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Low Freq Concentric in Prospecting Mode
- Thread starter firtyfwee
- Start date
Maybe no one has tried the 705 in prospecting mode, with the LF coil, on a salt beach ? Ever think of that ?
Tell you what. I may be heading to the NJ beach tomorrow. If so, I will take my 705 with the LF concentric and test out a few targets in the wet sand in prospecting mode and report back. I am assuming when you state salt beach, you are talking wet sand and not the dry ( or both ?).
Are you interested in low conductive targets ( ie, gold/nickels/pull tabs) or any target ? Are you only interested in depth, or would you like to know what the target ID's at ?
See how this can get complex ? Not only can the 705 be set up to run in different modes with different coils, but the hunting conditions as well as the targets involved, can add to the complexity.
Bottom line is, your question was not that simple to answer.
I would be happy to help, but need a bit more clarification.
Tell you what. I may be heading to the NJ beach tomorrow. If so, I will take my 705 with the LF concentric and test out a few targets in the wet sand in prospecting mode and report back. I am assuming when you state salt beach, you are talking wet sand and not the dry ( or both ?).
Are you interested in low conductive targets ( ie, gold/nickels/pull tabs) or any target ? Are you only interested in depth, or would you like to know what the target ID's at ?
See how this can get complex ? Not only can the 705 be set up to run in different modes with different coils, but the hunting conditions as well as the targets involved, can add to the complexity.
Bottom line is, your question was not that simple to answer.
I would be happy to help, but need a bit more clarification.
Thanks for responding therover. I was hoping someone that was near salt would answer. I'll be interested in whatever information you can provide too.
All I could have said would be just assumption/speculation, since I'm over 1000mi from any salt beach.
All I could have said would be just assumption/speculation, since I'm over 1000mi from any salt beach.
Old Longhair,
At this point, based on my limited use of the 705 ( only had it a few months), I have taken it to the beach twice. Both times I had the 3kHz Minelab coil in it. Being that here in NJ, after Sandy, most of the goodies have been up in in the dry, I have not used it in the wet sand.
First time out I was basically using it in pattern 1, with sensitivity in the mid range. Found lots of clad in a bunch of trashy spots loaded with nails, aluminum, etc. Worked very well and I was pleased. My main goal was to learn the unit and take it to a spot where I knew clad would be. Wasn't looking for any older coins.
Second time out, I had gotten and read Randys e-book. Helped a lot, and got me to try all metal. Raised the sensitivity up a bit. 705 again worked very well in the dry, and found me a really nice merc dime, V nickel and a few wheaties. Different beach though, and a beach where I knew older coins would be. So again I was very pleased with how the 705 can hunt the dry sand.
Both times I ground balanced in normal mode. Did not use the beach option.
Tomorrow, if I get the chance to go, I will venture into the wet and try out the Prospecting mode. Will probably have to bring a few test targets like a nail, pull tab, nickel, dime, penny etc. since I still doubt there are targets down in the mush. Sand has been really mushy in the wet areas....but I hope to find some hard spots and potential target sites. Will definitely hunt the dry though and spend most of my time there.
All in all I can say at this point the 705 is a really great all around unit, as I have used it in a few dirt hunting spots too. I have found that a moderate swing speed ( in between a Sov and Whites XL-Pro sweep speed) works best for me in the areas I hunted. I have found although it has a fairly quick recovery speed, a fast swing speed is not the best way to hunt. Again, this is what I have found. Since I mainly use a CZ6a for all my beach hunting, I am used to a slower sweep speed and the 705 seems to fit that bill.. at least in all metal mode since I have found some deep targets working a moderate/slower sweep. I do like the fact that the 705 can be set up with different tone options. Major plus.
I have the Coiltek 6 inch Digger coil on order and can't wait to try that out. Will probably end up getting a HF coil too at some point. After that, I will probably sell off a few other units since the 705 can handle lots of different aspects of hunting. I like the Minelab coils though, because they are waterproof. Found out on several other units that although water resistant sounds good, waterproof is BETTER !
Will keep this thread posted as to how the 705 does in prospecting mode with the LF Minelab concentric. Not sure what level of iron mask I will use, but since there aren't many targets ( at least since the last several times I have been at the beached), the level will probably be in the 0-5 range.
Last thing....since the beaches I hunt are not mineralized, I do not use the tracking option.
At this point, based on my limited use of the 705 ( only had it a few months), I have taken it to the beach twice. Both times I had the 3kHz Minelab coil in it. Being that here in NJ, after Sandy, most of the goodies have been up in in the dry, I have not used it in the wet sand.
First time out I was basically using it in pattern 1, with sensitivity in the mid range. Found lots of clad in a bunch of trashy spots loaded with nails, aluminum, etc. Worked very well and I was pleased. My main goal was to learn the unit and take it to a spot where I knew clad would be. Wasn't looking for any older coins.
Second time out, I had gotten and read Randys e-book. Helped a lot, and got me to try all metal. Raised the sensitivity up a bit. 705 again worked very well in the dry, and found me a really nice merc dime, V nickel and a few wheaties. Different beach though, and a beach where I knew older coins would be. So again I was very pleased with how the 705 can hunt the dry sand.
Both times I ground balanced in normal mode. Did not use the beach option.
Tomorrow, if I get the chance to go, I will venture into the wet and try out the Prospecting mode. Will probably have to bring a few test targets like a nail, pull tab, nickel, dime, penny etc. since I still doubt there are targets down in the mush. Sand has been really mushy in the wet areas....but I hope to find some hard spots and potential target sites. Will definitely hunt the dry though and spend most of my time there.
All in all I can say at this point the 705 is a really great all around unit, as I have used it in a few dirt hunting spots too. I have found that a moderate swing speed ( in between a Sov and Whites XL-Pro sweep speed) works best for me in the areas I hunted. I have found although it has a fairly quick recovery speed, a fast swing speed is not the best way to hunt. Again, this is what I have found. Since I mainly use a CZ6a for all my beach hunting, I am used to a slower sweep speed and the 705 seems to fit that bill.. at least in all metal mode since I have found some deep targets working a moderate/slower sweep. I do like the fact that the 705 can be set up with different tone options. Major plus.
I have the Coiltek 6 inch Digger coil on order and can't wait to try that out. Will probably end up getting a HF coil too at some point. After that, I will probably sell off a few other units since the 705 can handle lots of different aspects of hunting. I like the Minelab coils though, because they are waterproof. Found out on several other units that although water resistant sounds good, waterproof is BETTER !
Will keep this thread posted as to how the 705 does in prospecting mode with the LF Minelab concentric. Not sure what level of iron mask I will use, but since there aren't many targets ( at least since the last several times I have been at the beached), the level will probably be in the 0-5 range.
Last thing....since the beaches I hunt are not mineralized, I do not use the tracking option.
Good info.
I am suprized that you're using the LF at the beach. It's not known for responding to gold as well as a higher frequency. But hey! If it works...it's hard to argue with success.
And just so you know, the Beach mode is primarily a dramatic lowering of the GB coupled with the Tracking. If the salt isn't limiting your depth, and you're successful running it fixed, who am I to say different? It's not how I'd be inclined to run going in as blind as I'd be, but that's what makes your input good to know.
The more I learn about the Xterra, the more that I find I have to expand my thinking. It really is a brilliant piece of work, and I'll always have one.
I am suprized that you're using the LF at the beach. It's not known for responding to gold as well as a higher frequency. But hey! If it works...it's hard to argue with success.
And just so you know, the Beach mode is primarily a dramatic lowering of the GB coupled with the Tracking. If the salt isn't limiting your depth, and you're successful running it fixed, who am I to say different? It's not how I'd be inclined to run going in as blind as I'd be, but that's what makes your input good to know.
The more I learn about the Xterra, the more that I find I have to expand my thinking. It really is a brilliant piece of work, and I'll always have one.
The reason I am using the LF coil at this time is I am going after older coins. I know beach hunting is primarily a hunt for gold, but there are spots on some of these beaches now that Sandy has taken it's toll, that are giving up older silver coins, but it's among iron and lots of aluminum trash. Trying to pick out a gold goodie is a harder task in that environment, and since the LF can handle the iron and small bits of foil bette in the sense that it's not as sensitive, I was inclined the use it over the 7.5. I only have the 7.5 concentric for another coil, so until I get a HF and try to pick off some gold, I am happy to pick off some silver and all the clad.
As far as the GB goes, I basically just ground balanced using all metal and auto. I cannot remember the number the 705 got when it completed the gb procedure in the dry sand, but will make a note of it and let you know. I think ground balancing using beach mode in the wet is probably a better option, but like I said before, I did not venture into the wet sand to hunt much due to there not being many targets. Will check some things out tomorrow and report back. Will bury some nickels and pull tabs in the wet and see what differences the regular vs beach mode ground balancing will do.
Thanks for the info on the beach mode.
As far as the GB goes, I basically just ground balanced using all metal and auto. I cannot remember the number the 705 got when it completed the gb procedure in the dry sand, but will make a note of it and let you know. I think ground balancing using beach mode in the wet is probably a better option, but like I said before, I did not venture into the wet sand to hunt much due to there not being many targets. Will check some things out tomorrow and report back. Will bury some nickels and pull tabs in the wet and see what differences the regular vs beach mode ground balancing will do.
Thanks for the info on the beach mode.
7centsworth
Well-known member
I did not see you give him any information either. Anybody could have posted a post like yours but that did not do anyone any good.firtyfwee said:
7centsworth
Well-known member
Did not realize you were postng to yourself. But not many people have tried it that is why you did not get any advice. I visit alot of forums but this is the one I come to numerous times a day. The others I visit about once a month no kidding.
The answer to your questions are dependent on many factors. Without specific information, any "anwers" may or not reflect what is best for you and your sites. e.g.....If your beach is highly mineralized, I'd suggest you will get better performance from a DD coil. If you are hunting for jewelry and coins, I'd suggest a HF coil, opposed to the LF coil. And as far as depth.....that depends on the size of the target. I've dug pop-cans on the beaches in TX at depths of more than 18-inches when using the MF All Terrain coil.
As to your comments regarding other people's opinions of this forum......... Those of us who help Moderate, we don't make the rules. We just try to keep things running smoothly, and make an effort to help others better understand their detectors. As to those who talk smack about this forum.......... they may be big talkers. But just like you, they come here for tips on how to get the most out of their X-TERRAs. HH Randy
As to your comments regarding other people's opinions of this forum......... Those of us who help Moderate, we don't make the rules. We just try to keep things running smoothly, and make an effort to help others better understand their detectors. As to those who talk smack about this forum.......... they may be big talkers. But just like you, they come here for tips on how to get the most out of their X-TERRAs. HH Randy