Test Garden ?

[zippy4zz]

I've had the 3030 for about a year now. I just cant seem to get that "aha!" moment your suppose to get when you've figured out how to pic good coins out of a ton of iron.
I swear, sometimes I get a good signal along with iron, but its ALL! Iron, when I dig. So I decided to build a test garden. I have been slowly
putting silver coins, at various depths with old iron nails. I'm still planting the garden, but so far I have two holes. One with a merc and old rusted
nail at 5 inch depth, placed about 2 inches away from each other at the same depth, and then another merc at 6 inches, with a bigger nail at 3 inches
about 1 inch to left of the merc. In both cases, its been pretty easy to get a good signal on the merc. For the guys who have gardens, can you tell me some
other good holes to build with iron and old coins to get a better idea of when i've got an iffy signal that should be dug. One that will give me the experience I need to
find better finds, in medium to high trash parks?
Thanks,
Zip.

 

[CT Todd]

I think you're off to a good start with what you have. I would do merc at 6 with a nail at4 right above it and the reverse of that same scenario. I would also do a surrounded merc at 6. If your brave do the merc touching the nail at 6. As time goes by your garden will "season" and get better. You're above average to take the time and want to learn bad enough to actually build the test garden. You will do well

 

[Paulie]

Your headed along the right road with the test garden! If you haven't purchased Andy Sabisch's book "The CTX 3030 Handbook" I strongly urge you to do so. The manual is filled with great information, that is put into laymen terms for guys like me to understand easily. Also, I would suggest you take a look at and read the following link on trashy sites using the CTX 3030.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?86,2035003
Lots of great info from the video!

 

[zippy4zz]

Thank you Todd and Paulie!
That really helps! I'll try all your suggestions Todd. Paulie, Ive been to Andy's class and now have his book on the 3030. Great info, thanks.

 

[Sanderling]

Zippy, also check out a You Tube video titled "Minelab CTX looking for good targets in iron." Pretty amazing what the CTX can do.

 

[JJ]

Cool video Sanderling! In the video, Dirtfishing was getting a ton of good audio on good targets in between iron, along with good target trace indication. I don't see this as target masking, just a good demonstration of recovery speed. The real demonstration of ctx's ability is these guys who are finding masked targets with zero audio and only using target trace to build and reveal the masked target. That's not me by the way, and will never be. I will never be glued to the screen while I hunt, but more power to them. JJ

 

[Sanderling]

Hey JJ, Dirtfisher puts out some good videos. They are interesting and he knows what he is doing. I have trouble distinguishing the different tones and unlike you, I am more of a visual guy. Like to see on the screen what the machine is telling me. To each his own I guess. I have only had my CTX for a month, so I have a lot to learn, but having fun working with it. Good hunting JJ!

 

[PMonday]

A test garden is a must for any serious detectorist. Real world experience trumps books and manuals every time. I have spent countless hours on my test garden and it has paid off.


HH