Analog/Digital detectors.

[Neil]

Let me start by saying Ive no electronics experience. I was wondering if the Sov was converted over to a fully digital detector(I believe the Etrac and Xterra series are?) would we still have the same detector except maybe in a smaller and maybe lighter package? Does the analog part have anything to do with performance or is digital merely a newer way of doing the electronics?
My F75 sure has a small and lightweight electronics pod and it sure has alot of adjustability(compared to say the CZ series), so Im thinking the Sov would benefit from the same?

 

[Critterhunter]

The Xterra uses some analog parts in I think the signal processor from the coil, which is then converted to digital. I suspect the Sovereign is digital in it's on board processing and to generate the multifrequencies. It's just using analog controls instead of a computer screen. Minelab even says the ground filtering is digital.

 

[Neil]

Yes Ive read that about the digital filtering the sov uses for filtering. See I didnt know that about the Xterra, thought that would have been all digital as I was thinking the Explorers/Etracs are as well. I guess I am equating the knobs with analog and thats not truely the case? Ive got to do some reading up on this to understand it better.

How about this, why digital versus analog? why one over the other for detectors?

 

[Critterhunter]

Because with digital you don't have to spend more money on controls/switches as they are done on screen. That's one plus, and of course more can be done with features via software. However, IMO if you run too much of the signal through software to produce an ID or audio it sterilizes things and you lose information on target traits. Analog still has pros and digital still has cons, and vise versa.