A Newcomers Experience: 11" coil vs. 17" coil

[Stogger]

As a newcomer to both metal detecting and the CTX 3030, here are some of my experiences comparing the 11 inch coil to the 17 inch coil, What I have listed below are searches in the same beach area using the same settings. From what I read, most of this is well-known general knowledge; so what I actually experienced just confirms what I've read.

-With the 11 inch coil I was able to swing for hours without a break (6-7 hours usually)

 

[GKMan]

Hi Stogger
Thanks for typing up your observations so far. I never was one to pay much attention to the depth gauge but your actual vs expected depth seems extreme...What type of terrain are you detecting?

 

[nolanation]

There are many threads on the target size to depth reading ratio. Being that all depth is indicated on a coin size target. A can size object will read shallower than it is, a pencil eraser will read deeper than it is. This goes for all detectors with depth readout. Don't pay so much attention to the depth readings anyway, you will stress yourself out. Listen to the tones. The CTX clearly indicates when something is deep/really small, or shallow/really big. I have never had any signal loss issues with the CTX, but you are new to detecting, and there is a good chance you are experiencing iron falsing. Good luck.

 

[ChicagoJohn]

Great information! I can imaging that use 17 inch coil all day would kill me. I think 17 inch coil would be useful for normal sweeping on corn or large old field to find anything like Civil war, etc.

 

[Stogger]

Detecting on sand beach. The depth indication was with coins.

Hi Nolan, can you describe the difference you hear between deep/small targets vs targets on the surface or larger ones? Thanks for the info; and I'll read more on iron falsing...thanks.

 

[GKMan]

Stogger, you may want to run some air tests to get a sense of what you can expect... They aren't a replacement for real world experience, but they will help you to learn what to expect

 

[Stogger]

Hi Gary, I've tried some air tests, but without looking at the depth reading. These come out very clear with the 17"...and it is surprising how far away the target can be for the detector to pick something up. When lying on the surface, everything registers about 3-4 inches under. I plan to do some testing by burying some coins and nails, etc to see what happens. I'd really like to know how to "hear" the differences between small-large, deep-shallow targets. I need to practice with this as well.

I think I finally got bottle tops and pull tabs down. These consistently jump around the screen. Also, I'm just learning how using target trace, you can see more than one item in the ground that are in close proximity or on top on one another (with the 11" coil). I haven't tried target trace with 17" coil yet.

Thanks again for your (and everyone's) advice!!

 

[GKMan]

Well shallow really big is easy... Do the "can test" just pick up the coil six or eight inches or so off the ground and if you are still picking up a screaming signal you probably can pass it buy... Of course it is possible there is a coin sitting on the surface, but that depends on what type of hunting you are doing... I am simply curious what nolanation's answer is for a clear way to indicate that an object is deep and really small (which is probably more important for the beach hunters out there). my guess would be something to do with using pinpoint sizing, instead of normal....

 

[CT Todd]

Interesting,
I have never swung the 17" but my buddy GK swings nothing but. We seem to do about the same for finds when we hunt together. I've read all these posts and since I have no hands on knowledge of the 17 the only comment I have is that I regularly dig coin size targets in the 6-10" range with the stock coil and bigger targets like shoe buckles at 10-12. I have spent a lot of time with big after market coils on Explorers and Etracs through the years. They of course have there place just as the 6" has a place. There is I'm sure a very good reason the stock coil is exactly what it is. When you cover more ground you have more under your coil good things and bad at any time which can affect lots of things like how much sensitivity you can run and stay stable. There is no dought in my mind that the 17" is deeper but the fact is 95% of the time your not digging deeper then me and the downside of bumping the brush and corn stalks with a sore arm all day leaves me thinking I'd try it only in nice flat hay fields. I will stick with the stock coil and I own a 6" for big nail piles at cellar holes.
IMHO

 

[Stogger]

Last weekend (5 July) went out for a long 9 hours on the beach. Can't believe the detector battery, and wireless module battery lasted that long with plenty to spare.

This time the depth readings on both 11" and 17" were more in the ballpark of actual target. I spent the time digging everything (almost) just to get a feel for the detector. Bottle caps and flip tabs bounce around as advertised. Lots of pennys at 12-37. This time lots of quarters as well. The beach was newly sanded so didn't expect much even though it was 4Th of July weekend. Except for below, nothing significant this trip.

One of the things I hoped to do with this detector was to actually help someone find something significant they lost. Well about 0200 on the beach by myself, this guy comes up and explained he was toast...he lost his girlfriend/fiance's ring. One of the beachcomber tractor drivers told this fella I was metal detecting (about half a mile down the beach) and maybe I'd help him out. Being from Baltimore I was naturally leery, but followed the guy. Way in the distance I saw one person who was his girlfriend. When we arrived, I could see their footprints covering a 10'x10' area searching for the ring. I started a good 5' outside where they thought they lost it, and it took about 3 minutes to find the ring (11" coil). The ring was a family pass-down and had some nice diamonds to boot. It rang in at a consistent loud clear 12-13 and gave the deep sound (that in my case usually means a piece of Al foil). The young couple was much happier...less tension, and all of that. ...that made the trip worthwhile to me.

Also found a 10$ bill.

 

[CT Todd]

What did the Ten ring up at? Good going

 

[Stogger]

This past weekend tried detecting in the shallow water surf. 11 inch works well. The 17 inch works extremely well HOWEVER, targets were so deep I could not dig them. I'm still learning how to recover targets in the surf. I was able to recover targets using the 11 inch that also has more accurate pinpointing. But I need to have a lot more practice before doing this with the 17 inch. If anyone knows of good tips for recovering in the surf/shallow water near ocean, I'm all ears! To me this was harder than it looks. I had difficulty in locating dig points even when the target pinpoints well.

 

[jerseyjim]

If you want to have very accurate pinpointing try the 6" coil. I tried it for the first time today. I was able to hear the coins between the nails. I found an Indian head the first half hour out. I love it.
Jim

 

[Stogger]

Thanks Jim. Some other detectorist I bumped into mentioned that as well.

 

[GKMan]

Well with the six inch you're going to have terrific pinpointing, but I believe you are talking about the target separation abilities which people wow about a lot. Due to its size it should preform that well

It's not for me but you may want to consider the new coiltek coil that should be out very shortly, if it isn't already.