you were spot on. The control settings might need to be a little different, the ground conditions can be different, and even the Target ID and VDI readings can be different (due to ground mineral influence). Personally, I very seldom rely on the TID of any make or model detector, as long as it has a good VDI (Visual Discrimination Indicator or numeric target read-out) because I find the VDI response to be far more informative.
With the T2, or any model that features a form of Ground Balance, I make sure I do so at the start of any hunt. I'll usually rely on the very accurate and speedy Fast Grab automated GB. At times I will manually set the GB, depending upon the conditions and my personal desires at a site.
I always run the Sensitivity level as high as I can yet have it remain relatively stable. I don't mind hunting "at the fringe" where it might be just slight sputtery, but I don't always set it that way. Just as high as I can, then back it down, slowly, just to the point of stability should it be too noisy when set too high.
I like a Threshold level, or Hum Level on the T2, that is just a comfortable slight-audio when using my headphones. The default setting of +1 is usually just fine, but might be a bit high at times so I have it at '0' or some point close to the '0' to in the '+1' range. (Note that there are small steps between each whole number when adjusting this feature which might allow some fine-tune the setting. On my T2, gently moving the control through the clicks, I have 5 clicks between most numbers, and 6 clicks to get through the '0' settings, and '-3' and '+5'.)
I base my Discrimination setting on the type of site I am hunting. Note that the default setting is '10' and if you have a higher Sensitivity setting at that point, you might get some audio noise if you reduce it to '0'. However, when I am away from EMI sources, and I want to deal with a lot of nasty black sand or small, very mineralized rocks, I run it at '0'.so I can better detecting through/handle the bad ground.
If just doing some general hunting I'll have it set from '0' to '10' as I prefer to hear the Iron targets that are there and that way I can search around the junk. When the iron nail count is too annoying at a site then I might use just enough Discrimination to knock them out. That is usually about '21'. I rely on the audio response more than the Disc. level setting.
Audio Tone ID is another very personal pick. I like the White's XLT's broad-range of Tone ID, and that's usually using a concentric coil so the expansive range of audio tones sounds good, and also because it averages the multiple sweeps. On the T2 I do not like the 'dp' (Delta Pitch) audio as it doesn't average and can sound too radical, at least to me. I also do not like the '3b' function because there are better ways to deal with bottle caps. Sometimes I might pick the '3' or '4' Tone Audio ID, but that's mainly when I just want a little change in what I'm hearing for a while.
Most of the time I hunt with the '2+' Audio Tone ID because I prefer the slightly deeper audio response, more target information, and the dual-tone audio breaks down the lower bass-like Iron Tone from the higher non-ferrous target responses. If a site has little iron present and/or I just want it all with a single-tone audio, I opt for the default '1' or pick '1+'. It's all a personal thing, but usually I hunt at '2+' Audio Tone ID.
The final thing to consider, as everyone will learn, is that each make and model will have it's own sweep speed requirement, as well as limitations. Sometimes you need a slower, more controlled sweep when hunting in dense trash, brushy environments, or in challenging ground conditions. And let's not forget the choice to swap from the 11" BiAxial coil to the round 5" DD coil when hitting confined sites, dense trash, or working close to metal objects.
The T2 is a very good detector so just take the time and have the patience to master it.
Monte
