NEL Sharpshooter 5.5x9.5 DD coil for the F70

[dbax]

Received the new NEL 5.5x9.5 DD with coil cover and extra mount bolt. I had to insert a rubber washer, 1/8" thickness to mount as I could not screw the bold down enough to keep the coil from flopping about.
The quality of the coil appears to be top of the line. The quick air testing I did indicates it is very similar to the 11" DD. This coil is about 2/.3 the size of the 11" DD, it is the narrow foot print I am after, like the width of a 5" DD sniper coil but with greater depth. The ID on the VID appears to be the same as the 11"DD, the dime rocks 68-74, quarter is pretty firm at 81-84 and the penny 58-68. The copper penny reads like a dime most of the time, while the clad bounces in and out the 50 and 60 ranges. Ordered this coil and got it in three days, really quick. I will be heading out tomorrow for a field test. I have some brushy fence lines to search. If this coil works out I will be putting one on my F2, my wife inherited this F2 when I got the F70. Why the interest in this fence line? See pic. I found this with the 11DD by holding it at an angle to get in tight to the post but losing 3 or 4" doing this, but it did produce what you see below. Because of the odd angel and the signal barely able to reach it, the sound was weak, and bouncing in and out of the Bottle cap range (68 the 81 then 90) I actually though I was digging another bottle cap. Put it on the floor and read it and it is 8"+ solid 91. The sound does not tell me it is a Half dollar but the reading does, the sound, using 3H tone, is like a quarter. Now, looking forward to a field run with the NEL Sharpshooter

 

[dbax]

Took the NEL Sharpshooter out for a test run this morning. I managed to locate 6 quarters,6 dimes, 5 nickels and 9 coppers, one 1925 wheat, a large dollar size Ten Commandments token. The Nel Sharpshooter did not seem to have any more depth than the 11"DD, which would make sense as it is a smaller coil. It was very responsive and I found I could move it quickly and locking on to a target was easy, very sharp signal. It seems a little tighter than the 11DD in pinpointing target but the 11DD is so good at pinpointing this is a small point as both are really good at isolating the target. What I was impressed with was the maneuverability. I was poking this coil in and out of bushes and long grass fence post lines with out a second thought. The area I hunted has been hit many times and after digging up a lot of trash to verify the VID reading with this coil, about the first hour of more I then got busy looking for the good stuff so most of what I found was in the last half of the hunt. The coil was as steady in its ID as the 11" DD. Except for one quarter, that gave an odd reading at about 4" (5" counting grass cut) -- I think it must have been turned up on edge, I had my tool right on it so I did not see which way it was facing but I was surprised it was a quarter. I did not find it to be superior to the 11" DD but, like I said, it is so maneuverable and has the feeling of being much lighter, but according to my scale it is only 1.5 oz lighter than the 11 DD, but, of course, I left the coil cover on the NEL, maybe another couple of oz. lighter without the cover. I think it would serve as a really good back up for the 11 DD especially when you search areas that are brushy, trees, and tight fits. I really like the coil and found no problems with it -- but for one thing -- the 11"DD fits snug to the end of my stick, the Nel is really loose and for fear of breaking something trying to make it tight on the shaft I found a rubber, hard foam (?) washer in my tool kit and slide that on and it snugged right up. Oh, yeah, my deepest target was a ringed pull tab at 6" and one of the nickels at that same depth. I also uncovered three of the mangiest, corroded pennies I had ever dug up, not sure how the 11 DD would have read these, but the NEL said penny all three around fence posts, different fence post, and the 1925 wheat was found around one of these fence post too, all about 4" down. No, silver -- shucks

 

[ez4sure]

thanks for the info did you notice and difference with emi and chatter hh

 

[dbax]

ez4sure, Where I hunt there is a lot of electrical, open air and underground. Homes near by, etc. No chatter whatsoever, none, zip, zero. The setting I use on the 11" DD I used on the Sharpshooter -- Disc 15 and 4 -- Sens 60 to 80 (mostly at 60 and still get targets at good depths, down to 9") de, Thes -2 and tone set on 3H sometimes 3. So far, for the year 2013 I have found 28 rings one gold, one titanium 6 aluminum kid rings and the other 21 silver. This year 2014, one gold ring with three diamond and four more silver rings. The deepest was the gold with diamonds, I almost did not dig it because it sounded off, not real solid but it was down about 8", 4" of leaves and trash and 4" more in solid dirt, back in some bushes. There are some area hard to get at with the 11"DD coil, it works great and I love it but just felt I need something to poke around in place like where I found that ring. Another time I found a silver half, capping off 2013, Dec 24, find up close to a fence post and again I though it was something else, I just could not get the coil on it but by tipping it at a 45 angle I got this on again off again signal and when I dug it I really thought I was going to turn up a bottle cap. I kept wishing I had a smaller coil with some juice to poke around with, but I was waiting for the on again, off again release of the Fisher 5x10DD for the F70 -- I am happy with this Sharpshooter and just love how easy it is to handle and it covers the ground pretty fast too, and is every bit as good at pinpoint the target as the 11'DD, maybe even a little tighter -- I did not dig one hole today larger than 3" across and still pulled up a nickel at 6", and a pull-tab ring a little deeper than that. I have a couple of more areas that have been heavily hunted and some interesting obstacle to overcome, yet to hunt with this little coil -- so far I am pleased with it. Peace, Dan

 

[shadowulf]

.... I did not find it to be superior to the 11" DD but, like I said, it is so maneuverable and has the feeling of being much lighter, but according to my scale it is only 1.5 oz lighter than the 11 DD, but, of course, I left the coil cover on the NEL, maybe another couple of oz. lighter without the cover. I think it would serve as a really good back up for the 11 DD especially when you search areas that are brushy, trees, and tight fits. I really like the coil and found no problems with it -- but for one thing -- the 11"DD fits snug to the end of my stick, the Nel is really loose and for fear of breaking something trying to make it tight on the shaft I found a rubber, hard foam (?) washer in my tool kit and slide that on and it snugged right up...

I saw somewhere that Fisher has a coil parts kit. Basically the nut, bolt, and a few rubber washers to mount a coil.
Also, you might spray some silicone spray on to those rubber washers to keep them happy & flexy. I like my coil to be mounted firmly, but able to move to match terrain. Or when I smack a root while swinging.

 

[dbax]

Thanks for the tip shadowulf -- The soft rubber washer I found in my tool kit is a bit large but working really good, when I move the coil it stays put, not too restrictive and stays in place, not sure how long this piece of foam rubber will last so I may need to follow your tip later. I can see the advantage of the closed coil, this coil seem less prone to getting hung up in vines and stick as opposed to the 11"DD, most likely because the open spaces are much smaller. Guess it al depends on the kind of off-roadin' you're gonna be doin' -- I went out again today and hit a really trashy area and was able to pick out 3 quarters and 8 dimes. Still uncertain of the max depth, I did find a couple of aluminum caps at about 7" and a can at closer to 9" -- The park I was hunting has been hunted pretty heavy by me and other and the good stuff is getting pretty tough to come by. this coil is running really quiet, if it is making noise it is because there is a target. I did find 5 nickels also and picking these out of some really trashy ground with cap, tab, foil, etc. Remember, everything I found was buried and passed over by other hunters, I focused on the well traveled and hunted areas to give this new coil a chance to show its stuff. My confidence level I pushing 10, out of 10 -- still not sure about max depth on rings or coin. Most of the coins were at 3-5" -- If, however, I am looking to find those deep silvers, if they are there, I would go with a bigger coil, but I am confident this little guy will find anything within the 8" range unless it is a larger target -- I had a couple of deep cans and an old sprinkler head sound off like quarter down around the 8"range, maybe a little deeper. My dig blade is 7" and I was down all the way with the hilt just past ground level so if you add surface grass, another 1" or more, being conservative -- plus I did not dig these targets out once I could tell it was a can so if you count the dig hole, if target is removed then we would be talking about an additional inch. I will be using my tried and true Fisher 11"DD coil for the open ground but that coil even has proven itself in trash sites. So the Sharpshooter will be my go to coil for fence lines. Also, one last thing I notice and a plus -- I could get pretty close to metal fencing with the 11" DD but this little guy will go right up to chain link and other metal just short of touching with out a whimper, that is something I did not expect, love it. I am sure, that as well as the 11" DD works that the 5.10 DD Fisher will eventually release will be every bit as good. I'm thinking they are delaying because they may have ran into a problem and don't want to release and inferior product, that's my guess and knowing how attentive Fisher is to the customer and their product that would be my guess. Nothing is for sure, of course, just look at what is happening in the Ukraine, a real mess over there and these NEL coils come from the Ukraine. If you can wait, and not so impatient as myself then I would wait for the Fisher 5x10 DD -- buy USA is one reason I bought the F70 -- I know, I wimped out but you see (my excuse) there was this area and it was a battle trying to get where I wanted to get and I was afraid someone other knuckle head would get there before me -- so, what did I find? I found that silver half dollar I posted earlier, with the 11"DD and revisiting the area I found a 1925 wheatie right up against the fence post, not silver however. I know, I know, my posts are way too long, hope my jabberin' is of some help or of interest to others that have encouraged me and made this a fun thing to do. Peace, Dan

 

[mudpuppy]

Nice report, and beautiful hunting! Yep, if a guy can get up tight to the chain link, or any metal on the totlots theres all sorts of stuff missed by the previous hunters that could not. Good Job Dbax!
Mud

 

[dbax]

NICE HUNT __ NICE HUNT ?? Opps, sorry, and yes, I know, I am spoiled -- While I was able to hug the chain link it produced nothing. Please, Mud, I should be to you, after all between you and Reviere (SP) getting me on the right track I would not have collected -- I forgot -- and no, there is not commission. Oh, alright, I will send you all of my corroded zinc pennies -- ah, what's yer address? going out again tomorrow -- things had better pick up (after only one bad hunt) or I'm gonna get a dog and go for long walks.

 

[mudpuppy]

No Commission? Well, buy me a beer someday and we will call it even, I got plenty of rotten zincs! Good Luck Today!
Mud

 

[dbax]

Whew, thanks, Mud, for a moment there I thought I might have to send you 50# of clad pennies. I have about 5# of copper and 2# of Wheaties, in my stash, I be keeping those.

Went out for a short hunt (2hours) wish a buddy, to a secret place we have thoroughly hunted. I took the Sharpshooter on a tour and came up with 7 quarters, 18 dimes, 24 pennies (5 where copper) and 5 nickels, a couple of interesting bobbles -- I'm liking the Sharpshooter but not fooling myself into thinking it is as deep or deep than the 11" DD, but boy is it easy to swing and handle around objects. Now I am traveling with both coils, I hooked the 11" to my belt, for when I head across big open areas. Cut the hunt short, my buddy had to get back. I am pleased enough with this NEL Sharpshooter that I will be ordering another for my F2, a coil my wife uses, I think she will really appreciated the ease in handling this coil. I did dig a pull tab, of the square variety 5" down and a bottle cap at 7", so I don't think it is too far off in depth but have not found any coins at those depths -- I dime, once, so I know it will get down there, but I think the 9" + depths are out of the question, unless it is a can, or pipe. Point of interest: There is a water pipe running about 100' at one end of the area and the 11"DD reads it and you can follow the pipe right along, when I took the Sharpshooter to this line it would read it but not consistently nor as sharp a signal as the 11"DD. Beer sounds good Mud, if I can find enough for a plane ticket?? Peace, brother

 

[Cheryl]

If you don't mind me jumping in here would you think these nel coils would perform better on saltwater beaches?.

 

[shadowulf]

Point of interest: There is a water pipe running about 100' at one end of the area and the 11"DD reads it and you can follow the pipe right along, when I took the Sharpshooter to this line it would read it but not consistently nor as sharp a signal as the 11"DD.

I think that's what the NEL Hunter is better suited for.

 

[dbax]

Ha, ha, good on, Mud

Went out again this morning to a very, very trashy area and one that has been hunted a lot. Doesn't matter what coil you have, all those pull tabs can drive you crazy, unless you are collecting them, but I did manage to save 3 quarters, 12 dime, 5 nickel, 12 coppers, 11 zinc, and one nice little silver ring down about 3". Deepest target was a piece of a pop can down 7". I finally got tired of digging square type pull tabs posing as nickels. Did not find any pipe -- I did get this coil to press into some tight spots between some small trees and came up with a wheat, 1956 s -- Has anyone managed to buy one of the Fisher 5x10 DD yet? Heard anything?