CoRe Thoughts

[Keith Southern]

NOKTA FORS CoRe Thoughts

Ive been using the Core now for about 3 months and thought I would share my thoughts on the unit.

I find the CoRe to be and excellent detector for a wide range of uses so far.
I like to Call it a WORKHORSE unit...

The CoRe it seems has looked at what works from what's available now in 21st century technology and have implemented those type features into the CoRe.

Some of those things are:
1=A tight elliptical DD coil as stock.The coils have a narrow footprint yet still retain excellent depth by the shape.11x7.A good all around size.

2=Fast target response.

3=Audio that's TALKATIVE/CONVEYING to the ear.

4=Ability to hear the rejected target in the Audio report the same as the accepted targets.

5=Ergonomic sturdy built design with a unique pistol grip joystick..I say joystick because it really does fill like a fully equipped fighter jet with all the important features to control the unit and your fingertips.

6=Ruggedly built control box and shaft and even epoxy filled rigid coils that's still very light for their size.

7=Excellent battery life on 4 AA's.

So in looking into what was working they have built a truly 21st Century WORKHORSE Vlf unit.

The CoRe is very straight forward without alot of programming or even a Strong learning curve.Now I Know you think well its simple so it must not be advanced.FAR FROM it...the simplicity is the advancement..there's alot happening in this unit that we the end user see as simplicity..The CoRe is using NEW ideas in the way its accomplishing feats.

One example I can give you is on most most machines I use in trying to unmask in iron saturated sites trying to unmask non ferrous targets targets from the continuous constant iron barrage of nails horseshoes kettle pieces etc.(Sort of like a 'Jambalaya' of ferrous non ferrous mixture) takes a unit that has fast audio,fast recovery,tight DD coils exact disc and or tone breaks high gain high freqs...It also takes hours of field use trial and error with knowing how to set the units up to get the most out of them to UNLOCK the non ferrous from the ferrous.

Along comes the CoRe and while it retains the Speed,Recovery,Tight DD coil high gain...It does not have the exacting ability to disc say a nail...And by this I mean on the machines I find to be the best unmaskers in iron I need a machine that can either barely discriminate a nail but not completely sort of make the nail choppy sounding so that way if there s a non ferrous target in close intermingled proximity to the nail I can then have a better chance of hearing the report as a more DIG ME SIGNAL...Some machines are single tone which means the disc silences the rejected area of the disc and some allow for dual tone to break the tone right on top of the nail and plus having the low tone high tone breaking keeps the audio gate open in the report and offer the best unmasking.The CoRe has the dual tone but it does not have the exact nail disc tone break.It actually break's the tone way above the nail reading on the I.D. and usually on a type machine that does this we have to revert back to a single tone mode on the unit to get the machine to unmask as well as some other world class units that have exacting abilities..So the CoRe breaking well above the nail should not be very aggresive in unmasking...FAR FROM IT.. the CoRe and especially with small coil added unmask on World Class levels..Giving the ability to hear a non ferrous target in close proximity to a nail...and to get it to do this all I have to do is turn the unit on, Select DI2,Set Sens,Ground Grab and hunt basically...the factory defined tone break from low to high while in DI2 is SPECTACULAR in iron with no intricate settings to get it to unmask...So while this seems like its Too easy,inside the unit alot of processing is taking place to allow such outcome...Very Advanced ..

So now that I have told my thoughts on the unmasking the next thing that will jump out at a user besides some of your iron infested sites seeming like targets have magically appeared overnight you will find target I.D. to be extremely accurate even in mineral dirt and you will find the tones to be more inclined to call non ferrous as non ferrous in bad dirt compared to a slew of VLF units that like to call Non ferrous as ferrous in bad dirt....in other words its more apt to get you a goodie in mineral than alot of units..

There's 4 modes on the Core..

DI2...This is the relic mode...less filtering of the disc circuit so its sparky, plus its more of a hyper gain mode with the best depth..Its in 2 tone wiht the tone break at 40...dont let that scare you it unmask like your breaking the tone at nail...There is a VCO report..

DI3... this is more of the OLD coins mode..it has three tones with the low tone breaking at 40 to mid tone then mid tone breaking at 80..Still encompasses Zincolns so be aware.This mode is also more Filtered less sparky more behaved...

COG ...Conductive ground mode...This is your Salt beach mode...

GEN...This is your all metal mode...and yes its a true all metal mode with full control of threshold..its motion based and offers Visual I.D. to boot..Has the old school feel to this mode .very modulated non VCO.

The machine also has a VERY good ground tracking system if you need to use it that works in Disc and all metal modes...very quick to track and does not over track..very good tracking...you can also manually ground bal. and set where you like .and you can also do a quick ground Grab with just a press of the button on top of the Joystick/Handgrip.

The Joystick as mentioned before has a lot of fingertip controls.and plus a small 2 digit LCD screen on top of the I.D. function and ground grab number, and depth indication using pinpoint.on the front of the stick you will find the pinpoint button .non motion.its a large toggle type switch worked with your index finger.and above that there;s a small toggle that turns on a LED flashlight.I at first thought O.K. whatever..but now that I have seen it work and actually found needs for it in late evening hunts it is very usefull and well thought out..it is quite bright and does not seem to draw the battery much at all.Also the joystick can vibrate for the hearing impaired..I find that very unique and maybe to alot of hearing impaired people who have skirted around detecting this is a godsend.the handle vibrates if you choose to turn it on.it reports with intensity based on settings...

talking about LED lighting the control panel where you make adjustments on the side of the box is momentarily lit while adjusting...as is the Joystick I.D. screen. it only lights up when there's an I.D. displayed.Also the I.D. does not display every hit you get..it only I.D.s when its more sure of the target.i.e. in other words its audio is deeper than the visual..and I really can appreciate that.

Im more use to the DI2 and I can tell you deep targets do not Visually I.D. and I like that in terms of it makes me check out the targets instead of lying to me.go by the tone first then the I.D. second.

there's a propack for the CoRe and it comes with in my opinion industry leading 4.7x5.3 coil,,,and also a larger 15.5x13.3 coil.light for its size..

I find I like the small coil for my iron site unmasking the best...

A few things about the CoRe I have noticed is it being on 15 khz is one of the most sensitive units Ive seen to small items at that freq.and at times it will have you chasing alot of small targets even using the stock coil...

its extremely hot on smaller than coin sized objects at very good depths.in mineral dirt it does punch quite well especially on the smaller items.it has a strong affinity for small things in iron and out..

The deepest target I have dug with the CoRe has been a .50 cal. Smith Carbine bullet in neutral soil about 10 inches deep.gave a smooth whisper sound on 99 sens DI2.it was in a well hunted spot and gave a smooth weak high tone...to iron tones came in whatsoever ..

I also dug a small solid silver star about the size of a halfdime on edge in iron at about 4 inches or so...sounded great...very hard hit..Impressive..

I at first was not very fond of the joystick handle it seemed awkward but now after using it for awhile its seems of no real concern...

I have seen the newer units have replaced the rocker switches with membrane..and good move..I have had my side rocker switch for up and down quit working in the field yet I blew it out with my mouth and it started working.If there replaced now with membrane I'm sure they are good to go..

All in all I still see the CoRe as an excellent WORKHORSE unit...with above to Cutting edge processing ability...

with the pro-pack the unit can do anything a novice to serious Detectorist could almost ever need.the real thing though is the Novice can be up to speed with the experienced detectorist in a few hunts finds wise in hard hit iron infested areas.

And also I might add the CoRe allows for rolling of tones together to paint a more audibly interpretive feel of what under the ground...it can give you a BLENDED sound and in doing so tell you more about a target that say another unit where the audio is one or the other tone but never together the CoRe has great blendability in the Audio..

Keith

 

[ncwayne]

Hey Keith,
You say DI2 has a VCO report. I like Garrett's term - proportional audio. Signal strength varies with the size and depth of the target, right?

For DI3 you don't mention VCO. It is VCO, i.e., proportional, right?

You say GEN has a very modulated non VCO report. Please explain what this means in terms of the threshold tone.

Thanks.

 

[jimmy]

Thanks Keith, great info to know. You and Monte really got my interest up for this machine as I am having a little trouble wth the ctx3030. Jimmy(Smithfield N.C.)

 

[Mark ( ohio )]

n/t

 

[squirrel1]

Very good write up Keith. Experienced and novice detectorists can benefit from your write up.

 

[steve herschbach]

Thanks Keith, Great review!

 

[Frank in NH]

Great write up Keith, now all I have to do is decide on CoRe or Racer? Hope you get to test the Racer, sure you will!

 

[Monte]

[size=large]****[/size] [size=x-large]WORKHORSE[/size] [size=large]****[/size]​

It's one of the best thought out designs, from excellent circuitry and quality, rugged packaging, to 'simple' yet highly functional in-the-field performance.

I really like your write-up as well. The problem is, this detector is so good that it's difficult to explain it to some folks who are too caught up in their overly complex and spendy detectors to get them to believe it ... until maybe they get their hands on one.

Let's hope for an early Spring arrival as I need more snow-free and mud-free sites to go visit.

Monte

[size=small]PS: One small correction that even took me a few re-tests to be sure about, and that is the GEN All Metal mode. As stated on Pg. 15 of their manual it does incorporate a pitch change, and pitch change is VCO. However, I like it as it is a very modest VCO function whereas the VCO audio in the DI2 and COG modes has more boost to it and tends to be a little more descriptive.[/size]

 

[steve herschbach]

We went from relatively simple detectors in the 70's into more and more complex detectors as new abilities were invented along with new controls. A certain school of thought is that you need to be able to adjust every single parameter manually to be able to get best performance under all conditions.

However, as we are in the 21st century now I expect my machines to be smarter, in fact maybe smarter than me. The hard work should be done in software. All I want is for the thing to just work and work well, and the less controls it takes to get the job done well the better in my opinion. Complexity became an end of its own, best represented by the White's V3i. I have one, love to fiddle with it, but all that control does not make it any better and finding things than far simpler detectors. In fact, it gets in the way for most people.

Power AND simplicity - sign me up!

 

[Southwind]

I would agree Steve but I kind of like having both.

I think most of us agree that VLF technology has peaked as far as depth goes. Yes throw in different conditions and detector depth can vary slightly, but not all that much all things being equal. I like a smart detector that gives you a good set of basic settings with good depth just by choosing a program. These are great for getting used to a new machine and for people just entering the hobby who would rather skip the entry level machine and buy something they can grow with. Latter many want one that gives you the options to adjust those special settings to increase performance and push your ability to the edge.

Complexity isn't for everyone, but it should be a choice unless you want limit your customer base.

Just my 2 cents

 

[D&P-OR]

Thank you to Keith & Monte for your CoRe reports.-------Comment & question-----As I understand it---when a target hit is encountered---if the target is deep & the response is not loud enough/distinct enough, no I.D. #'s come up on the "joy stick" screen (no target I.D. # displayed)---therefore of course, the light does not come on in this case.--------That's my comment--now my question -------In a case like this---when you pinpoint (use the pin point button)--which puts it in a.m.----is there then enough strength in the response for the light to come on with the depth # that comes up?------Or is there any problem with the depth # coming up in the first place in a case like this (let alone triggering the light to come on)?--------The reason I'm asking all this----if it works like I think it should & am hoping it does-------this would be a HUGE aid in hunting at dusk/night time (especially deep coin hunting).-----Thanks--------------Del

 

[squirrel1]

On my unit with coil in the air, the screen lights up either of 2 ways: pulling the pinpoint button or pushing the GB button.

 

[squirrel1]

And Southwind, the FORSs will run with most of the best ones. Only 2 settings to really contend with, Sensitivity and which mode. The only other possible adjustment you can make from a performance standpoint would be the ID mask setting. And believe it or not a setting of 10 (default) will take care of most detecting situations. No wondering if you had detector set up correctly hence missing targets. Handles EMI better than most too.

 

[Monte]

I like using a back-lighted display ... when I want to/need to.

Thank you to Keith & Monte for your CoRe reports.-------Comment & question-----As I understand it---when a target hit is encountered---if the target is deep & the response is not loud enough/distinct enough, no I.D. #'s come up on the "joy stick" screen (no target I.D. # displayed)---therefore of course, the light does not come on in this case.--------That's my comment--

Correct, you have to have sufficient target response strength to activate the TID and the Display Backlight.

--now my question -------In a case like this---when you pinpoint (use the pin point button)--which puts it in a.m.----is there then enough strength in the response for the light to come on with the depth # that comes up?---

When you pull the Pinpoint trigger it turns on the Display Backlight, and the FORS CoRe will respond to a target's depth deeper than the Discriminate mode will respond and produce a Target ID number, and accompanying Backlight.

In my evaluation I even turned the Sensitivity down to '1' and '10' and '20' just to check target signal responses, then check in Pinpoint. Two surprises were that you still get a very nice modulated audio on even some deeper targets with the small coil mounted than expected. Fait but easily hearable, but not enough signal strength to activate the display. Almost, but not quite. The Pinpoint function w/Lighted Display still did its job.

---Or is there any problem with the depth # coming up in the first place in a case like this (let alone triggering the light to come on)?----

No problem getting a depth read-out from most of my field work. It's an impressive detector.

----The reason I'm asking all this----if it works like I think it should & am hoping it does-------this would be a HUGE aid in hunting at dusk/night time (especially deep coin hunting).-----Thanks--------------Del

??? What did you think or what were you hoping it would do?

Are you in B.C., OR or down in a warmer and drier climate?

Monte

 

[D&P-OR]

What was I hoping it would do????----Why---find all those deep coins you missed, of course! ---------Seriously---I was referring to the depth & read out when I made that statement.----That & the fact I didn't know just how the light situation worked on it.----Screen light coming on when P.P. trigger is pulled sounds like a nice feature---that & the vibration feature for some hearing impaired folks.---------Nah, Monte, I'm in a warmer climate (for the time being).-----I worked most of my life in the cold---kind of got to be a "puss" in my old age!------Stop in & see us sometime when you go through B.C.--------------Del

 

[Keith Southern]

Del the light comes on the joystick LCD when pinpointing ..its in centimeters...It will come on when Ground balancing too..

One thing on the CoRe and maybe Ive over looked a way to do it is say its dark and you want to see where your ground F.E. number strength is....if you dont have a flashlight with you the only way to get the side screen lit up is to hit the up down arrows or +/-...well that puts it into the menu....and before it can get back to the main overview screen it times out the light... That is a complaint I have ..and maybe theres away to overcome it but at times I like to see what the F.E. reading is just having the backight stay on another few seconds would overcome this...

Keith

 

[Keith Southern]

Wayne the DI2== is a audio report akin to say the T2 in 2F...or a G2...its got the grunt tone for iron but the high tone for non ferrous is of the VCO style ..the zip zip type report thats very nuanced and modulated and perceptive for depth and size...

the DI3== is more of a standard 3 tone like maybe say a Golden Umax...more analog more tight controlled tones.. yet still modualted for depth.. and pereceptive...

the GEN== is a all metal mode that is threshold based like alot of units...its not its jsut a standard analog feel threshold wiht the wavering of threshold for report...no VCO like say a Gold machines all metal on say a LOBO ST..its like a T2 all metal or F75 all metal almost exactly...very dep by the way..

DI2 will be your iron working mode..and I confess I like the VCO style report for working tight iron...the zip is easier at times to pick out than a Beep in tight co-located conditions...Add the excellent small unique designed coil while in DI2 for world class unmasking..

Keith

 

[Keith Southern]

Hey Monte..

Wonderful Info..

So when you do the Pitch change is there a setting that goes to VCO out of the selectable ones ..or is the whole all metal VCO...I dont really detect VCO in my settings Im running..if there is a tone that gives the all metal LOBO ST style report I would love that..

Im at work right now but will check when I get home...

I confess I have only worked with all metal in real world hunts a little, but it is deep for sure as it should be...But I did not find my setting to be of VCO report sound...

Keith

 

[Keith Southern]

Thanks Steve..

I know we all are getting itchy for the Racer !!!

Keith

 

[Keith Southern]

I meant to say in the above post the battery Strength...LOL....

Ive been working 12 hours shifts and Im tired....

different things run together in my mind....

but anyways the battery cant be seen before the light times out..No biggie but wish It would stay on a little longer..

Keith