IDing with a Pulse

[Anonymous]

I was reading a THing book. In there he says you need to know your machine very well in order to excell in the sport. He said that old timers could tell you the difference between different manufactures beer cans before they dug. Even hearing the slight difference that one brand of a cigarette pack makes over another could be determined too. This is of course with a VLF. I remember that while I owned the Barracuda one fella (Clyde) claimed to tell the difference between a coin size iron object and a US coin with his Cuda. My question is, what have you personally experienced or have been told by someone else that could be accomplished with a PI? Can size, depth or composition be distinguished as one becomes more experienced?

 

[Anonymous]

The skills to which you refer are best exercised with a concentric or double-D loop, rather than a mono, because their pattern is narrower and more complex. The skills can be learned on both PI and VLF. If you change searchcoil size or type, or change the model, it'll often become necessary to learn over again.
These skills depend on learning subtle distinctions in sound patterns. In general, you'll get best results with VLF rather than pulse, and VCO audio rather than constant-pitch.
Takes a lot of practice. Reading the owner's manual and then practicing in a test garden for 5 minutes isn't gonna cut it unless you're unusually talented.