A significant find

[coppersnipe]

Last week I learned a lesson on the C$ in the "hunted out" city park I sometimes visit after work. Instead of passing up a signal that was decidedly "iffy" (low-mid and mid tones with numbers all over the place, but with an infrequent high-tone 20's reading, pinpointing depth in the 30's or 40's), I cut a bit larger horseshoe-shaped plug, flipped it back, and swept the hole again. This time I got a decent high 20's/low 30's reading with a high tone. About 6-7 inches down, I pulled out a nice wheatie. Ten minutes later, another one under similar circumstances. The next time out, I followed the same procedure on a questionable signal and managed to snake out a 1902 Indian head penny that was buried more than 10 inches deep. I've subsequently found more old wheaties this way.

So, although I haven't found anything more valuable than these pennies so far, the lesson I've learned is significant to me. I've learned how to interpret (and trust) what the C$ is telling me about deeper targets buried in this somewhat trashy park. I've been running with foil and zinc notched out, threshold at around -25, sometimes -30, but with the sensitivity up between 7 and 9. Probably the wet soil hasn't hurt anything either. But whereas I used to dig only the signals that were "good" (repeatable and sweepable in multiple directions), now I am inclined to dig any signal that shows up in the 20's or 30's with an occasional high tone, as long as I can get it to repeat once in awhile while trying to narrow it down. Removing a few inches of sod off the top makes a difference.

One other thing I have noticed - it's kinda irritating, but worth asking about: the C$ will occasionally lock up on me if I hold down the pinpoint button too long trying to narrow the search area. This forces me to "reboot" it. Do others have this problem once in awhile?

Sorry for the long-ish post - but I feel as though I've experienced a major "breakthrough" in my understanding of the C$ and wanted to share it for what it's worth.

Happy hunting!

-Rod

 

[Tom E IL]

Good info I had my C$ lock up on me once the sec time out.I had to pull the bats out to get it to power down.

 

[Bill Ladd]

That's pretty much how it is with the C$ after lots a practice. One of the things I like to do is go to a place that's either very trashy, or is called hunted out by others. I'll crank up my C$ & just listen for targets like you described..."iffy's". Could be a jumper, or just a target I get a 1 direction +. This means I could dig up a bent square nail, a hot rock, or also something like a deep button or small coin like an indian or 1/2 dime. To me it's well worth it. I don't fret if an iffy signal goes away (usually small iron, small rock). I fill the hole & dig another......
Like you experienced when a small coin comes out it's all worth it & feels good.......
On the pinpoint thing, I wonder if your "detuning" it? Some people do this trying to narrow down the signal, but it does not work well on the C$. Just a thought. I sweep over the target from diff. angles. Look for highest #, then if my finger gets tired of holding the pad, I wait till I'm off of it, let go & push again.....