2 Questions

[Anonymous]

Do you recommend a WOT and if so, why, if not why not? I have several sites not too trashy. One is a 200 yr old homesite. Bound to have lots of deeps that show up as iffies right now. Typically in the 8+ inch range. Also another favorite site, not too trashy, has produced 2 cent piece, 40's silver, 1/2 reale and large cents. Would the WOT punch down better than stock, how does it pinpoint etc. I'm fairly experienced and productive with the explorer in stock trim. If the WOT is deeper, sensitive and pinpoints well, I'll add one. If it's no big deal, I'll pass for now.
Second question: What about those disappearing targets? Last weekend, three times I'd get a good strong signal to dig and once the hole is open, nothing. Anywhere. I have had wheaties sort of disappear out of the hole, or just give a weak signal that seems to come back once it 'rests' for a moment or so. This is different. A good strong signal, scanned multiple directions that seems to vanish. Any ideas?
Thanks and HH

 

[Anonymous]

Keep digging, and get an X1 probe <IMG SRC="/forums/images/csflag.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="::">) if its going off somethings down there

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Steve,
I can't say much about the WOT other than it's a killer coil. Deep and sensitive. I've been told its really for beach and low trash area...but several guys use it regularly in parks and swear by it....My plans are to buy either the X-12 or the WOT...maybe both.
The second question is simple. Lets say a coin is 7" down. You dig a 6" plug of soil so the coin is under 1" of soil. My Explorer will only air test to about 4"~5" so any coin with more than 5" of air between it and the coil won't give a signal. I think thats what you are experiencing. I have had several coins "disapear with my Sovreign because of the airspace between the coin and the coil.
I think the length of time the coin has been in the ground (developing whats known as a halo)will affect this situation also
I'm not 100% on this, but I have been told this is why targets disapear....it sounds reasonable to me. I do know the Explorer is a little better than the Sov (FBS tech vs BBS tech)about air testing.
This is why the X-1 probe is so important. You can stick it in the hole to help confirm the target is there. Obviously the coil is too big to do this. If your real experimental and conditions allow a large hole....try enlarging the hole the next time this happens so the coil will fit closer to the target and see if it will Re-appear.
Remember----don't do it if your going to make a big mess where someone would take offense at a large hole.
HH STEVE

 

[Anonymous]

I have had several like that with my CZ5 and there would be iron in with the coin. When you move the dirt around the iron can mask the coin. If the signal disappears listen for a null or use ferrous mode with an open screen to hear any iron. With the CZ I would move the dirt around until I heard the coin or remove the iron and find the coin. Make sure you are not getting false signals off of iron to the side too.
Rick

 

[Anonymous]

a periscope is nice to have as well

 

[Anonymous]

Steve -
Vanishing signals can be a couple of things... Small, subsurface trash is a good example - stuff like that can seem to disappear. I have more than once dug for small rivets and the like while expecting a deep target.
Iron can rust and create a halo that, when disturbed, no longer will produce a signal. If you see orange soil coming out of the hole, I would rescan and see if you have lost the target.
Some good targets just disappear once a plug is cut - the target is still down there, it just goes away (no, I haven't an explaination for this one).
A good pinpointer (a handheld probe, an X1, or a Periscope) can save you a lot of valuable time. On a quarter, the handheld probe is good to .5 an inch, the X1 is good to three inches, and a Periscope will take you up to 14" down with a 1.5" radius. All of them will save you a lot of frustration.
The WOT... The 15" coil will let you eat up ground at a faster rate. Do not expect a huge improvement in depth unless you are on the beach, but you can expect the deeper targets to respond very cleanly. The mid-range power will help you find the harder targets and you will be suprised at the number of coins on edge or nearly one edge that you dig.
This coil can, however, wear a person out. If you decide to get one, check back in and someone can explain how to rig a bungee cord harness for you.
The WOT, with practice, can be pretty effective in moderate trash. Pinpointing is really a larger issue than target seperation. There is a lot of ground under the coil and being able to get pinpointed is very important. I use an edging method which is described in the XS manual and once I am close, I try to use the pinpoint button.
Tim