Which Teknetics & Coil Is Deepest On Coins?

[Critterhunter]

I've been researching this line of machines and from what I've gathered thus far I think the T2LTD is said to be the deepest on coin targets, but would still like to hear other's opinions on this. I'm also interested in how it compares in depth on coins to the F75LTD, which I also hear is deeper than the regular F75. While I'm asking I'm also curious which of the aftermarket coils appears to most to have the best coin depth. If it follows suit with the Minelabs then I would expect maybe either the SEF 12x10 or 15x12 to be the deepest of them all, which I think are both available for these machines? I'm very early into researching these units but have always heard good things about them and do like the looks/weight of them. I'm considering adding one to my line up to sit along side my Sovereign GT. I've never seen one to compare to in the field but from what I've read most believe them to be right at the top of the list in terms of depth, right along side the Minelab BBS and FBS machines at least in certain soil types.

 

[Keith Southern]

I would think it would be hard to beat the Bi--Axial coil that comes on it...those S.E.F. coils are nice coils but I believe you will see the greatest depth and separation with the Stock..

Just my take and I may be wrong since I have never had a S.E.F. on the T-2.But I have had them on a M.X.T. and it helps the M.X.T. alot But I would rather have the Bi-Axial on the M.X.T. if it could be done... If that tells you anything...

The S.E.F. will probably cover more area if your open field hunting but I don't believe you will see any depth improvement in ground?? at least not enough to warrant it...

Remember the Bi-Axial is cutting edge technology in coil design..Never seen a big coil separate that good and still retain excellent depth!

Just my take on it..

Keith

 

[Cache Man]

Keith is 100% right on the new Coils on the new fisher and Teknetics Detectors and that is not only his take but a lot of people who have owned these detectors for any amount of time. HH

 

[Monte]

You seem quite partial to the Minelabs so let me comment on them first. The BBS and FBS technology models are different from others that Minelab makes or their competitors. I've owned all of the Explorers, except the E-trac, and I presently like the Safari for simple set up and it gets the FBS job done. I've use SEF coils, but not on a First Texas product, and I seriously doubt that I will. Personally, I got just about equal or better success with the Explorers and 11" Pro coil, and prefered that coil to the heavier SEF. The same was true when I worked a 10X12 SEF on White's M6, MXT and 'V' models, preferring the 10" Excelerator coil to the SEF mainly because of better weight and balance concerns.

Yes, in good environments I could maybe get a little increase in depth, but depth isn't everything.

Without a doubt one of the strongest attributes of the Teknetics T[sup][size=small]2[/size][/sup] is the light weight and excellent balance. this is true of all of the Teknetics models. Having used the SEF coils on other models, I can only imagine that it would destroy that almost perfect balance and 'feel.'

Now, since you asked about depth, I can only say that the 11" Bi-Axial Double-D coil seems to provide excellent functional depth of detection for most hunting applications, especially when the site is relatively clean of nearby masking targets.

If hunting in trashy sites, larger coils actually suffer a lot due to all of the close targets that can influence the EMF. This will effectively impair the overall performance and drastically limit depth of detection. That said, I also have to say that the 5" DD coil is able to work in and around those same trashy sites and, due to a smaller EMF it is less affected by targets off to the side, and it provides the best depth when conditions are trashy. this is why we can re-hunt a site that was previously scoured with a larger coil and that 5" DD will locate many missed targets. Sometimes, they aren't just shallower targets, either.

Monte

 

[Critterhunter]

Thanks for the info. The SEF coils from what I'ved read do not perform as well on the Whites as they do on the Minelabs. I've done all the research I can over several months on the SEFs for the Minelabs and the majority say the 12x10 and 15x12 give better depth, seperation, pinpointing, and unmasking ability than the 10" FBS or BBS coils and even than the 11" Pro Coil. Most also say nothing is deeper, even compared to the WOT or S-12. I found this hard to believe (unmasking, pinpointing, separation) until I picked up the 15x12. It does those things better than my 10" Tornado coil for my GT. Very stable coil and I love it, not nearly as heavy or big as I thought.

I'm in the market now for a 12x10 to add to my lineup, as the 10" feels like a sniper coil to me now and so I'm not happy using it. I see no reason to anymore because I think the 15x12 is better at separation. While I've dug some real deep tiny stuff with the SEF (& a small sinker at 11"), I have yet to dig any coins deeper yet than I have with the 10", which were a V and an Indian in seperate holes at around 11" deep or very close to that. Both gave great ID/tone. My ground averages moderate to high minerals so it might be that the 15x12 isn't offering any depth advantage due to seeing more ground matrix and might be washing the coin signal away with the processing of that. In low mineralization I'm sure there would be no doubt to it having better depth, but I have yet to prove that to myself in most of my harsher soils. Not that it won't run stable at high sensitivity levels (higher than the 10" at most sites, in fact), but that doesn't automatically translate into more depth. I've also found that highest seemingly stable sensitivity settings on a Sovereign (like I've found on the Explores I've owned) doesn't give best depth. Often less than have sensitivity than what seems perfectly stable will produce maximum depth.

Way off track but either way haven't researched Teknetics or coil options enough yet to make a judgement on both which of their models seems to offer best depth on copper/silver coins, nor which coil (like the SEFs) is said to produce maximum coin depth in specific soil conditions. Thanks for the input thus far and look forward to any other opinions.

 

[reltolbert]

Has anybody noticed that the Omega 8000, with any Coil(s), is very weak on a small gold necklace in discrimination
but does well in all-metal mode?
My Gold Bug does well with this gold necklace in both discrimination and all-metals mode.

 

[Monte]

same position with both models, using the same search coil, and which discrimination 'mode' or tone process did you use with the Omega? Were the Sensitivity levels 'comparable'?

Once you have everything set as close to similar as possible and use the same/similar coils, then the only factor remaining is the operating frequency. While it's not always a hard-and-fast rule, the higher-frequency model ought to have at least a little 'edge' over the Omega.

Monte

 

[reltolbert]

Monte,

Once I ground balanced the Omega correctly with the 5"DD coil (from my Gold Bug), it works good
with the Gold Necklace. I guess that part of the ground
was highly mineralized and just needed to ground balance.
Thanks for your advice.
My new Omega and my new Gold Bug are very close to having the same depth and sensitivity.
Of course the Gold Bug leans towards detecting the Gold Nuggets and gold flakes
but is also excellent at finding coins, jewelry, etc.
I like them both. I have found many coins with both of them.

 

[Critterhunter]

Still would like input on which model seems to give best depth on silver/copper coins. I'd expect it to be the T2 and that the T2LTD is a tad deeper from what I've gathered so far. Are the T2 models deeper than the F75 and F75LTD, or are there any other perks to one over the other? Thanks for the input.

Also, any rumors about a lower (south of 6khz) model being made in the future? That would probably hit deeper on silver/copper. Haven't researched these machines closely yet but I assume all the models are in the higher range of frequencies?

 

[Critterhunter]

Just did a little looking on KellyCo and noticed the Omega 8000 and Gamma 6000 are 7.8khz machines. Much lower than what I always thought I heard they were, so now those are of interest to me compared to the T2 for best depth on silver/copper coins. The T2 being almost double that at 13khz might hinder it's ability to hit hard on those metals compared to them, at least in higher mineralization. Any input on "best depth" of any of these machines needed. Was planning to search the net and print out a bunch of threads on these machines today to do my own comparisons but ran out of paper, so that'll have to wait for another day.

 

[Monte]

"Book Theory" suggests that all lower-frequency models will handle "high-mineralization" better than all higher-frequency models, and that lower-frequency models will get better depth and response on the higher-conductive targets (such as silver). Also, that the opposite is true and the higher-frequency models will outshine the mower-frequency models when it comes to lower-conductive targets such as the US 5

 

[Critterhunter]

Yes there are exceptions to any rule but as a general "rule of thumb" it still holds true that lower frequencies tend to have better ability to penetrate mineralized ground. On the other hand, there are instances when the ground matrix doesn't like a specific frequency range as well as it will "allow" others to see through it, and in that case a much higher frequency can be much better than something lower even for high conductivity targets. Through my years of owning various machines I've always found it to be true- that the higher frequency units (say 12khz or higher) have more trouble with ground minerals, and at the very least are more prone to unstability due to electrical noise. That's not to say that there aren't many exceptions to both those factors, but for me it's held true.

There are also some who say that high frequency machines tend to have better discrimination and target ID. For me I've found the exact reverse to be true. The higher frequency machines I'ved used over the years seemed much more prone to giving say false coin hits on deeper tiny targets, both iron and small bits of metal like can slaw.

Opinions mostly come down to personal experience from one person to the other, and it's very possible that others have had the exact reverse of experiences to form a completely different opinion. It's sort of like cars. I've had all my luck with Fords and the most problems with Chevys, but I know people who have had it the other way around. Obviously I buy or use what I've had the most luck with, as do they. Thanks for the continued input on these machines, and I look forward to any further input people can give me in comparison of them. One of these units will be added to my line up some time in the near future. Just have to decide for myself based on the opinions of others who have used them.

 

[Monte]

different results or experiences which bring us to our conclusions. I've had better luck with Ford cars and less hassle with Chevrolet trucks, for example. Thus, I am not totally biased one way or the other.

One of these units will be added to my line up some time in the near future. Just have to decide for myself based on the opinions of others who have used them.

I think it's great that you want to add one of these to your detector battery soon. I suggest caution, however, if your decision is going to be based solely on the opinions of others. I think you need to use one or two of them yourself to make that decision. I know that if I would have just relied on some others "opinions" I wouldn't have picked up an Omega and spent time with it. I'm glad I ignored some of the opinions and listed to others, then took up the challenge to wring one out.

Monte

 

[jbow]

In general the F75 in BP can be deeper than the F75. In general the F75 can be deeper than the T2. I don't know where the T2 LTD fits, it may get deeper than the F75 original. In most soil I don't think you'll notice a difference between the F75 or T2 or a difference between the F75 LTD or T2 LTD. In Florida or anywhere where there is little or no mineralization you may gain an inch or so with the F75.

The F75 LTD is the First Texas Products flagship detector. It is the most powerful and most sensitive but the ground minerals and iron are a great equalizer with detectors that are so similar... IMO.

J