Classic III SL

[markg]

Classic III SL settings...........

What are the best settings to allow maxium depth and minimum masking in an area where there's little trash, but could be small iron objects in the ground?

 

[Monte]

What are the best settings to allow maxium depth and minimum masking in an area where there's little trash, but could be small iron objects in the ground?

The first thing I'll mention is that the Classic III SL can perform quite well without any modifications, but you can't get full potential out of it unless you do have it modified. I am referring to those done by "Mr. Bill" that add an external Threshold and Ground Balance control. I'll explain shortly.

First, for best performance, set the Frequency Shift at the Factory Preset marker. This is where it should have been during final calibration.

Second, turn the Sensitivity Control to the maximum setting. Forget the factory preset as most of the time (and I am referring to using ALL of the Classic series in a broad-range of site conditions and locations with and without EMI) you will be able to search without any instability. You only need to reduce this control to, when necessary, just to the point where you regain stability. Seldom, and I mean very, very seldom, have I ever had a need to turn any of them down, and even then no more than to the factory Preset marker.

Third, you need to make a decision as to the amount of tolerance you have for a minimum amount of trash, and the desire to deal with good-target masking. There are two ways:

1.. You remove ALL targets, both ferrous and non-ferrous
.... or ....
2.. You use the least amount of Discrimination as you can tolerate.

If you take the #1 approach, you eliminate any target masking by a ferrous or non-ferrous targets. I will often hunt this way, especially when searching a plowed field or open space when in search of any sign of past human activity, or at a beach because digging is easy and I want all good targets, plus the ability to hunt in some highly mineralized black/dark sand we have on two major river beaches and some other locations. I'll sometimes do this at old dance hall or other past-era recreation sites where there might not be too many unwanted targets, or out of the fringe area away from trashier spots.

The #2 method is honestly how I hunt at least 90% of the time, and I achieve the best setting by using a small-to-average iron nail, laying it on the ground (usually I find one at the site) and then adjusting for just enough discrimination to reject or ignore the small iron trash. I then recover all good and iffy responses.

With the Classic series, especially the Classic III SL and IDX Pro, I typically achieve a #2 method set-up by toggling to 'Normal' and then setting the Discrimination at the 9-o'clock position. This generally handles most nails and similar iron. When I want to search for everything (#1 approach), I set the toggle to "Black Sand" and the Discriminate level at minimum. This is an all-metal-accept setting so I can search in a silent mode, but hear all ferrous and non-ferrous.

Perhaps the "best setting" anyone can use isn't really a "setting" at all! Oh, it will certainly help if you do not use a lot of discrimination, and you'll definitely get better depth if you run a higher (highest) level of Sensitivity,m but with the Classic III SL or ANY make or model the greatest importance might rest in search coil selection and search coil presentation.

I sometimes use the 950 coil, such as when beach hunting or workign a wide-open, spare-target field or plowed area or wooded area (if the brush isn't challenging). Sometimes i prefer the 8" to the 950.

Most of the time, however, I put my trust in the 6

 

[markg]

Thanks for sharing your expertise.