Long time no post!...ACE250 keeps of keeping on

[Danimal]

It's been a while since I posted, but I have been lurking, and I HAVE been digging. Man, my ACE looks like a battered beat up piece of crap now. Face plate scratched from wiping mud away, bottom of coil chipped everywhere from banging rocks (LOVE hunting rocky areas on local rivers and streams where people wade), but the sucker keeps on going strong. It's earlier problem with not re-starting seems to have gone away. Also, it REALLY seems to like running on a FULL 6volts from 4 alkalines, rather than the 4.6 volts from 4-niMh rechargeables. I KNOW that it still works fine on the 4.6V, but it really does seem "punchier" with the full 6V.
Since my last post I have found:
-many more rings, including several gold wedding bands...making over 21 nice rings since Jan when I started this crazy hobby
-1905 V nickle
-5 Buffs, assorted dates
-5 Mercs
-3 silver Rosies
-3 silver Washingtons
-1903 Barber dime
-undated SLQ, worn like a baby's butt, but still a SLQ!!
-half a dozen old military buttons
-over $250.00 in clad

Lately, I have been hunting with the ACE250 in a new way, and I think it's not only faster, but far more productive. I hunt fully in pinpoint mode (the only way the ACE is TRUE all metal)
In pinpoint, as you sweep, you FAR more easily pick up faint signals, and can quickly bring the coil to bear on the center of the target. THEN I release pinpoint and try to get a depth and ID. Quite often, the ID is iffy, but I can still tell the relative size of the object easily in pinpoint and determine (with MENTAL ID...lol) whether to dig. FAR more wheaties and some of my deeper coins (the SLQ was nearly 10" and on edge!)
What I am thinking of doing is replacing the cheap mash-button of the pinpoint with a quality toggle near my thumb that can be easily switched off to ID. I am certain the stock pinpoint button won't last much longer at the rate I am holding it depressed.
I am still amazed at the abilities of this inexpensive machine!!
If I can replace my digital camera, I'll get some recent pics up (camera took a spill into a river while bending down to retrieve a coin!)
Take care all!
Dan

 

[John-Edmonton]

You sure did good on the coins.

 

[Uncle Willy]

You've done good bud. Can't wait to see the pics. Do you have a scanner?

Bill

 

[Dang]

Don't you loose depth just using the pin point mode?

 

[NM5K]

Sounds like you've been at it. Yep, I too also run only
alki's.. But your's is the first report I've heard that the
extra voltage actually makes a difference. I was almost sure
it probably would, but never got around to testing. I've also
tried using the pinpoint mode as the "search" mode. Like you
say, it's true all metal mode.. As far as the depth, I've
never compared. I think some of the early ace machines might
not pinpoint as deep as the ID motion mode, but maybe the "fix"
that the newer boxes have would make it more even. In theory,
if the ID mode picks it up, the PP mode should also.. Note
that on the top of the line 2500, I believe the all metal
mode is it's deepest mode, if I remember right. Some good
finds there. I've been slacking due to work, looking for
real estate, etc...Have done very little tecting lately..
I'm in the process of looking for some land.. Have some I'm
looking at right now up by Rusk, TX... Also some near Lake
Livingston, etc, etc.. The Rusk land is about 3.5 acres and
is 8 lots combined as a package deal.. If I end up buying it,
will give me some private area to play metal detector.
I'd eventually stick some kind of cabin or something in it..
Might even make a small pond, and stick some fish in it...
That was the idea of the current owner before he moved to the
east coast, and decided to sell.. But I'll have to see how it
pans out...
MK

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

It's not surprising that you haven't posted for a while! YOU'VE BEEN TOO BUSY!
Well Done
Mick Evans.

 

[John D.]

You had better purchase a coil cover.

 

[Danimal]

Guys,
It's not extra depth I am looking for by hunting in pinpoint per se, it accurate, quicker target centering. Look at it like this:
In normal sweeping, the target ID we all know works best when the true target is centered under the middle of the "cone"...and the unit ID's better and more accurately (including depth info) when the target is under the center of the cone (on the ACE it's really more of a rounded shape than a true "point") So NORMALLY, as we sweep, we get a "boink", and we then modify our sweep trying to get a repeat "boink" in both sweep directions, and THEN we go to pinpoint to determines where to plug.
My way, we sweep in pinpoint, releasing the pinpoint button occasionally to keep a constant "hum" going. In pinpoint, you can hear (and SEE on the signal strength meter) a signal MUCH MUCH earlier, EVEN IF THE COIL IS NOT EVEN CLOSE to being "centered" over the target. This way, we QUICKLY bring the center (we ALL KNOW where the ACE250's stock coil center is...) to bear directly over the target.
THEN, and ONLY THEN, I release pinpoint, and let depth and target ID do their thing.
Heck...even when walking from one area to another, instead of hoping for a "lucky boink" while walking along with the coil to the soil, I hold pinpoint in, and I can easily hear the HUM start to grow, and EASILY bring the coil to center over the target, release and IDENTIFY.

try this out. it really works....
Again, my only concern now is the life span of that pinpoint button.
I have had THREE pinpoint units (Sherlock and two Whites Bullseyes have their mash buttons fail. Right now, I am using a Sherlock with a Radio Shack toggle soldered in place of the original "compression disk" switch used on IC boards (like the one on the ACE250)
It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN the button will fail.

Dan

 

[Danimal]

too late for that!!