OK guys...
I should Preface this by saying, the piece of ground I was on yesterday has been worked with EVERY detector and coil combination, originally worked in 1977, a few gap years, but worked extensively since 1999 to present.
EVERY Minelab had been prototyped there including the original Explorer thru CTX, X-Terra etc and all of the above with small coils also.
What happened yesterday was essentially 2 targets in particular were noteworthy recoveries.
The 'Racer' small 5" x 4.5" coil was fitted and I set up the Two Tone and Three Tone modes with different settings.
During the afternoon, the Gain was increased by 5 points at a time: The start-up Sens was 65 (due to very 'blippy' soil) [ Ground Phase pie chart half black on RHS ]
ID Filter from 10 - 30 at various stages.
After spending an hour or so just hunting generally and seeking out solid repeatable signals several items were dug including some ferrous ones such as a spring from a wooden clothes peg.
Some non ferrous came up including foil and a battery top (I think)
Anyway, I began to hunt along a hedge line that "allegedly" had a lost man's signet ring.
This area is saturated with coke and rusted particles and a nightmare to work and lately hasn't turned up anything.
Then, a really nice solid two-way signal compared with prior signals 'hitting' about 5 to 6 times and then disappearing which is the way the Racer small coil does it's business.
I then checked the signal in all 4 Modes, AM, 2 tone, 3 tone, beach and got hits with them all the weakest in beach.
All metal was good so I then pin pointed in all metal.
I should add I am also testing the "NEW Nokta Pointer" and am finding it a real well-paired asset to the 'Racer'
A sod was dug (nice horseshoe sod) and the pointer was inserted: no signal: Sens was increased by a point: no signal:
More soil came out and was checked: nothing: the pin pointer went in again: a hit: more soil out: the hit increases: more soil out and I was deep now...
My Wilcox' took out another scoop and was emptied onto the growing pile of soil and checked with the probe and 'Bingo'...a hit.
It was what I think is a Victorian curtain ring (decorative) measuring 2" x 2" and looks to be an alloy of some sort?
The Nokta Pointer was put into the hole with just the orange top protruding and later measuring the distance at 8.25"
The next signal astounded me because it was the SAME area I have haunted with small coils.
Anyway, again one of those positive multiple hits continuously, digging, check with the probe, foil, more soil moved, more foil, a 3rd piece of foil and checking around the hole another vibration (I had it set to vibrate because the neighbours were enjoying their garden other side of hedge) and just as above scooped out more soil resulting in a 'hit' atop the pile.
The find was a very nice ornate watch winder key of copper!
Depth was measured at around the 6.5" mark.
So, I therefore was simply astounded!
Proving to me at that time in that location on that day that the 'Racer's small coil is better than several other brand small coils trialled here.
NB: I think "squirrel1" is on the same track as me in the way the Racer small coil first produces signals and then several hits later they stop = usually trash.
Tom, I'm not in the USA.
Good Hunting
Des D