Just MY Observations (very long)

[Anonymous]

Well, I sit here in the early a.m. and looking out the window sits 2 feet of snow....we have had a "big 'un" here in southern Indiana. So, no detecting for quite awhile it would appear. Just had a couple thoughts I wanted to pass along to others that may be new to detecting. Would like to hear from some of the oldtimers to the hobby, either in agreement or otherwise. I have been using a 1266X for around 3 years and have had good success with it AFTER learning the language. It is VERY noisy as anyone who has used it knows...constant pops and clicks. However, after a time one learns to interput the meaning. Anyway, what I wanted to pass along to some of the newer hobbiest out there was that for a long time while reading these forums, I didn't understand some of the POSTERS language...for the longest time I didn't get the MEANING that the Fisher detectors, CZ's and X series detectors, "LOVING DEEP IRON". When it was mentioned this way in the forums, I couldn't relate to what the MEANING was. But, from MY own experience with the 1266X, I have come to realise that it simply means that the detector "sees" deeper than it is capable of effectively discriminating....one can test this out themselves by "air" testing an undesirable object such as a pulltab. Set disc. to JUST cut out the tab and while waving it under coil, slowly pull the tab further and further away (simulating the target at a greater depth in the ground). The further away the tab is from the coil, the better its responds to being a desirable target. Also, recently I bought an EXCEL and have been happy with the LIMITED time I have been able to get out with it. It seems to be better at "separating" good targets from bad. MY take on it is that the disc. is more accurate in part to the fact that it DOES disc. near as deep as it does detect a target, in part I feel, to the fact it doesn't get quite the depth as some other Fisher's...which can be a good thing...Also i read many times in the forums that a good signal may be found in one direction, but a mixed or lower signal in the other directional swing. I used to ignore these targets because advise given me most of the time was it will most likely be junk. It was only AFTER starting to dig these instances that I have found my best things. This year, my 3rd in detecting, I have taken what I have learned and by FAR have my most productive season, even tho I have had far less time in the field due to work and home obligations......It only stands to reason that if you have a coin laying in close range to a junk target, especially one harder to disc. out, and swinging one way, you only go over the coin and it sounds good, then swinging 90 degrees over it and you are now swinging over the coin along with the junk target, then you will get a less than desirable response from the detector. so, enough rambling from a guy with only my limited experience....would like to hear some thoughts from you oldtimers....also you "newbies" don't be afraid to ask what someone means when they use an expression or detectorist term you don't understand....don't be like me and wait till you are 3 years into this great hobby to start finding the good stuff.....Whiskers

 

[Anonymous]

Good points all, though I don't have any experience with the Excel or the 1266X. As for the CZ's, the "loving of deep iron" I take to refer to the propensity of these machines to give a Hi-coin false on rusty nails. But as Dan and others have pointed out, experience with these machines will have the operator accurately differentiating these "fools gold" signals from the real deal MOST of the time. And you can argue with the raw depth on the good targets, so I guess it's a trade-off.
One thing that I have found to be a big help to me is that I have for some time now NOT been notching out iron. I used to always notch out iron, but I've come to the conclusion that it is far better to hear it. That way when you have a good target located in close proximity to a rusty nail or other iron trash you are more likey to be able to discern them. Many have said that a deep coin or other good target will "downshift" to iron. I don't doubt this but most of my attempts to verify it have failed and turned up iron. I think it's important to attack any target from multiple angles and with a careful sweep before making a final determiniation. And of course to those that dig EVERYTHING always go the best spoils. Lotta digging though!
<STRONG><FONT COLOR="#ff0000">Happy hunting a a Merry Christmas to all!</FONT></STRONG>
<STRONG>(Or whatever else floats your particular boat)</STRONG> <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">

 

[Anonymous]

I used to always notch out iron, but I've come to the conclusion that it is far better to hear it. That way when you have a good target located in close proximity to a rusty nail or other iron trash you are more likey to be able to discern them.
>>> Good idea. see my response to the other post.
DAvid

 

[Anonymous]

It only stands to reason that if you have a coin laying in close range to a junk target, especially one harder to disc. out, and swinging one way, you only go over the coin and it sounds good, then swinging 90 degrees over it and you are now swinging over the coin along with the junk target, then you will get a less than desirable response from the detector.
>>> I always test any new detector's ability to overcome target masking, as this is, IMHO, <span style="background-color:#ffff00;">THE most important feature.</span> I suggest you do the same. Any $100 detector can find an individual target - but put it in proximity to others and it's a crap shoot!. Especially if there are ferrous targets around. Depth has no relevence in that case, as you can't see a good target at any depth if your vision is masked.
Try this test of your favorite detector.
a. Place an iron cut nail on a piece of paper on clean, metal free ground, cement floor, etc. (By the way, most un-reinforced cement floors will balance slightly NEGATIVE. This taxes your detectors GB functions in the process.)
b. Mark off 1" gradations on the paper, leading away from the nail.
c. Place a good target ( I use dimes and nickles )at increasing/decreasing distances from the nail.
d. Test the @%&* out of it! Swing at it from both directions, try finessing it back and forth.Learn where on your coil all this occurs - "the sweet spot".
e. Have someone place the target on one of the gradations and then cover both with a piece of paper. NOW, try and determine where the good target is!
f. Place 2X4 blocks on all sides of the target pair. Keep stacking the blocks upwards to simulate targets at increasing depths and continue the testing.
g. Do all this with other common junk targets, if needs be.
h. Record your results and make observations.
i. Take the results - both in your mind and on paper - with you next time you go afield.
It's a lot of work just for some silly hobby, right?
Do me a favor, OK? Keep thinking like that...AND tell me where you go hunting so I can come after you!
KEB
DAVID
Aiken, SC

 

[Anonymous]

It's a lot of work just for some silly hobby, right?
Do me a favor, OK? Keep thinking like that...AND tell me where you go hunting so I can come after you!
KEB
Where did that come from?.....did I somehow lead you to believe I thought this was a SILLY hobby?...Whiskers

 

[Anonymous]

NO,NO,NO, take it easy. That's the one problem with this form of communication - it's easy to be mis-construed. I was making a friendly joke...
When I have suggested it before, there are some people who have actually said, "Awwww, all that testing is too much trouble. I wanna go out and FIND something right now..."
Obviously, at that point there is really little more you can say, as their impatience overwhelms them. So I normally don't try to preach to them, but rather reply in the joking manner I did.
I didn't mean to offend you in any way.
Sometimes I forget that not everyone reads between the lines, the way I do. I have been emailing/forum-ing for a long time, and sort of take it for granted.
I guess I have a thicker skin. I should be more mindful that some folks don't readily do these things and are a bit more sensitive. My apologies, sir. <img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">
Sincerely,
David

 

[Anonymous]

Very good post Whiskers, The only thing I would add is AFTER learning the language is a big key. Way to many people buy and sell detectors before learning it. They don't know if its a good detector or not, or if they like it, or because they don't give it a chance. It took me almost 8 months to get good with my 1236x2 (notice I said good I'm NOT a PRO) you have to learn what its trying to tell you. Time and more time on your detector you will learn to pick good targets out of the trash, and yes you will dig alot of trash.
Merry Christmas
<img src="/metal/html/smile.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt="">
Johnny

 

[Anonymous]

Lighten up on David, he is a good man, and takes this hobby seriously as a lot of us do. Take a look at some of his posts on the Garrett forum as he tests the GTP 1350. From what I read, he puts his detectors through some pretty tough tests, so I don't think he takes this hobby as "silly", but was mearly making a light joke.
Other then that, I enjoyed your first post WHISKERS. I am a lot newer to this great hobby then you. Only been detecting for around 3 months now or so. So, I got some useful information from your post. Thank sir, and HH all!

 

[Anonymous]

It is I who should apologize, sir.....guess the skin is thin from all this cold weather we are having here....I simply thought you had misunderstood something in my 1st message....I was in no way implying anything more than my personal experience so far in this wonderful hobby.....and YES I am SURE you and 95% of the others on this post would LOVE to follow me around....lol.....I certainly am in the early stages of learning.....heck I even love to follow me around!......seems I always find things in the very same places I detected earlier...ha......thanks for the follow up and looking forward to more of yours and everyone elses post.....Whiskers

 

[Anonymous]

Thought I had cleaned out a small school yard like 27 dollars. Went back and hit it for 10 more. After a very hard rain, the ground likes to give up some of its still hidden treasures. HH Bud

 

[Anonymous]

ground mineralization dilemma? It doesn't make any difference if you are using an Explorer, MXT or a CZ at a site. The deeper you go the more ground iron mineralization your detector reads. I was led to believe this is the reason why good targets read toward the iron end with depth. This is why "iffy" signals with depth are always dug.
Correct me if I am mistaken on this
George

 

[Anonymous]

......... on the science, but your logic is commendable. In the past when other detectorists have pointed out the downward shift toward lower conductivity (ie; in the direction of Iron) with a CZ, I always pointed out that their detectors simply lose the target when beyond the correct ID range while the deep-seeking CZs simply downshift and give you some indication that a target is there.
Simply stated, I find your explanation credible.
Chet