KNOW your Metal Detector!
The Fisher F75LTD and Teknetics T2TLD have a new microprocessor and new “DSP” code with a ‘boost process’ to increase depth. Not to mention a cool camo color scheme (don’t set it down in the woods). $1200.
The White’s Spectra V3 (Vision) has a full color display and wireless headphones. $1600.
You can connect the Minelab E-Trac to your PC by using the detector’s USB interface. You’ll dish out about $1400 first.
So many expensive options, so little time.
My first detector as a grown up was a Radio Shack Discovery 2000, and I was FIRED UP about 
using it. Seems like everything was going good with it too – until I started researching detectors and their limitations. To prove (or disprove) what I read, I decided to plant a couple of coins in my back yard to see how the detector would respond. Needless to say there was some concern when I couldn’t get a peep from a 4” deep coin.
Then it started.
I needed another detector. Then I met my friend “The forum classifieds” The Discovery 2000 was introduced to another owner, and I made acquaintance with detector number 2. But it didn’t seem to find me any more goodies than the first one. So it had to go.
On to Detector #3, but my finds didn’t improve at all.
Detector #4 didn’t have manual ground balance. I decided I had to have that.
Detector #5 ROCKED! But the tones were confusing.
Detector #6 was supposed to get really good depth in mineralized ground. But it didn’t find me any seated coins.
I decided that I didn’t give #5 enough time, so I got another one. Results were the same.
Detector #8 was REALLY deep in my ground, but it was single tone.
Detector #9 was an “interum” detector until I had enough cash to get one I really wanted.
Thought I’d give single tone another try. Meet Detector #10.
Nope, I can’t do single tone.
Let’s offer Detector #10 for trade and see what kind of bites it gets.
Meet Detector #11.
LOVE IT!
Now, this is a basic summary of my experience with different metal detectors. I’ve changed some of the names to protect the innocent. If you’ve been metal detecting for any length of time, you can see a HUGE problem with this behavior.
I’m not LEARNING my machines.
To be a successful detectorist, you have to KNOW your machine. Every beep, iffy tone, weak tone, half tone, grunt, fart, click, pop, chatter, squeel, whistle, null, ID bounce, tone bounce, and scratch means SOMETHING. The only way to get to know your machine on this level is to get your knees dirty and dig.
Dig pulltabs. And bottle caps. And canslaw. And foil. And iron.
Keep notes about how the detector signaled that bottle cap. Was it just a beep? Or was it more of a quick, subtle nuanced buzz followed by a weak beep with a bouncing zinc/cap visual ID? Did it ID different from different angles? Did it pinpoint accurately? Did switching to all metal mode tell you more information?
Here’s my challenge to you: spend 20 hours using your detector before you give up on it and get another one. That might be a few weeks or a few months, but stick with it and try to learn what the machine is telling you.
In the mean time, I’m saving for a F75 -LTD.
I used my Fisher 1266 for over 10 years and knew it very well and thought I’d never need another one, but was I ever wrong.
I read the posts on forums from some of the old diehards that tone ID, depth readings, etc.., were mostly just gimmicks to sell new machines, but for years I wished I had one to try for myself.
This year a buddy let me try his F75 that he’d had for close to a year but was reluctant to try because he knew his CZ5 so well.
With just a quick glance at the manual to learn how to change process, tones and sensitivity we hit a spot that had been hunted hard for the last 25 years. My first time with it and I dug a ‘43 silver Roosevelt at around 8″. I fell in love with it right then and there.
I became obsessed, and within a few weeks I finally found a great deal on Ebay. The auction ended on Thursday and by Monday my F75 was waiting for me when I got home.
My wife thought the box was empty because it was so light. I slapped it together, browsed through the manual and took it out to the back yard to try it out.
First target was a silver Washington quarter at roughly 9″. I also dug up a bunch of wheaties that same night.
I’d hit the yard many times with my 1266 but knew there had to be more buried there, but the EMI caused by the overhead service made me hunt with a 5″ coil and only 50% sensitivity. The F75, even with some EMI issues did the job.
Since then I learn something new with it every time out and am amazed how it can sniff out the keepers surrounded by rusted bottle caps, pulltabs and screw caps.
The next purchase for me is going to be the 4 x 6-1/2″ coil because some of the areas I hit are super trashy with what seems like 5 or more pieces of trash under the coil at any one time.
Now the LTD’s out I hope to be able to upgrade by the Spring. I’m all for the newest technology now and kick myself for waiting so long to give the new machines a try.
Anyone coin hunter that’s done this for a while knows that silver’s hard to come by these days. With my 1266 I’d maybe end up digging one every 3rd or 4th trip out. Since getting the F75 I’ve gotten at least one every trip out, and two weeks ago I dug 3, which included a beautiful 1942 Walker.
The F75 has really made detecting fun again for me. The VDI, tone selections and depth readings have really increased the keepers and cut way down on the amount of trash I used to dig. I love it!
Happy Hunting!
Mike
Nice post Mike.
Believe it or not I’ve already moved on to the next detector. Spent all summer with a Fisher F70, now have gone back to Minelab for an Xterra 70. Two of the machines mentioned in the article were Minelabs – the Explorer was “Dectector #5″ and “Detector #8″ was a Musketeer Advantage. Both awesome machines. I still think the Advantage was one of the deepest machines I’ve ever had.
Good luck with that F75. They can be “chattery” but awesome performers!
w
Ok, so I’ve gone on to another machine already. I’ve been swinging a Minelab X-terra 70 for a month or so. Great machine. This makes the 3rd Minelab I’ve owned. Yep, the other two are mentioned above. The machine with the tones that I couldn’t get used to was an Explorer XS and the single tone machine with awesome depth was a Musketeer Advantage. Thinking back, I’m still amazed at the depth you can get out of a VLF machine.
Since the original post above was written, I’ve been more and more intrigued at the E-trac. Pretty impressive reports are out there, particularly involving the new Minelab’s capabilities in trash.
Keep saving!