Speaking Explorer-ese

[MIG73]

I've had an Explorer on and off for a couple years now, and throughout that time, I've had many nice finds, but I've come to the conclusion that I am not completely understanding what I'm hearing all the time. Let me explain. My buddy also uses an EXP II and we will often hunt together in a close proximity. More often than not, HE will find 3 or 4x as much stuff as I will with the same settings. My only conclusion is that I am not interpreting what I am hearing accurately in some cases. Sometimes I start to dig what I beleive to be a a good signal, only to have him scan it and tell me that its Iron. I also think I am passing on a lot of "iffy" signals because the machine is so chattery that I tune them out along with what I believe to be "junk signals"...For the most part, I understand what "clean" signals are telling me, its the chatter or mixed signals that give me trouble...any help that you old pros can offer would be appreciated. I really love my explorer, and want to learn to understand what its telling me, but I get frustrated when I get so SKUNKED while on hunts.

 

[John - Maryland]

"Dig Everything" until you learn the sounds better. Just remember with most of the good stuff, the cursor will be in the top right corner.

 

[NH Bob]

Its possible that your settings are not alike. Sounds like some of that chattery signal you speak of could be too high a Sen. setting or dirt under the coil cover. There are other settings that can make a difference like do you both Noise cancel? and how close are you to each other are you ? Variability, Gain, Fast verses Deep? Check out everything and then do as John suggested and dig it all.

 

[Boony]

Hi Mig73,

Try setting your EX II up exactly the same as your friend and when he gets a signal run your EX II over the spot before he digs, if your detector doesn't give off the same response there might be a discrepancy between the detectors.
If your hunting reasonable close to each other don't forget to noise cancel.

All the best....Boony

PS...Drop a post on the forum with the results.

 

[MIG73]

Thanks for the replies, but I really feel that it has little do do with settings, and more to do with interpreting what the EXP is telling me...How can I recognize a weak "good" signal or a mixed signal amongst all of the trash signals? I really think THATS my weakness.

 

[tomtowns]

When I get into a trash area I slow down the speed of my swing to a crawl....I usually don't last long in the high trash areas because right now all I have is the 10.5" coil & it can be brutal...but if I get ONE "SWEET" tweet I will try to put the center spoke on the target area & make several very short (3-4" sweeps)across the target from different angles & try to get another "GOOD" tweet...I may dig it anyway just to be sure... but learning the tones of your desired targets is CRITICAL because you may not be able to get a "GOOD" digital or smartfind reading due to the close proximity of trash...I probably should dig more than I do but like I said I'm new (2 months) & still trying to sort things out sound wise..."MY" biggest problem I think is trusting my ears actually heard a "GOOD" tone & Not a rusty nail mixed in with all the pull tabs,bottle caps, etc. it can be rough. I think one MAJOR key to doing well in high trash is a small coil, either a 5" or the new 4.5x7" for better seperation....there have also been times that once I was SURE there was a GOOD target, I ended digging up several crap items before being able to pinpoit & find the good signal...I'm still learning but hope I might have helped ...HH...TT

 

[NH Bob]

n/t

 

[tomtowns]

Hi Bob, in "HIGH TRASH" areas you should know that it is impossible to "DIG IT ALL" What MIG73 is looking for is help in being able to I.D. a good signal amongst all the chatter of trash...

 

[B Spa]

MIG73,
Are you using the same headphones as your friend? I have noticed huge differences in sounds and tones with different brands used on my Explorer.
HH,mpk

 

[MIG73]

I really dont feel its a mechanical difference, as we once traded machines and he STILL outdug me. Its got to either be my technique or my internal discriminator... I just feel like I sometimes get so overwhelmed with all the sounds coming through the phones that I begin tuning out everything but the strongest or most distinct sounds. And then if I DO find an iffy signal I consider digging, I'll play with the signal for 2 or 3 minutes to see if it sounds like its worth digging...

 

[gobble-gobble]

Like Bob said run a clear screen dig all good & or iffy signal, you will be surprised, with what you come up with until u learn the tones & the graft .You might have to turn the senetivity down abit & hit noise cancel. I hit noise cancel every time I go to a site, & if I switch coils. When your friend hits a target go over it with your explorer & see were your cross hairs are, it will come. GOOD HUNTING & GOOD LUCK GG.

 

[MIG73]

But they always sounds like good signals...its like its easier to hear a good signal once you know its there...