305 and nickels

[Trawler]

[size=medium]I've had my 305 for a couple weeks now and have enjoyed "learning" its ways. So far I've found about $2 in modern change, mostly in pennies, and that's without having gone to a promising detecting spot yet (though I shall soon-very soon-be going to a mid 1800's homestead site). I have been "practicing" alot in my yard, and have discovered that my 305 DOES NOT like nickels. Any suggestions as to what I can do to make my 305 better at detecting nickels? Is anyone else experiencing the same shortcomings with their 305? When it does detect nickels, it gives the same VDI number as a pull tab, as can be expected. But in experimenting, I've found that by using the 99 tone mode, the nickels give an ever-so-slightly different tone than the pull tabs. I'm eagerly awaiting any responses from other forum members, and would love to hear ANYTHING they have to share about their 305s. Oh, and I will be sure to post an entry about my detecting trip to the 1800's homestead site as soon as I have gone. It sounds promising, as the land is owned by my boss's neighbor, and is allegedly one of the very first homesteads here in the Coos bay, Or. area, and its existence is only evident by a couple of old apple trees, or so I've been told. The owner has apparently detected the site before, but that was 30+ years ago, and I'm hoping my 305 can do better than any detector he may have been using back then.[/size]

 

[BarnacleBill]

Please explain what "does not like nickels" means. If you do an air test with the stock coil it should yield similar results to the X30 in the following link:

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?55,241421,241421#msg-241421

As nickels are low conductivity, the following X305 hunt, but in this case using the HF 6 inch DD coil shows that the X305 does quite well on low conductors. Note the number of small low conductors in the photos that were found.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?55,942939,943282#msg-943282

If you want maximum response to nickels then one of the HF 18.75khz coils will do it. I don't really concentrate on hunting coins but wading for gold jewelry, which aside from Prospecting is probably one of the more challenging facets of the hobby where sensitivity to nickels and similar low conductors is paramount. For their ability to CLEANLY reject iron and maintain high sensitivity to low conductors the X-Terras are hard to beat. The X305 is going to put a whuppin' on many higher priced detectors for finding gold jewelry when mated with one of the HF coils.

HH
BarnacleBill

 

[Goes4ever]

if your on a real old site like you describe dig everything above iron. I have had deep V nickels come in as low as #8 before, they do not always register 12. If you have time just dig all the signals and you maybe surprised and what comes up!

 

[Trackerman]

Barnacle Bill is right . I Had the stock 7.5klhz coil and it is a great coil. Did hit some Nickels likes dimes and quarters tha most. But recently got the 18.75klhz coil and it really loves nickels quarters and pennys some dimes too and jewlry of corse. I wiil stick with my 18.75klhz concentrc i like it alot it hits coins well plus you get jewlry good luck. The 305s a great machine best for the money.

 

[xwyokid]

I don't know much. But...I do know my 5x10 loves nickels. Using the 5x10 I found more nickels in a very short period than I ever found with the old MXT, that I owned for almost 5 years.

 

[Jack Flynn]

I feel very sure you are targeting nickels, just not digging themDon't pay any attention to the TID and just dig by tone. Like G4e said dig evrything above iron, it will pay off!

 

[Trawler]

[size=medium]Barbacle Bill: by "does not like nickles" I meant that when I put a nickle on the ground, my machine will not even bleep on them most of the time, and when it does, the signal is not strong. Plus, the VDI numbers bounce around. On pennies, dimes, and quarters, it gets a strong signal. I was just thinking that maybe I need to adjust the sensitivity or something. When I have the cash, i will definitely get an 18.75 coil, as well as some other sized 7.5 coils. But for now, I have to make do with the stock coil. And Goes4Ever, you better bet that i will be digging all signals at that old site. I WILL be detecting on all metal mode for sure. Anyway, thanks to all for your responses, and I will give everyone an update on my old homestead detecting adventure. I intend to go tomorrow-the weather has been beautiful here on the Oregon Coast, reminding me of why I put up with the rainy winters.-Scott, aka Trawler (I am a commercial fisherman, hence the Trawler moniker)[/size]

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Very god point Bill. I forgot that the 305 takes the high frequency coils. that with the ground balance that was added to it makes it a terriffic jewellery hunter.
Mick Evans.