So when I am hearing tones ...

[Bill in Oregon]

... that are just brief little bips and beeps that are cut off by null trash signals, are these possibly good targets? I know some of the them that bounce around the number scale tend to indicate can slaw. I also don't dig targets that disappear altogether when swept at a 90-degree angle. But I do get brief chirps in the various tones and wonder what gives.

 

[DirtAngler]

Probably trash but if they're deep, dig them. Another good reason for hunting in a mode with zero discrimination, or all metal if you prefer it, it won't null and you'll hear everything, allowing you to cherry pick the good targets by slowing down and rotating around the signal.

 

[Old Longhair]

Going slow and listening to the null are key.
Often the edges of items nulled will give off high tones and IDs. So if the tone is followed by an abnormally long (for a coin) blank or null, chances are really good that it's just junk.

I usually hunt in AM with my Xterra, but from time to time you do run into a place where it will drive you insane with undending kaliopie like noise. In places like that, a little DISC or Iron Mask can go a long way, but it's harder to go as slow as you should. Hunting in AM will teach you how slow you should sweep, as well as be an indication of how trashy or mineralized the site is. I would urge anyone to give it an honest shot. It may well not be for you, but personally I know that my success is largely due to listening to everything that my machine can tell me.

 

[Bill in Oregon]

Thanks guys, So far I am just running it in factory preset. I have a LOT to learn.

 

[Mark in S.E. IA]

Bill, since your new with the Xterra the best thing I can tell you is to dig everything that beeps so that you can learn what the MDer is telling you.

 

[TURNMASTER]

That is typically trash for me, mostly iron. The good targets among trash tend to be a good tone among the iron tones. I dig lots of trash. Good targets tend to have a stable location, where the rusty nail or other bits sometimes move around. Foil seems to have a nickel tone with a lower ID and a iron drop off. But then again buffalos some times have an iron tone leading in or out. Depth is relevant as is condition of coin and soil along with trash volume.

Are you new to detecting or just the Xterra?

Jeff

 

[Bill in Oregon]

Jeff, new just to the Xterra. Thanks for all the help, guys.

 

[jablonsky]

Bill, you will be a pro in no time. The more you do it, the better your ears will get. Just be patient and have fun.
Also try running in AM with muliple tones. If you get overwelmed with the muliple tones, scale back to 2, then 3, then 4 til your ears are tuned.