Classic 3SL As A Relic Detector

[Ronk]

I don't remember in the original data for the Classics if they were advertised as not only a Coin Detector,but Also a Relic detector even at the Frequency of 6.59 KHZ. I lost track of the nickles,bullets,small brass buttons and other types of brass that I have found with my C3SL which has the Mr Bill Modifications.For some reason this thing sure loves Bullets and Nickles! Since it was already Modified when I bought it I can't compare with an Un-Modified Classic 3SL...Only what I have read on the Forums. I always read about Higher Frequency being better for relics and small brass and Nickles. I've had detectors between 5-15Khz and I can't remember finding that many nickles or bullets or small buttons and brass targets with Those detectors.The 2 bullets I found today...22 cal. are very small and the Classic easily nailed them but they were very green from corrosion.I have found some very small brass targets and tiny brass buttons. I wonder why the 6.59 Khz on mine is working like a higher frequency detector or does the frequency really matter that much?! Maybe my Classic is a little hotter with the mods. My ground is about Moderate and a few hot rocks here and there.

RonK

 

[Tom Slick]

I don't think the difference in frequencies between 5 & 15 really make that much difference in picking up gold, nickel or lead. I think that manual or auto ground balance and time spent with a particular machine have a greater impact than the frequency. I've used and still use White's detectors with frequencies from 6.59 kHz (IDX Pro w/Mr. Bill Mods.), M6 & MXT Pro at 15 kHz to the V3 with its 3 frequencies 2,5 - 7.5 - 22.5, One thing I'm pretty sure about is that for the most part, the Classic III is a bit hotter than the IDX or IDX Pro. I don't know if white's touted the Classic III as a relic machine or not but one thing's for sure, They work very well for relics as well as coins. I don't think anyone has made a better detector for hunting iron infested sites than the Classic III, Classic IDX & IDX Pro.

 

[Ronk]

I forgot to mentioned that the very tiny targets were found while using a 5.5 inch search coil.The Classic 3SL does not have a meter and I don't need one on That detector.I have been using this detector for a little over 15 years and I just about know if the target is worth digging or not. Most of the time I run the disc just high enough to knock out the small iron and sometimes foil.There are some very small gold targets that I might miss even at Foil rejection.Then other times I can get 2 or 3 more inches using depth by using the BlackSand position even though I will detect a little more trash,It won't miss any gold or other tiny jewelery or small items.
It DOES pay to Know your detector like you said to know what it's telling you.That makes a World of difference.I see it on the forums all the time where someone buys a detector based on the experience of someone else and then if it didn't perform like the other person.then they trade or sell it for something else.There are a lot of Great detectors out there now for every purpose and one detector won't do it all but there are some very good General Purpose detectors that would work great for the average user.All of this talk about "You Have To Have a Certain Frequency For A Certain Type Of Target Or You Won't Find Anything" or "If You Don't Have A Meter You Won't Know What's Under Your Coil" I don't pay much attention to!
Now IF you are a Nugget Hunter You will probably need a Higher Frequency for the Small stuff.But after using this Classic 3SL with the 6.59 KHZ and a Hot little coil the targets I am finding are just as small as the Higher Frequency detectors are finding(Not including Gold nuggets),because I don't prospect for nuggets. and I'm NOT digging up nails and those pesky older crimped bottle caps to get to the Good Stuff! All through the years everyone that has either Posted,Written,or on Video,or has published that "You HAVE TO Learn Your Detector To Get The MOST Out Of It" are ALL 100% Correct No Matter what detector it is or what it cost. I've noticed that there are more newbies out there today than there ever has been and IF they take the time to really learn their detector I Believe they will be very successful with it!
Just because someone claimed to find a coin at xx inches with a certain brand that doesn't mean you will do the same thing. These days on the forums people are so obsessed with DEPTH when purchasing a new detector that they rarely ask about how well does it work in iron,target separation,etc...
It's been said a million times by me and others that are probably More Good Shallow targets masked by trash than what people have already found.For Those kind of targets I don't think Frequency will matter too much.Small coils will help for the most part as well as Fast Recovery detectors.People are so Caught up in Depth and Frequency these days that that's all that matters to them. That's fine with me! No problem! To each his own! I am just saying to give that new detector a chance and take the time to learn it and I think it Will pay off. It Does help to have optional coils,especially Small ones to work in the trash.
My Classic 3SL Modified and wearing a Hot little 5.5 inch Ferret coil is Deadly in trash and iron.I don't sweat the small stuff because my C3SL Finds it all the time with 6.59Khz.

HH!

RonK

 

[Tom Slick]

I absolutely agree with everything you said. Have you used the BM 350 coil? Now you're really talking about plucking the goodies from among the trash. Decent depth too. I'm not so thrilled with the Blue Max 4"x6" shooter coil. It's good in trash but the depth suffers compared to the BM 350 and especially the BM 5.3.

 

[pinecreekkid]

I agree with you too Ronk. I have only been detecting for a little over a year now with a IDX Classic that I bought from a freind of mine. It has a BM 950 coil and when I get into those trashy areas it will drive you crazy (probably some of it has to do with lack of experiance). So i have been wanting to get a smaller search coil but was unsure of what to buy. I was wondering if the BM 350 coil would work on the Classic IDX SL and where I could find them for sale? I looked on Kellyco,Ebey and Whites but could not find the BM 350. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ronk]

I have never tried the BM 350 because several years ago I ordered one from someone online but they never delivered and I couldn't get my money back.I never did try to buy another one because the 5.5 inch Ferret coil (which has been out of production for several years now) is doing a Great job for me separating the Good from the Bad! I don't know if you have heard or read about "MONTE" on the forums but he is Very Knowledgeable about the Classics.Just do a search for his name on the forums and you'll find everything you need to know about the Whites Classic models.
One thing IS true...You DO need a small coil for the trashy areas.I also have the BM-950 coil but I use it mainly for more open areas to cover more ground in less trashy areas or for larger targets or larger relics or maybe Cache Hunting. Even with my small coil I can trace my old satellite cable of course it's not buried very deep but I can raise the coil about a foot off the ground and still get a good loud signal but a lot detectors can probably do the same thing.
Maybe "MONTE" will chime in on this thread and give you a few pointers on your Classic IDX. I haven't used That model but it works similar to the Classic 3SL. The BM 950 just won't get the job done in dense trash but in open areas and less trashy it gets very good depth on coin sized and larger targets.I never did buy the 4"x6" shooter coil because I've never heard enough good reports on it to sway me to buy one. I haven't searched in a long time for a BM-350 coil because the 5.5" coil I have has That job taken. You might want to keep looking on some of the Metal Detector Classifieds or Post there that you are looking for one or IF you have something to trade for one,you might find one that way.If I run across one I'll let you know!
The Classic Series detectors will do great IF you take your time and learn it.You didn't mention If you have the manual for it but it can be downloaded for free.Keep us posted on your progress and I hope you find lots of goodies with your Classic!!!
HH..

RonK

 

[Tom Slick]

The BM 350 comes up on Ebay about every other week. They usually go for about $60 - $65, They came in both white and black.