Is the depth reading accurate with after market coils?

[Ray Hogan]

n/t

 

[James N.D.]

It will depend with the Size of the Coil being used. Both Smaller and Bigger Coils will have differences with the Depth Meter. It will depend on Angle of Item in the ground, Mineralization, Size of Target, Etc. Minelab has the 10" Coil dialed in with the Depth Meter, and usually the only time it gets off is when there is a Larger Object close to the surface or a Small Object that the Detector shows Deeper than what it actually is. So the Depth Meter will be off no matter if you use an Aftermarket Coil or not. You really won't know until you have an Aftermarket Coil and start using it to know for sure just how your ground will effect the Depth Meter and actual item in the ground and by how much. Hope this helps. Good Luck and HH.

 

[Ray Hogan]

Let's say there is a "flat-planted" quarter five inches in my soil and the factory 10" coil indicates the target at it's correct depth of five inches. Then I switch to the minelab 8" coil. What would or should the depth indicator now show? Now I realize that depth indicators are very "iffy" for the most part, but I'm just trying to decide which type of aftermarket coils I want to start accumulating...both larger and smaller. You read so many different opinions between Sunray and Excellerator, etc. For example, if the Minelab 8 is comparable to the Sunray 8 (and I know their true sizes vary a little), but one coil's depth indicator remains accurate in a perfect scenario, then I would probably buy it. Hope that makes some sense. Do all coils that aren't the factory 10 affect the depth reading? Thanks, Ray.

 

[James N.D.]

when using the 8" Coil from Minelab, If I found a Quarter at 5", it would most likely read Deeper than 5" on the Depth Meter (sometimes as much as 7"-8"). This is somewhat a rare case for a Quarter Size object but it does happen. Dimes and Pennies will also read Deeper than 5" at times. Sometimes the Depth Meter is Dead Accurate too but its something you just have to get use to. What really matters is the amount of Experience and Time you put into the Detector and Different Coils. Then you will have a better idea on just how accurate other Size Coils will effect the Depth Meter in your area and Performance. As far as I know, All Aftermarket Coils can be off by 2" of so, it just depends on the angles, and just how small the items are or big for that matter. I have found DEEP Targets that were WAY DEEPER than what the Depth Meter said they were, but that is because the Bigger the item, the Better the Signal will be. Wish there were in fact Coils that had the ability to have Perfect Depth Readings that were Different Sizes, but I have yet to hear of such a Coil. Now if you want something that goes thru the Trash Areas, then you may want either a 5" Sunray, Excelerator, 6"(the one that Bryce(IL) always uses), or even the 5"X10" Joey Coil (My Favorite). There is so many Coils on the market that you just have to do a little research in Field Tests to get an idea on just how different Coils respond in different areas and how good Seperation and Depth is for each one. Wish I could help out more but maybe someone here will chime in and help out. Hope you find what you are looking for and Good Luck and HH when you get out.

 

[mattockman]

The explorer was designed with the stock coil and calibrated the depth gauge with it....that being the 10.5 coil it comes with. I have been told ( hope I get this right) by Charles UpstateNY.....is ....say there is a target "coin size" at 6 inches......and the 10.5 says 6 inches....then the 8" coil will read 8" and a 6" will read 10" deep......if you go up in coil size, say to 12" coil, then a 6" target will read 4"......and so on.....Charles please jump in if I am screwing this all up.....but there is a adjustment you have to make when changing coil sizes other than the STOCK COIL WHICH IS ONLY THE 10.5"( I have read someone calling the 8" minelab as a stock coil).....The 10.5 is "THE" stock coil and only stock coil.

 

[Ray Hogan]

n/t

 

[Ray Hogan]

n/t

 

[James N.D.]

The Bigger Coils will display the Target as closer than what it really is. Its another reason to be careful when retrieving items so you don't damage them. Thanks for the help Mattockman. Good Luck and HH.