that has an old age unless it is a coin. I mostly hunt for coins and rings. The reason I ask this question is because after reading a few articles in the forum I realized that a lot of people still find many trash objects,such as pull-tabs, even though they have a lot more experience than me. I hardly ever find any trash objects unless the detector gives a really good signal that it is a coin.My dad always ends up with more trash than me by the end of the day. Not to say that he finds a lot of trash. He usually has less than a dozen trash objects even when he finds $5 or more. Another question I have is whether or not I should be more willing to dig a target on any iffy signal? My usual profits for a couple of hr. of MDing is around $1.50. I would like to improve that amount of money.

 

[John-Edmonton]

I think by switching to coin mode, you got the easy pickings, but probably left a lot of gold rings behind. Just remember....it costs you nothing to dig trash. The best hunters are the ones who dig the most targets both good and bad.

 

[Uncle Willy]

You should have ignored that info and started in coin mode. I don't know whose brain storm that was but it sucks. That's the quickest way I know of to discourage a newbie. Iffy signals often prove to be good ones. Do you do the "twitch" over those iffy signals?

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Forgot to mention - if you ignore all trash signals like pulltab, foil, etc. - you're probably leaving a few gold rings or items behind.

Bill

 

[slingshot]

I agree that the coins mode is a good starter mode. Next, you can probably add the foil notch while still in the coins mode to have a chance at some small rings. Then, it's a choice between jewelry and relics mode. Personally , the relics mode is a killer in tot lots and school yards. You'll notice the foil and "iffy" targets give a quick, pointed response while good or possibly good targets sound wider. Also, there is a lot less target masking, and you still don't have to worry about hairpins, small nails, paper clips, etc. The only time I would use all metal is if I'm in a place where old stuff may be. I found out about the relics mode by accident while experimenting with my Ace after I had listened to the critics talking about response speed and target masking. Unless it's a trashy area-Relic mode rocks.

 

[Roscue2]

Thanks for the help you guys! Next time I go out I'll use your advice and be more open towards iffy signals.

 

[Bugar In. USA]

Lordy,, I been doin that since 1975, only time I don't is when i'm lookin for a certain thing ==like property stake, or somebody's ring in their yard, stuff like that, and even then I get sidetracked, just can't help myself, If it beeps I just gotta dig

 

[cwilk]

I'd switch to jewelry mode. It will get you more junk targets but more rings too. If I had to guess of my 10 best ever finds at least 5 would not have been detected in coin mode. If I don't fell like digging dozens of pop tops I sometimes switch them off but I ALWAYS go back to see what I've missed. In fact, I return to my favorite sites over and over and over and I usually find plenty of keepers. $1.50 for two hours is a little low but that might be your site selection. Keep practicing. Try some new places that might not have been overhunted. When I find a place that has never been hunted I sometimes find 40 coins an hour. You already found that big gold ring which makes you a serious treasure hunter in my book.

Chris

 

[BigCatDaddy]

You know, I thought that statement in the 250 manual was just not right. All of my other Garrett manuals say to start out in the Coins mode and hunt that way for the first 100 hrs. Makes more sense if you are new to detecting, less junk, more loot, more likely to stick with it!! You can always go back over the same area when you get more proficient and use less discrimination!!

 

[Frankd55]

I hav'nt huntin to much ,the first time out I used all metal mode and was happy to just find stuff and get it pinpointed,The second time out I used coinmode with the advice from this forum. I dug some coins and was able to pinpoint very well.We have snow up on the ridges now and lots of rain kinda put the 250 away for awhile.I certainly found the difference between a coin tone and a pull tab tone.Think the next couple times I am going to try notching out foil and go from there.With the ACE 250 there are so many options.I have the 9x12 coil but have not tried it yet,from reading here it sounds like a must this spring.Good hunting to all.

Paul if you read this I have a great place to go this spring,a little travel time but I think it will be worth it.

 

[R-n-R Magnolia SpringsAla]

I did agree that 100 hours on a machine is a fair shake to know all the ins and outs- any machine

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah when I field test one I'll spend 60-80 hours testing it at dozens of different sites.

Bill