Air test Vs ground test

[Metalman]

This is probably a silly question from a newcomer,

but do detectors have a longer range through soil than they exhibit doing air test?

 

[BarnacleBill]

Yes & no. There are many variables which determine that, and can easily turn into one of those "angels on the head of a pin" discussions. That said, I'll probably regret this, most of the time further in air, but "the exception confirms the general rule". Dang!, just missed a hat trick of cliches.

HH
BarnacleBill

 

[Jackpine Savage]

In the damp sand at clean low mineral beaches (or shallow wading) depths exceeding air tests are quite common. I laughed when I read on one of the tech forums where, according to the "experts", it is impossible for a detector to pick up targets beyond air test results.

Soil type, amount of moisture and a host of other factors affect detection depth.

Tom

 

[Jackpine Savage]

Halo!.. Thats a fine kettle of fish!... Hat trick!


Tom

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Might be applicable...Many pros and cons depending on the ground we are hunting in and the particuliar unit we are using so in the long run might give one a ballpark number but for the most part useless. In the field with coins buried many years is where it counts..Hunting with an expeienced detectorist and listening to one of his deepie finds before he digs would give you a more accurate idea of how deep your unit will go...

 

[rwsnc]

There use to be an argument that said the longer a coin is in the ground the more likely it would create a "halo" effect which meant that it appeared larger than it actually was. Since it appeared larger, it could be detected deeper.

I don't know if that argument still holds true.

 

[BarnacleBill]

n/t

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Especially with copper coins which leach into ground..Heck once found a 2 cent piece that appeared to be wet and formed a green patina that made the coin approx. 3 times as big to be located. Silver coins on the other hand have a small halo at best...