17" coil....yea or nay?

[Dan(NM)]

Okay I have a harness coming my way this week for my CTX due to a bum shoulder. I'm considering adding the 17 inch coil to my arsenal, will I gain that much additional depth on coin sized targets? This is for those who have used one long enough to compare between 11 and 17...is it worth it or not, thanks.

 

[D&P-OR]

Nay----That Viking ship wasn't worth it to me.

 

[flysar]

I use mine for coverage not added depth.
In my highly mineralized soil I gave up on trying to get more depth with detectors or coils a couple years ago. But what I do like is the coverage whether it's exploring for a school in a field which is long gone, a coastal beach I may visit once a year or covering a soccer field for fresh drops. I don't use it all of the time but it can be handy. Just the other day I used it in a Rodeo Arena to see if I could find one old or interesting item. Most days I'm very content swinging the 11 but sometimes the 17 is my tool of choice. Probably the same reason I own a 15 for my Equinox and the 3x18 cleansweep coil for my Mojave.
I sold my CTX with 17 about 18 mos ago in favor of the Equinox. Within months I got another CTX and most recently added the 17; I just like options.
The Minelab Pro-swing is definitely a shoulder saver, rarely leave home without it.

 

[IDXMonster]

Since I started using Minelab machines on Memorial Day 2015, I have found 505 silver coins with them. 4 out of 5 of those silver coins have been found with the 17” coil on the CTX. Every single one of these coins was found on public land. Many of these coins were found after I had hunted some of these places before with machines other than the CTX. You do the math.
COULD these coins have been found with any other coil or machine? I will never know for absolutely sure, but I could assume some of them could. All I look at is the RESULTS. I wholeheartedly believe the 17” coil allows for an initial hit that draws your attention enough to investigate it. When the vast majority of these coins are 8-10” deep, any advantage counts. Just make sure your sweep speed isn’t too slow, especially if in Combined. Too slow and it’ll never even trigger the audio on a deep coin, or it will just “thunk”. It seems 50 tone is less prone to this...
As always, just my opinion....

 

[Dan(NM)]

Thank's for the replies guys, just ordered the 17"....coming back to the world of the CTX after a year of hunting relics with the Nox...time to get back to hunting for old deep coins again.

 

[D&P-OR]

Well Dan-----Be sure & extend the shaft out long enough that you are not stepping on the heel of that 17" monster.----And do let us know when you will be scheduled for shoulder surgery. ----A 5.3 lb detector (with stock coil) and then adding this thing out there on the end of the stick when you already have a bum shoulder should prove "interesting".----A bungy system may help you a little if you don't mind being tied up like a dog on a leash.------What do I know though--I've only been swinging these Minelabs with the various coils since they started making 'em.--------Del

 

[bklein]

Yeah even with the harness you still have to swing the detector mass sideways and your elbow now will start complaining.

 

[sube]

Dan I did buy the harness also I have not used it yet but will have some places in mine .But it's like going to war putting on the harness and strapping that garbage can lid on ( I get the uneasy feeling ever body is watching this crazy guy) same feeling doing a curb strip at a crowded intersection . sube

 

[D&P-OR]

You got that right sube!----It's the torque of that monstrosity that is a lot of the problem.-----I did get just a little bit more depth with it in my ground than with the 11" stock coil---but crap---all the other problems & what you had to go through to use it---just was no way worth it.------Del---- QUOTE="bklein, post: 2259556, member: 19586"]
Yeah even with the harness you still have to swing the detector mass sideways and your elbow now will start complaining.
[/QUOTE]

 

[LTimedigger]

Any larger double D coil can be expected to provide about an extra 1" of depth. And if you swing it in heavy trash, the harness will be the least of your problems. But since you've bought it try this. Find spots in say old parks where the trash is much lighter then try putting it in manual if falsing is manageble and let us know what you come up with.

 

[LawrencetheMDer]

Had may CTX 3030 w 17" coil for 3 years now and favor the 17" coil for the added coverage. My coin finds increased about 7% vs standard 12" coil. Heavy, but built arms up to swing it 5 - 7 hrs/day in surf. But, had in shop 2x for water damage repair and afraid to put in water now because of expired warranty. Now it is my back up machine since I got Equinox 800 w 15" coil. Love both but I think 800 has edge when it comes to small gold. But I'm definitely a big coil kind of guy.

 

[ironman200081]

For sure. Mainly for coverage, the gain in death is not noticeable. I would say where you dig out in the middle of nowhere, you will benefit from The increased coverage. Be sure to wear your harness. I tore my elbow up not wearing a harness soon enough.