Yes I know auto tune is a mode the F70 uses that is close to what most other brands refer to as all medal. I don't have the F5 but know that pushing the ground balance button is part of the ground grab which is a term uses in auto ground balancing. Someone else will probably chime in to verify this but I think you hold the button in and the pump the coil between 6" and 12" off the ground until the phase numbers change and then let the button go, or something like that. F70 doesnt have manual balance so I don't know for sure. The F5 also has manual ground balancing where you can manually match up your ground phase. Also there are tutorials on you tube relating to the F5 that may be helpful. All said the F5 is a very capable detector and I've wanted one since reading Mikes article in tips and tricks------------HH
Find's Treasure Forums
Welcome to Find's Treasure Forums, Guests!
You are viewing this forums as a guest which limits you to read only status.
Only registered members may post stories, questions, classifieds, reply to other posts, contact other members using built in messaging and use many other features found on these forums.
Why not register and join us today? It's free! (We don't share your email addresses with anyone.) We keep email addresses of our users to protect them and others from bad people posting things they shouldn't.
Click here to register!
Need Support Help?
Cannot log in?, click here to have new password emailed to you
New to me F5
- Thread starter WV62
- Start date
WV62
Well-known member
I am with you on all that you said except automatic ground balancing, never thought that.
But when I first read about ground balancing I did understand that I could use the knob to change the GB number to somewhat match the phase number. Then it said I could also just touch the phase lock pad and change the GB number to match the phase number. Then I read to ground balance just push and hold the phase lock button and pump the coil until the GB number matches the phase number. That is when I made the post that I didn't see a lot of need for the GB knob, the phase lock pad seems to be the main control for ground balancing.
So I am pretty sure I could GB the F5 in the field.
But the pushing in on the GB knob is still a mystery as to what that does??
Ron in WV
But when I first read about ground balancing I did understand that I could use the knob to change the GB number to somewhat match the phase number. Then it said I could also just touch the phase lock pad and change the GB number to match the phase number. Then I read to ground balance just push and hold the phase lock button and pump the coil until the GB number matches the phase number. That is when I made the post that I didn't see a lot of need for the GB knob, the phase lock pad seems to be the main control for ground balancing.
So I am pretty sure I could GB the F5 in the field.
But the pushing in on the GB knob is still a mystery as to what that does??
Ron in WV
Yes the GB knob can be pushed in, but PUSHING it in has no affect whatsoever on the operation of the F5, period! Only TURNING the GB knob has any affect.
IMHO, here is a very easy way to GB the F5. Using the F5s Ground Grab feature. Once you get familiar with the process you can do the whole song and dance in less than 2 seconds. Some of this is rather elementary but please don't take offence, as you can see I'm not much of a writer.
First turn on the detector, then set disc. to about 15, the thresh. to around 2. The numbers really doesn't matter that much it's just a place to start.
Next while pushing only the center Pinpoint button in (Not the GB KNOB) place the coil an inch or two above the ground and begin SWEEPING the coil as if detecting, you're looking for the quietest spot you can find in your immediate area. Notice I said QUIETEST, it need not be dead silent but that's OK too, but were looking for a spot that's noticeably quieter than the rest of your immediate area.
What your actually doing with the above action is looking for is a metal free piece of ground to GB on.
Once you have found the quietest spot keep the coil over this same location and remove your finger from the center PP button. Now while keeping the coil in this same quiet location press and HOLD the PHASE LOCK button and begin pumping the coil, up and down,(as described in the users manual) over said location until the TWO smaller, RIGHT and LEFT, screen numbers coincide/match.
Your F5 is now ground balanced for that location VIA Ground Grab.
Hope this helps more than hinders.
IMHO, here is a very easy way to GB the F5. Using the F5s Ground Grab feature. Once you get familiar with the process you can do the whole song and dance in less than 2 seconds. Some of this is rather elementary but please don't take offence, as you can see I'm not much of a writer.
First turn on the detector, then set disc. to about 15, the thresh. to around 2. The numbers really doesn't matter that much it's just a place to start.
Next while pushing only the center Pinpoint button in (Not the GB KNOB) place the coil an inch or two above the ground and begin SWEEPING the coil as if detecting, you're looking for the quietest spot you can find in your immediate area. Notice I said QUIETEST, it need not be dead silent but that's OK too, but were looking for a spot that's noticeably quieter than the rest of your immediate area.
What your actually doing with the above action is looking for is a metal free piece of ground to GB on.
Once you have found the quietest spot keep the coil over this same location and remove your finger from the center PP button. Now while keeping the coil in this same quiet location press and HOLD the PHASE LOCK button and begin pumping the coil, up and down,(as described in the users manual) over said location until the TWO smaller, RIGHT and LEFT, screen numbers coincide/match.
Your F5 is now ground balanced for that location VIA Ground Grab.
Hope this helps more than hinders.
WV62
Well-known member
Now that I have confirmed that the push part of the GB knob does nothing, I am ready to take it outside and give it a shot.
knarf just a little detail question on ground balancing. After you find that clean spot, you say let up on the PP pad and go to the phase lock. Now understand what you are doing but when you let up the PP pad is the detector in disc mode or do you have it switched into all metal? Just wondering if you are GB in disc or AM?
Thanks
Ron in WV
knarf just a little detail question on ground balancing. After you find that clean spot, you say let up on the PP pad and go to the phase lock. Now understand what you are doing but when you let up the PP pad is the detector in disc mode or do you have it switched into all metal? Just wondering if you are GB in disc or AM?
Thanks
Ron in WV
In that example you would be in Disc. mode. Sorry that I wasn't clearer.
After you get at ease using Ground Grab to ground balance while in the Disc. mode, give it a try while in All Metal mode, it works there also. As a suggestion, in the manual on page ten, when they reference AUTOTUNE MODE think ALL METAL MODE instead. It worked for me.
At the risk of telling you more than you probably want to know, the KNOB that is actually marked Ground Balance, I only used once or twice and that was just to see how it worked and what else it could be used for. After that I always used the Ground Grab feature (phase lock button) as described previously. It's about as close to instant gratification as one can get, so why not use it?
HH
After you get at ease using Ground Grab to ground balance while in the Disc. mode, give it a try while in All Metal mode, it works there also. As a suggestion, in the manual on page ten, when they reference AUTOTUNE MODE think ALL METAL MODE instead. It worked for me.
At the risk of telling you more than you probably want to know, the KNOB that is actually marked Ground Balance, I only used once or twice and that was just to see how it worked and what else it could be used for. After that I always used the Ground Grab feature (phase lock button) as described previously. It's about as close to instant gratification as one can get, so why not use it?
HH
WV62
Well-known member
My thoughts as well on the GB knob, but I am sure some guys love it.
I took the F5 to the park for little coin hunting today. The ground balancing went well and I was surprised but I found 11 coins all were in the ground like 3 to 5 inches, no new drops. I was using the 11"DD coil and it really likes bottle caps.
My last 2 trips to the same area I only got 4 coins each trip with my other detectors so the F5 done pretty well.
Ron in WV
I took the F5 to the park for little coin hunting today. The ground balancing went well and I was surprised but I found 11 coins all were in the ground like 3 to 5 inches, no new drops. I was using the 11"DD coil and it really likes bottle caps.
My last 2 trips to the same area I only got 4 coins each trip with my other detectors so the F5 done pretty well.
Ron in WV
MarkCZ
Well-known member
Okay, I would get more use out of the ground balance knob than the ground grab!
Ron and I often hunt a local city park, the Omega with the 11" coil ground balances out at around 52-54, I got that from using the ground grab but the park has so much litter in the ground sometimes it hard to find a CLEAN SPOT.
Now, when I go back to the park I turn on the detector, leave it in disc mode, the ground balance starts off at a default of 82 or 87?? I know I need 52, so I just manually dial it down to 52, watch the ground phase and hunt.
No all metal,
No pumping the coil over what you hope is clean ground,
Just dial it in.
The next advantage I see with the ground balance knob, if I'm reading the manual right? is if your hunting and the ground phase gets a little high or a little low you can just dial in a slight adjustment without finding a clean spot In the ground, pumping the coil, just dial adjust as you need to.
I run my Omega that way a LOT!
My lawn ground balances at 52-54 as well, now if I change coils I have to ground grab (different coils on the Omega for sure changes the balance number)
Mark
Ron and I often hunt a local city park, the Omega with the 11" coil ground balances out at around 52-54, I got that from using the ground grab but the park has so much litter in the ground sometimes it hard to find a CLEAN SPOT.
Now, when I go back to the park I turn on the detector, leave it in disc mode, the ground balance starts off at a default of 82 or 87?? I know I need 52, so I just manually dial it down to 52, watch the ground phase and hunt.
No all metal,
No pumping the coil over what you hope is clean ground,
Just dial it in.
The next advantage I see with the ground balance knob, if I'm reading the manual right? is if your hunting and the ground phase gets a little high or a little low you can just dial in a slight adjustment without finding a clean spot In the ground, pumping the coil, just dial adjust as you need to.
I run my Omega that way a LOT!
My lawn ground balances at 52-54 as well, now if I change coils I have to ground grab (different coils on the Omega for sure changes the balance number)
Mark
MarkCZ said:
Excellent suggestions Mark.
I never thought of using the first one but the second one, tweaking the GB back in line now and then I too have used but not often.I can't comment on the Omega but FWIW the GB knob on the F5 can give you fits if you don't understand it's idiosyncrasies. If my memory is correct Mike Hillis has a good read on using it.
Another use for the GB knob is the user can run the GB a little more positive or negative once properly GB if need be. I know that sounds somewhat counter productive of your suggestion but it's my understanding under some conditions, some feel it's advantageous to intentionally hunt with the GB set somewhat more positive.
HH
Shenandoah Digger
New member
In really hot ground I've run the ground balance a little to the negative and the F5 will see targets that it ordinarily wouldn't if the ground balance was set correctly.
MarkCZ
Well-known member
Omega vs the F5,
Dave _J told me the two are on the same "platform"
In reading the F5 it sounds a lot like the Omega in its operation. The Omega doesn't a separate gain and threshold control, it just has a sensitivity control. So, they omitted one control altogether and opted for more membrane touch pads so the face of the control housing isn't as cluttered (packed) with controls. For looks this may appear better (cleaner), but I'm thinking I like the control setup on the F5 better as far as function, I would like to have the threshold control because I think it would give the Omega more control in problem EMI areas.
They are supposed to use the same coils, (except for the earlier push in coil connectors)
One thing really like about both the F5 and the Omega is they don't have any menu to scroll through, they're straight forward, if it has it, its on the front panel.
Mark
Dave _J told me the two are on the same "platform"
In reading the F5 it sounds a lot like the Omega in its operation. The Omega doesn't a separate gain and threshold control, it just has a sensitivity control. So, they omitted one control altogether and opted for more membrane touch pads so the face of the control housing isn't as cluttered (packed) with controls. For looks this may appear better (cleaner), but I'm thinking I like the control setup on the F5 better as far as function, I would like to have the threshold control because I think it would give the Omega more control in problem EMI areas.
They are supposed to use the same coils, (except for the earlier push in coil connectors)
One thing really like about both the F5 and the Omega is they don't have any menu to scroll through, they're straight forward, if it has it, its on the front panel.
Mark
Shenandoah Digger
New member
I have both the Omega and the F5, and they're very similar. The F5 gives the user a little more control over how it operates and the Omega is more turn on and go. Performance for me is equal in every way, except the target ID numbers are different.
Steve missouri
New member
The F-5 is one of the best mid priced detectors on the market, it however has a very large learning curve. Most detector's in the mid price range take from 50 to 100 hours to learn well and know what it is telling you, The F-5 learning time is 3 to 5 times that, learning the relationship between the gain and the threshold. Once you have learned it, and don't overdrive the sensitivy, it will do amazing things. Many people who buy one believe that they have learned the detector in a short period of time, become frustrated give up and sell or store the detector in a closet, because they did not learn it. This is one of five mid to low priced detectors, that will produce wonderful results if you have the patience to learn it, (don't give up).