Pinpoint signals

[Gila Marc]

I've read recently in two or three places where a suggestion is made to watch the bars in All Metal pinpoint mode for any little rise and dig those, even when there isn't enough signal for a sound or VDI indication.

I realize my ignorance is showing, but how do you know where to pinpoint if there is no prior indication? I know the manual, and I believe Sabisch's book also, says to not search in pinpoint mode. Any light on this would be greatly appreciated!

Marc

 

[JHM]

I believe the answer will be to look for a break in the treshold to find these faint signals. I have never dug these because they are really hard to pinpoint. I'm sure I've missed some good stuff.

 

[Golden]

Hi Gila Marc, what I do is, when I here a sound however faint, and I suspect the likelihood of a target, I slowly run my coil over the area with the pinpoint on, and watch for any slight variation in height on the graph, moving the coil as I pick it up, until it reads definite. Usually a faint signal like that might mean a very deep or tiny target, almost out of detecting range. It might even be out of the 12 inch range of the depth gauge. Sometimes I've dug faint targets like these, that were deeper than the 12 inches. Taking an inch or so off the surface over the suspected target spot, will bring the signal out a little more clear and stable. See how you go with this.
Ang

 

[Gila Marc]

Hi, Angela! Thanks for the info! I've found by accident that taking off an inch or two makes a big difference in the signal. I'm starting to get the hang of this Quattro, and I think it may replace the MXT at the #1 detector in my arsenal. It's really deep, and I've found that the All Metal mode makes all the difference in areas without a lot of pull tabs. I didn't plan to go out today, but I've just about convinced myself to try the old railroad yard again. I found a cool old swastika there last week. If I can ever get off my butt and take some pics, I'll post some of my recent finds. Nothing spectacular, I assure you!

Marc

 

[beachguy777]

Marc, I read a while back where a guy would dig anything, as long as the bar graph rose even "a hairs breath" as he put it. I don't have that much experience with that, because I'm too lazy, but it might be worth a try. I don't know about getting a super tight central reading on it with that method, unless you dig where the bars are in the center of the screen, (maybe), but this guy said he dug some really deep targets that way. Just a thought. Marc, from San Diego. P.S. At that point of barley seeing the bars go up a bit, you may not have any audio, but he swears, if the bars go up even a little there's something down there.

 

[Ken (Australia)]

Hi Marc, I've also found particularly with our small silver predecimal threepences that I would get a very weak signal with a deep coin. Take a few inches of the top and the signal becomes much stronger but if the coin was in the bottom of the hole in loose soil the signal would disappear. Once the loose soil and coin were taken out of the hole the signal would reappear...........Ken.

 

[beachguy777]

Golden that's a great idea about taking a couple inches of dirt off of the target in order to read it better. How come I never thought of that?:sad:It's funny how some of the these things, or anything for that matter can be pretty simple or easy, but if we don't think of it, "it ain't gonna happen". I heard a story once, that I never forgot, and it may be true, where a big rig got stuck under a bridge and the "big guys", (you know the authorities, and engineers, and such", were standing there ascessing the cituation and some little kid walked up and said, "Hey fellas, why don't you just let the air out of the tires"? and their jaws dropped to the floor. They were thinking of stuff like putting grease betweent the top and the bridge, or jacking up the bridge a little, all that kind of stuff, but it sure didn't make as much sense as the tire thing, in my eyes at least. Just thought I'd share that with you all. :|

 

[beachguy777]

Go get em Gila!! I'm glad your starting to like the Quatro, and all the best on the railroad yard. Let us know if you find any treasure.:|Marc from San Diego.

 

[Ratman]

Hi Marc ! I have to agree with Golden on this one . Also on your deeper targets like 10 to 12 inchs the Quattro may not show complete bars on the graph in pinpoint mode but listen for a sputtering sound . This is an indicater that it's very deep . Good luck and take care !.....Mike

 

[beachguy777]

You know what Gila, you've got a good point. I think I remember the same thing, and so it almost doesn't make sense to say look a the bars and if they move, start digging?? In other words, if I'm reading you right, you wouldn't even be in pinpoint mode unless you "heard" it first. Good point. Geezzzzz. I'm not sure what they mean on all that, except, that if for some reason, your in pinpoint mode and you see the bars moving even a little bit, it might mean there's something down there to dig. I'm not sure if I'm right on that or not. Good point, though, and good luck!

 

[beachguy777]

Ok, Golden, so I guess your saying if you hear, even a super faint audio signal, switch over to pinpoint, and start looking at the bar graph and see if it raises up or not, and that could be a clue to a super deep target. I hope I'm reading you right on this. I also like your idea of taking part of the dirt off the top of the target in order to reduce the depth reading, so it could maybe read better. Marc.

 

[Wirechief]

Hi Marc, I very rarely use the pinpoint mode on my Quattro. But I use the Coiltek Platypus and use the front and center of this coil where it has a sweet spot and zero in on my targets. I also am sometimes too analytical and will spend a lot of time on one target coming in from all angles. I think the deepest I have gone is 12" so far digging a target. It is a slow machine but I love that high tone when I hit upon a nice target. Ok Marc God Bless and thanks for the post.

John Tomlinson,CET
John's Detectors