Questions on SE Smartfind & Iron Mask

[Safari***Ohio]

I'm a newer detector user - only about 40 hrs total in the field - 20 of these hrs. are with a new Safari I got from Kellyco a month ago. I've read a lot of the postings from newer Explorer SE owners in this forum and I've had similar learning curve experiences with my Safari. The real bottom line I'm getting out of all of this is that the Safari, Explorer SE and E-Trac are all fantastic metal detectors - you just have to be willing to put the time in ... to learn what these machines are telling you.

.I live in Ohio and do most of my detecting around 100 to 150 year old house foundations. These foundations are loaded with nails, iron and tons of other types trash. I really, really, really, like my Safari and I'm in this hobby for the long haul - what ever it takes! Here's the big question ... because of the extreme amount of iron and trash that I have to deal with ... would the Smartfind & Iron Masking features make Explorer SE a noticeably better detector for me own in the long run ?

Thanks !!!

 

[Mike Bearden]

That depends on how much noise you are willing to put up with because not everyone likes to hear it all like I do.

On sites like you've described I would go with a small coil first with the IM turned ON all but one notch from wide open with as much manual sens as possible and still keep a stable theshold.

Then I'd get right dab in the middle of the iron and work sloooooooly outward in a circular fashion from the middle overlapping my swings and wait on that sweet tone that say's DIG.

Like I said though, not to many of us around that can put up with it and audibly tune out the bad stuff, the brain takes quite a beating before it sinks in and doesn't bother you anymore.

But that's how I would appraoch old sites like that ... hate to leave much behind for others to brag about ... but it happens.


Mike

 

[Safari***Ohio]

Hi Mike, Thanks for the reply. As mentioned, I spend 90% of my detecting time on very old & trashy foundations. Would I be noticeably better off in the long term selling my Safari and buying an Explorer SE - because of the dual FER. and CON. - Smartfind and Iron Masking features ? My question to you all you Explorer SE owner's is ... do these two features really help that much on trashy sites ? Does the Iron Masking really cancel out all of the iron ? Does the FER / CON dual screen really ID targets as accurately as advertised ?
'

 

[Mike Bearden]

Iron masking is not foolproof but it does help, there is not one detector on the market today that has a fool proof discrimination or notching system and iron mask falls in that category.

There are a LOT of way's to skin the cat but 99% of successful multi frequency Minelab users hunt by sound first and screen second .... but it takes time for all of it to really click in the mind so that it becomes a AUTOMATIC brain response type of thing. Even single frequency detectors "without ID screens" are capable of giving these type of subtle sound nuances that tell us whether to dig or not !

That Safari you have is one of the best VLF type relic hunters currently on the market today and if you really learn it's language ... I seriously doubt any Explorer will out perform it ... they have great depth and tonal quality ... what else does one need to hunt relics ?

I primarily relic hunt and over the years have field tested just about everything on the market and make it my business to do so whenever possible because if there is something better ... I want to know about it, to even the playing field.

Being a relic hunter is getting tougher by the day because number 1, relics don't replenish themselves like coin drops and jewelry finds do, and 2, the detectors along with the people that use them are also getting better ... but just having the newest detector on the market doesn't make the user good at what he does because there is no magic wand.

I currently relic hut with a Minelab PI .. no screen, very little iron mask, and absolutely no discrimination or notching ability.
I find a ton of relics buy sound and a big shovel

Any proficient XS Explorer user can hold his own with the rest of the series, it all comes down to the USER who really knows his/her detector and it's language !

So to answer your questions,
1. Iron Mask does not cancel out all of the iron, some stuff will still get through like bent nails, etc.
2. No ... the FER/CON dual screen is not fool proof, neither are target icons on any detector brand.
These items do HELP the user make dig or not dig decisions but again ... don't bet your life on them.

Here's a hint for you, watch out for the guy that shows up with a older detector that looks like it's seen it's better days and he said he bought it new. He's the kind of guy that really knows his detector and will put a hurting on you with the finds he makes. It's because he knows his detector.

Mike

 

[ngrelic]

I traded my Safari in on a SE a couple of months ago, just because I got a great deal. What I've learned so far is the depth is the same, I guess because both are FBS machines. There are several audio features that give you more options. The smartfind screen seems pretty accurate most of the time, but I am still learning and as Mike said "nothing is fool proof". The iron mask is a neat feature and easy to use. You can almost mimic iron mask on your Safari by rejecting -10, -9, -8. Thats about the same as a low iron mask, anything that gives a high tone (using conductive audio) and a negative number is iron. Dig all low tones and any high tones with a positive number. That's how I was relic hunting with the Safari and finding DEEP minie balls. I think once I learn and get comfortable with all the settings and options on the SE I will like it even better than I did my Safari, and I REALLY liked my Sarafi.

 

[TomH]

Safari***Ohio,

I'm a Safari user too and considered upgrading to the Explorer but have decided to stay with the Safari. Like Mike said, it is familiarity with the machine that makes the difference. One of my digging buddies uses an old Blue and Gray that he bought new (we joke that his machine is four years older than the youngest guy that hunts with us) and he generally comes home with the most relics in his pouch. He really knows his machine and that makes all the difference in the world.

Later,
TomH

 

[Safari***Ohio]

Thanks to all for the info. I should have mentioned that not only do I do 90% of my detecting on old foundations but I'm mainly targeting coins. That's why I was asking if the FER./CON. duel display on the Explorer SE would save me a lot of digging time over the Safari. I do get the message - loud and clear that the best detector for the job ... is the one that the operator knows inside out !

I have always believed that know matter what type of job your planning on doing ... if you can ... show up with the best tools available! I also got the V-4 pin pointer with my Safari - ( better than no pin pointer at all - but not by much ! ) After reading all of your postings on the subject - I'll be ordering a Garrett Pro Pointer ASAP ! Looks like this pin pointer could sure save you A LOT of time in the field !