Accessory happy

[TURNMASTER]

Boy we really are an accessory happy crowd. I can see this in myself and the rest of you addicts. Witness the posts referencing the 705 Gold and a recent topic on the Xterra pro coil. Really you could look at any 24 hour time frame in most brand forums and find the same thing. Many of us have at least 3 coils for our Xterra and at least one other machine. Diggers 1 or 2? Pinpointers I have one but some guys have 2 or 3 or 4 till they found one they liked best or was the most rugged. I recently got an Explorer SE to go with my Xterra 705 and its 4 coils. It only took 2 outings to decide that I NEEDED another coil, a smaller one to get in to the trash better. It arrived today took me 30 miniuts untill I could get to installing it, had to get dinner going. I must have a better set of head phones as mine are not that good. Hmmm, I guess I am not doing that bad, I did sell my LandStar today, that keeps me at 2 MDs. Well there worse things. I could spend my time and money chasing women (don't think my wife would approve).

It is amazing how I justify my addiction. Now if you don't mind I NEED to go look for a new digger.

Can't wait till I have saved enough to get that Xterra pro coil.
Jeff

 

[xwyokid]

I was the same at first. Had about 5 coils for the X70 numerous pinpointers and digging stuff. Finally narrowed it down too 2 coils, one Lesche digger, Predator shovel and a Garrett PP. Everything else was sold and never missed.

 

[TURNMASTER]

Oh I may get there. When I find "my" perfect combination and favorites. Untill then I am preparing to find different combinations that work in varying conditions. I do want better headphones and digger though.

Tough call though. Xterra for gold and coins with coils for both and the Explorer for deeper and trashier. I will probably sit here for a good while. But don't hold me to that.

If I could make the living I do now I would do this stuff full time.
Jeff

 

[7centsworth]

I only have two coils , but want about three more. I just got a lesche and i really like it , but I have two other diggers also.

 

[mapper65]

I'm fairly new to detecting and have kept things pretty simple. X-705, stock coil, two diggers and a Garrett PP. I've been kicking the idea around of a 2nd coil but the more I read the more I'm thinking that the stock coil may be my best choice. I mainly coin shoot and can see myself detecting on the beach a few times a year. Any thoughts as to why I would benefit from a 2nd coil and which coil would be for me?

 

[Digger]

If I were limited to two coils for my X-TERRA, and one of them was the stock 9-inch concentric at 7.5 kHz, the one I'd buy would be the 6-inch DD at 18.75 kHz. As a coin hunter myself, I like the ability to separate targets better due to the smaller size and DD design. Better separation means finding those coins being masked by adjacent targets. Those that were left behind by guys using their stock coil. And better separation also means digging less trash. Less digging of trash means more time to spend digging coins. If I were to take it to the beach, it might take me a long time to cover much ground. But again, the DD design would better handle the wet sand / dry sand transition. And the higher frequency is more sensitive to small jewelry. JMHO HH Randy

 

[7centsworth]

I would get the 6 inch dd coil also . That is the second one I have, and I have found alot of coins I missed with the stock coil. It has found alot that other detectors missed also.

 

[bubber]

Digger, I'm confused, using the HF 6 inch coil, woulldn't you have to dig everything? I thought that frequency didn't have but one sound?

 

[Digger]

The coil size, shape or frequency doesn't have anything to do with the number of tones any given target will produce. That is adjustible via the programming pads on the control housing. In Coin mode, depending on the model of X-TERRA you have, you could adjust it for one tone, two tones, three tones, four tones or multiple tones. Multiple tones means a separate tone for each notch segment and the 305, 505, 70 and 705 offer this option. For example, on the 70 and 705, you could set it for 28 tones. The 6-inch DD "sounds" the same on targets as any of the other coils. But the smaller size allows you to separate targets better because it analyzes less soil at any one time. Smaller footprint, so to speak. In addition, the detection area of a DD designed coil is narrower than a concentric. This allows for better target separation on adjacent targets. Think of a DD coil as being a capital letter D on the right side, and a reverse image D on the left, back to back. When placed back to back, the rounded sections make the shape of the coil. And the two straight parts down the middle provide the "detection area". HH Randy

 

[David]

The 6 x 10"(really 5.5 x 9.5") HF DD is also good for doing this type of separation work. But the 6" HF DD has a smaller footprint 'both ways'. As it is about 3.5" shorter, and also has a more of a narrower knife blade thinner field than the wider(thicker) field of the 6 x 10" according to nero_design(Marco) as he has a simulated picture of the force field of both of these coils. And I think both coils have the about the same depth on coin sized objects as well.
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?55,677361,677361#msg-677361

Also as Digger(Randy) has said in the past, the bigger round 10.5" DD's (with a much poorer target separation) will get about 40% more depth on coin sized objects than the smaller DD.

I have no clue why someone at Minelab said that the 6" MF CC was best for target separation, when they are wrong because the 6" HF DD is better. We would rather have a 6" LF DD but a HF is all that is available at the moment. Barnacle Bill said this 6" HF DD has not much trouble dealing with 'iron' so it is suffecient for coin hunting. To deal with 'iron' keep the Tracking 'ON'(until a good target is heard then switch it off for pinpointing) was a tip I heard, also the sensitivity down if necessary.
"6 Concentric 7.5 kHz Coil All X-TERRA series detectors Water proof--If there are coins and relics hiding amongst iron junk, this coil is the one that will find them. The best X-TERRA coil for target separation."
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?55,1068029,1068029#msg-1068029

On the X-70(5) a person can hunt in All Metal or IMO(in my opinion) perferably Pattern 1 to knock out -8, -6, -4, -2(iron-ferrous), and +48(hotrocks). You can also knock out +2 and +4(aluminum foil) if necessary. Or do as I sometimes do in extremely trashy areas is to knock out everything below +36(aluminum soda-pop cans) or +40 and be a copper and/or silver coin 'only' hunter. You will then lose-reject about all gold jewelry and but some gold coins like the $10(+34) and $20(+3 will be accepted but that is the price to pay for hunting this way. Pattern 2 gives a little bit more flexibility to pick up +8 to +12 gold rings & nickles and also accept some lower conductive older pennies at +28 and above, but some IH cent's and a silver 3 cent comes in at +24 so you have to be carefull and maybe set up a custom Pattern if necessary.

 

[David]

It came up funny at $20(+3 but it was suppose to be +38 for the $20 gold coin above.
Updated TID chart
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?55,1130228,1130230#msg-1130230

 

[Terra1959]

Exactly Jeff...I just love accessories ...lol
I have only just got a new Pistol Probe just to hunt for the few deeper targets that my Garrett Pro Pointer cannot reach...I carry one on each side of my belt.
I have a Lesche but hardly ever use it now as a purpose built plug cutter digs a neater plug - I have 3 of these plug cutters in different sizes.
3 coils for the Xt70
A swingy thing harness that is barely used.
3 sets of ear/ headphones
Numerous trowels metal & plastic, shovels, long handled trowels, picks etc etc.
Oh, and a garrett Ace250 which may get used 3 times a month or so.
Could be worse I suppose, I could collect classic cars or something else really expensive.
Have fun with the new Explorer.

T59

 

[TURNMASTER]

Ya know that the accecories are great additions to a wise hunter. 4 coils for my Xterra and I use 3 regularly, but not the stocker. They all have their purpose. Diggers and shovels all may have different purposes, or be stepping stones to higher quality pieces. I bought that Explorer for different hunting envrioments that I feel do not treat me well with the Xterra.

Truth is; I am still new at this and deciding which machines I like, and suite me best. I like to think I am a quick study though and have been getting a few real good finds. I like to share back when I can.

Coils; that 6" DD and the 5 x 10 DD (6 x10) or whatever it actually is, are great coils and seperate well. The 6" DD bests the 5x10 DD though, for seperation. I believe the 10.5 " MF DD handles iron better, But doesn't get nearly the seperation of the 6" DD or the 5 x 10.

I rarely shut off Tracking, even at a target. I tried that, but I think I was begining to drop targets.

 

[Terra1959]

Jeff,

You and me sound a lot alike.
I almost always hunt in tracking, I figure that I can't GB better than the m.d..
Since putting my 5x10" HF DD coil on I can't go back to a concentric coil .
I also love my 6" HF DD
.. and am almost saved up enough for a new Etrac for hunting deep coins from the 1700's and 1800's.
Happy hunting

T59

 

[David]

Thanks, I have wanted to get one of those round pug cutters also(like the Hole Hog), it does a 3" hole. I have a long handle stand-up bulb-planter(with foot pressure and trigger release) but it is also too small of a diameter also, even though my Pistol Probe is very accurate. I wanted to get one 4" or a bit bigger plug cutter. I wish I knew where to get one?

I have the Minelab off-set digger(like the Lesche digger) and Pistol Probe(PI) which I really love with my X-70 with no interference. But I tried using it with my GP-3000(PI) and it made so much interference that it was unuseable, so I may have to buy a Garrett ProPointer(VLF) also as they advertise it will not interfere with detectors.

I also am going to buy a non-metallic carbon fiber upper straight shaft for my X-70 to keep as much metal away from the coil as possible to prevent senstivity loss and more depth. Anderson Detector Shafts make them. All person really needs the middle shaft in carbon fiber not the whole thing, also 3 pieces is nicer than 2 pieces when disassembled being more compact in a bag or suitcase for travelling. A straight shaft(better than the stock s-bent shaft) is nice because a person can push the lower shaft(which is attached to the coil) all the way up to make the detector shorter and as short as possible also more compact for travelling. The s-bend shaft prevents this lower shaft from being pushed up all the way.

So what is best the best shaft design then?? IMO(in my opinion) it is a carbon fiber 2 piece upper straight shaft(the top half can be aluminum is alright, but the bottom half must be carbon fiber). Where the lower shaft can be pushed all the way up without blockage.

 

[TURNMASTER]

See? Our reasoning is vast and sounds so well thought out. Makes perfect sense to me David. I would like a couple more lowers for my Xterra and Ex.

Jeff

 

[Terra1959]

David,

I made my own plugger from an old stainless steel fishing bait pump (sand worm / yabbie pump)
Also is a pic of one of my hand tools which I made from st. steel tube and timber handle...this is the one I use the most.
happy digging

T59

 

[David]

Good Jeff.

T59, thank you very much for that. I really like the homeade half circle-wood handled one, great idea!