10 days into my CTX...I seem to be digging more trash

[Mason Jarr]

I came to the CTX after running an E-trac with an X-1 probe. I've been working some more modern sites to get used to the CTX and I am finding plenty of clad coins. I also found a 1903 V nickel at one of the spots. But I seem to be digging more junk targets than I did with my E-trac....mainly in the 12-40 to 12-42 ranges. I'm running Gonehunting's Combined Ferrous/Coin program with some modifications on the bins. It could be that I'm pinpointing on some peripheral targets instead on the coins and that's why I'm getting more junk. I'll notice that as I sweep I might get a signal of 12-42, but as I pinpoint those numbers will change. But, if I move the coil around with pinpoint locked I can find a target with the 12-42 numbers and get the trace bubble centered and red. Even still, at least half of the time the retrieval on those numbers will be junk. I'm not really having any difficulties on other numbers though. 12-36/37 is almost always a Zincoln. 12-43/44 is almost always a dime or copper cent. 12-12/13 is a nickel.

I've read the manual. I've watched Youtube vids. I've read back through this forum to page 15. I'm looking for some advice on anything I can do to minimize the junk I'm digging. I don't want to not dig targets in the 12-40/42 range because I know good stuff lives there, too.

 

[nolanation]

What do you mean by junk? Iron? Im sure you know 12-40/42 is not always gonna be a keepable item.

 

["Dr.Tones"]

Just make sure your getting a consistent audio signal. Consistency is key!

 

[Mason Jarr]

Some rusty iron, yes. Some can slaw. Yes, I know those numbers aren't always coins. If the answer is, "dig it all", then that's the answer. I've had some Mercs come in at 41/42 so I can't not dig those numbers.

 

[Mason Jarr]

Just make sure your getting a consistent audio signal. Consistency is key!

They're mainly good, repeatable signals that I'm digging, but at those numbers seems to be a lot of junk in the holes. Everywhere else I'm doing fine.

 

[Des D]

Hey Mason,

What's up?
Good to hear you're finding with your new CTX.

You'll inevitably dig 'junk' or 'trash' when coming into a new machine.
Even then, with many hours on it some junk will always be found.
Many targets [mimic each other's conductive properties] hence a coin can "show the same numbers" as "junk".

If it really becomes a problem for you, two suggestions.
1. To [isolate] where you believe the good target pin pointed to, raise the coil up and hover above the target to isolate it: do a kinda 'Sov wiggle'...see the Sovereign Forum to help explain that.
2. Get that small 6" CTX coil...it's a killer in trash.

Good Hunting

 

[Bill_S]

In the trashy areas I hunt there is not much that falls into that range that is good either. Screw caps, can slaw, etc. I have found silver rings in that area too but not very often. Now once you start talking deep targets its different. I have found deep wheats and even silver that will bounce around in that area. Also if you have two coins close or junk near by it can throw off your ID. Sometimes you can get an idea by the size of the pinpoint too. If it pinpoins real big and I can raise the coil a foot off the ground and still get it I usually pass.

 

[Mason Jarr]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. It gives me some additional confidence to know that some of you more experienced CTXers find junk at those numbers, too. I'm headed to an older site today to give it a go. So I'll just dig what I hear and learn as I go. I know I'll eventually get it figured out.....at least to a level where I'm digging less "junky" targets in those numbers.

 

[sonnydigs]

As Bill_S said, pinpoint and see the size of the object..
Then hit it at 90 degrees after pinpointing, if the target moved there is a great chance it's trash...
Good luck..
HH........
Sonny

 

[Des D]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. It gives me some additional confidence to know that some of you more experienced CTXers find junk at those numbers, too. I'm headed to an older site today to give it a go. So I'll just dig what I hear and learn as I go. I know I'll eventually get it figured out.....at least to a level where I'm digging less "junky" targets in those numbers.

Mason,

Don't get too fixated on ID numbers.
They can lie at times, especially if a target is deeper than say, 8"
Angle is also a factor, slanted targets can cause erroneous numbers as the coil passes it can hit irregularly!

There is some 'good news' though >
>>> While the FE values can flucuate, the CO ID's can maintain what was observed [on first pass] that alerted you to the find in the first place.

Good Hunting

Des D

 

[JamesM]

Another tip that might help...When pinpointing, especially with the 11" coil, pass the coil completely over the target until the pinpoint tone disappears, continue to hold the pinpoint trigger, and pass completely over the target as you swing back in the other direction. When you swing back over the target again, you will notice that the tone has become very "narrow", and in fact, you won't even get the tone unless the center of the coil is directly over the target. When my CTX was new, I was having trouble pinpointing, and just happened to reread that portion of the user manual, and it explains it.