New to metal detecting looking for advice

[Korath]

So after doing my research I picked a detector and kit (Deus xp with controller headphones and an 11 inch coil, pin pointer, lesche).

My game plan was to hunt a couple fields with my Brother until we figure out how to dial things in then we have some spots picked out.

So we went on the first hunt. An old orchard field in Oregon, really wet ground (spongy almost swampy like fields). I wasn't sure how to start so I picked a spot that the detector wasn't making much noise at and did the "ground balance" raising and lowering it several times it gave the ok.

So we just hit the field in mode 1 and went for it. Played around with going from 3 tone to Full Tone and tried XP fast mode some. The adventure started, several nails, some tin foil, a few cans, a hammer and a cool old looking Disston hand saw screw and some odd melted iron lumps later our first hunt was done. It was interesting and fun but I'm at a caveman level, if it makes enough noise I dig. I would like to learn what the machine is telling me better or how to make it tell me where stuff is better.

So my questions are:

• As a beginner should I just switch modes like 1 & 2 and xp fast to start? Or should I be focusing on a readout or couple settings to start? With all the tones, readouts and settings where is the efficient starting focus point?
• Depth, I thought the machine would give me an idea of depth but from the manual and stuff I'm not seeing it. So I feel like I'm digging up too much, I would like to get more precise here.
• Ok so depth is shown through the pin pointer and the horse shoe from reading the forums here. How do I translate the bars / blank spaces to inches?
• Constant chatter, especially in full tone I get a quieter chatter on a swing then focus in on the area and no real solid follow up tones in that spot. Should I be human filtering this or what setting to adjust this out? The videos I have seen make it seem like they only get sounds when they are over something to dig.
• Ground Mineralisation reading, so I was getting from 84-90. Not sure what that is telling me, or if that is just part of dealing with a wet Oregon field and I shouldn't read into it much while its wet.
• Conductivity readout, I think this was from it being wet. We were digging up iron and trash that I thought would have been down below 50. But everything was in the 80's - 90s. Not sure if I should be looking into settings to adjust this or just accept it.
• Should I use ground balance to start every run? Or the tracking feature or just start and go? I wasn't sure what the right ritual was so I just defaulted to GB and go.

I think we have a great training area picked out, there is going to be a ton of "trash" with a few interesting things so hopefully we will get good at filtering or etc.

Thanks for reading, any advice on where to look books, videos, forums or I wish I had known this type stuff would be appreciated!

 

[CT Todd]

You bought the exact set up that I have. It works very well.
You need Andy's book get it.
Too many videos isn't a help.
I would pick one program and tone setting and stick with it for a while. Learn the machine.
Unless your cherry picking an area who cares how deep things are. Learn to pinpoint well and dig.
Dig all the positive targets.
Ask questions here on the forum read all the replys.
There isn't any magic in the machine it's just an electrical device.
You will learn to adjust it for Your ground.
You will find your way.

 

[martygene]

Go slow... both in swinging and in trying to learn this machine.
try some areas that aren't too full of signals. that just makes it harder to figure out what is going on.
what Todd said: get Andy Sabisch book... http://www.sabischbooks.com/

try to stick with one program for a while to get used to what the machine is telling you. if you make some changes, make them with that same program.
a lot of users like the full tones but it takes a while to get used to. keep at it.

even tho this machine had fast reactivity you still have to go S L O W .... it will give you a tone so fast that your mind might not even register it. give yourself time.

plant some coins and other objects in your yard to help you to hear the differences.

good luck... have fun..

keep asking us questions. there are a lot of good detectorists here..

GL & HH

 

[sprchng]

Korath ,
Get enough posts under your belt so you can receive PMs.

 

[Korath]

Thank you for the advice!

I think I'm going to leave it on full tones while I focus on the ferrous / non ferrous read outs on the horse shoe to see if I can get at getting used to the tone differences.

What program would you recommend for me to stick on if I'm going to be hunting either the beach or soggy wet fields (It is Oregon so the field only dries up a couple months out of the year), and I'm not out for anything specific at this time like coins etc just having fun finding it all . Basic 1, Basic 2, XP Fast, or is there a good custom program I should tack down and load and stick with too learn on? (I'm good following the instructions to load / modify / update the device).

One last thing I read about using silicon to seal the coils, is that something I need to check into more or have you guys just left it how it is? I don't think I need too, but if I can do something smart now to save me later that would be nice to know.

 

[HuntinDog]

Welcome
and congrats on your new machine.
When I got my Deus they were still pretty new to the US, so not a lot of posts to learn by.
I got Andy's book and read and watched all I could find on the net.
I still feel that a good way to learn what the Deus is telling you is to hit as many playground Tot Lots you can find. Schools and parks.
Those chips are full of pulltabs, bottle caps and foil along with zincolns and clad.
dig it all and learn the different sound that a tab has to a nickel, copper penny to a zincoln and bottle cap to a quarter and listen closely to the sound of a target next to the posts.
This will give you the best base to judge all of your targets from there.
Don't worry about what is the best program and start switching up the settings until you have become comfortable.
Programs for one area might not run at all in another.
Take your time and enjoy the learning curve.

I started with basic 1 and moved to Deus fast once I felt more comfortable.
Than after I was comfortable with Deus fast I started to adjust different settings and started running in full tones.
It takes a while to be comfortable with the Deus, but it will "click" and you will be on your way.

Siliconing the coil is NOT necessary.
This was done on the other manufactures to keep the mud and sand out from under the coil cover.
Deus coil covers are easily removed for cleaning and they are completely waterproof.
Good luck and we like pictures...

 

[Null Detector]

This site is also an invaluable resource:

http://www.metaldetectingworld.com/xp_deus_settings_explained.shtml

I also started detecting this year and I got a Deus and love it.

Don't rush to try to learn it all at once. Just go out detecting, and then come back and read Andy's book and check websites and videos (Gary's especially) and go out detecting again, and things will start to make more sense. You'll figure out the most important things you'll need to know.

So after almost a year I'm hardly an expert, though I can't get out as much as I'd like. I know that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, but learning the machine and digging things up has been most rewarding; as well as knowing that it's just about the best metal detector on the market - if not THE best..

Good luck!

 

[casabisch]

First off if you are hunting in the US than the pre-set programs are not where you want to be. As for Gary's videos they are great but they are intended for European hunting not for hunting in the states.

Send me or Andy a message and we can get you some help for where you are hunting at.

You can email me at casabisch@gmail.com

Charlene

www.treasurehuntingoutfitters.com
"Experience the Thrill of Discovering Lost Treasure!"

 

[Korath]

First off if you are hunting in the US than the pre-set programs are not where you want to be. As for Gary's videos they are great but they are intended for European hunting not for hunting in the states.

Send me or Andy a message and we can get you some help for where you are hunting at.

You can email me at casabisch@gmail.com

Charlene

www.treasurehuntingoutfitters.com
"Experience the Thrill of Discovering Lost Treasure!"

Thank you for the help! I sent an email with the thread title in the subject.

 

[casabisch]

Got the email. Will have something over to you by the weekend