Auto Geb/Auto Track

[galaxy51]

When searching with the Auto GEB switch in the Auto Track position, what happens when I put the detector down while recovering a target? It appears to keep automatically tracking and changing the ground balance even when the detector is not in motion. Many times I have resumed searching and sensed something is wrong, only to look down and find that the Auto GEB switch has become locked from movement of the cord to my headphones that occurred while recovering a target. Apparently the Auto Track tries to adjust the ground balance to mostly air while sitting motionless on the ground and then, after a period, the switch gets moved to the lock position. Once in the locked position it cannot readjust to the ground after resuming a search.
Are my assumptions correct?
If so, after recovering a target in normal circumstances where no unplanned switch change to the locked position has taken place, about how long does it take for my 6000 Sl to correct the ground balance to where it was prior to target recovery?

 

[Monte]

I ask so that I can get a better grip on your gripe.

The 'original' had some glitches with the AutoTrac

 

[galaxy51]

Monte, Nice play on words.

I have the "black box" 6000Di/PRO SL.

I did not consider my motions and those of my metal prod while retrieving a target. Also, I did not consider that at times, when having trouble locating a target, I would use the 6000 while kneeling to relocate the target with the metal prod stuck in the ground nearby. The probabilities are high that most of these "headphone cord moved the switch to lock position" occurrences happened while on my knees and using the 6000's coil to relocate a target. That would be consistent with the cord's movement over that area of the control box.

It looks like you have shed some new light on a mystery!

Now that I have more understanding as to how tracking can effect my detector in different situations, I will try your method of establishing a good ground balance and then lock it in.

Thanks for the detailed explanations of how things work. It really helps me to learn the "how and why" of another person's methods.

 

[Monte]

Once you have pinpointed the particular spot on the ground, toggle it to 'Lock' and that is supposed to 'hold' or 'lock' the GB you have at the time (the one that has auto-tracked while searching).

Then you can set the detector down and make you target retrieval without any outside influence on the Ground Balance.

Then, once the target is recovered and the plug filled, simply stand up and get ready to go, ... by toggling back into the 'Trac' position and let the auto-tracking circuitry do it's thing as you continue to search. None of your motions or moving a trowel or dirt or ??? by the coil during recovery would have affected the set (locked) GB.

Nothing is perfect but you might try this out.

Monte

 

[tab-nabit]

I still have the blue 6000 Di/Pro. Ol blue only gets out of the closet once in awhile now because I bought a handful of others since. Really liked it. The meter was great and effective. I do recall my headset cord getting the toggle switch once in awhile. If I forgot to lock the tracking I would just ground balance again and recheck all the knobs too. Used the stock coil and a smaller one about 4". I kept ol blue because it gave over a decade of good use with no repairs. I put felt washers under the knobs and got the coil covers and it worked ever since.