Silver uMax air tests?

[deathhare]

I suspect that my uMax may not be going as deep as it used to be so Id like to see some air tests so I can see if my detector does the same distances.

Would someone be willing to do a test with theirs if cant find some videos online?

Like a copper penny, clad quarter, and a nickel?
Those three should give me a good idea if its working correctly. You dont need to make a video or anything, just post the results.


Thanks for your help.

 

[tvr]

Don't have a Silver. I've got a Compadre with a 8x9 inch coil on it and a Cibola. The Compadre does 10 inches on a quarter with the discriminator set on foil and 8 inches on a nickle. The Cibola does better. I suspect that if you are running the 8 inch coil you should be getting what the Compadre gets or slightly better. If you are not, getting that, I'd suggest sending it in to get checked.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[DirtAngler]

Sensitivity max and zero discrimination, I get:

7" on a dime
7.5" on a nickel
8" on a quarter

 

[deathhare]

Yes, of course...stock coil here.

I got these numbers without headphones:

7" on a quarter
6" on a nickel
6" on a dime
6.5" on a copper penny
7" on a zincoln
12" on an iPhone.

These are the points when I got a signal that I would have dug, not some weak little crackling chirp that sounds like trash.


Would love to hear a few more test before i decide whether or not to send it in for a check up.

Thanks

 

[DirtAngler]

Yes, the readings I posted were with the stock coil and solid repeatable signals.

 

[tvr]

Mine were with headphones and scratchy but repeatable; not quite close enough to the coil for full round sounds. It doesn't sound like you are way out of whack; but if in doubt; call the factory and talk to them. Robert (allcav) has posted here and Rusty has always been helpful on the phone.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[Monte]

Natural variables? What the heck could those be?

1.. Is YOUR search coil 'in spec' or are OTHERS search coils 'in spec'?

2.. The internal Ground balance trimmer would have to be set exactly the same for YOUR unit and ANY BODY'S unit because if the GB is 'off' too much, the results will/can vary.

3.. If relying on only the speaker response, the variable would be how good is YOUR hearing compared with MY hearing or HIS/HERE hearing?

4.. What type of audio response do YOU call a good 'beep' compared with what I/THEY might consider a good 'beep?'

5.. What coin position was used when swept across the search coil?

6.. Was the target swept across the center-axis of the search coil?

7.. What sweep speed was used to do an "air test" with the sample target?

8.. Are actual measured distances used, or just a 'best guess' distance?

Those are a few air-test variables to keep in mind.

Yes, of course...stock coil here.

I got these numbers without headphones:

7" on a quarter
6" on a nickel
6" on a dime
6.5" on a copper penny
7" on a zincoln
12" on an iPhone.

These are the points when I got a signal that I would have dug, not some weak little crackling chirp that sounds like trash.

Another 'natural variable' would be trying to compare in-ground depth performance. Ground mineral conditions can change, even abruptly in some really challenging sites. Then the best comparison tests would be on long-lost, naturally-located and carefully recovered targets so you can know the exact position and measure (accurately) the depth from the search coil height to the located target.

Again, ground conditions can vary. Your detector might not be optimally tuned for your ground, or someone else's might not be for their ground, either. That can effect your results as well as others. A too negative GB will cause a lot of falsing in the discriminate mode. A too positive GB can cause a loss in detection depth, or total loss of detection, of higher-conductive targets, especially things like big silver $1 or some 50

 

[deathhare]

Mine were with headphones and scratchy but repeatable; not quite close enough to the coil for full round sounds. It doesn't sound like you are way out of whack; but if in doubt; call the factory and talk to them. Robert (allcav) has posted here and Rusty has always been helpful on the phone.
Cheers,
tvr

Thanks guys.
I will try it with headphones and see whats up.


Thanks Monte for the input.
Ive had this detector for about 3 years now.
Considering an upgrade anyway.

 

[deathhare]

Same results with headphones.
I feel like the detector is working as designed and wont be sending it in.
I will be doing an upgrade to a Vaq as soon as I can swing the $.
Probably keep the uMax around for a back up. Its been a great detector and has more than paid for itself.

 

[BarberBill]

I don't think air tests are always the best way to compare different detectors, but I do think it is well worthwhile to run some tests with your detector and any coils that you may have, write them down and use that to compare to when you may think that the performance of the detector may be off. Also shows what you may expect from the different coils. My two cents.
BB

 

[deathhare]

I don't think air tests are always the best way to compare different detectors
BB

I completely disagree and cant think of any better way to compare two exact detectors. If I have two detectors of the same make and model, as long as both of them are operating correctly, then they should give very similar results. If one of them dramatically underperforms, then something is wrong with that detector.
Based on my air tests compared to others, I believe we have determined that my detector is performing as it should.

 

[BarberBill]

As I mentioned, keep the figures - it'll give you a comparison if the performance question comes up again.
BB