[size=large]Well, I know there are some out there in use, but have no clue who has them in their hand, how much they know about the hobby, or if any of them frequent any particular forum. Therefore, who knows when we're going to hear (read) about some field performance? I will say, however, that I'm trying to have one in hand by this time next week and put some time in with it so as to post about field results. In the meantime, however, perhaps I can answer some of the basic questions about the Prizm 6T based on the little I do know.crazyman said:
The Prizm 6T is powered by 8-AA batteries, and comes with the newer 9" spoked coil (not the 950 open-center type coil). Being a long-time fan of the Classic series, especially the IDX Pro, and most especially when they have had Bill Crabtree's modifications done to them, and also being partial to the M6, I am going to comment on the Prizm 6T features with comments related to the modified Classic IDX Pro & M6 models. Those two are also powered by 8-AA batteries, and they came standard with the 950, open-centered coil.
So, right off the bat, we have to acknowledge that the IDX Pro series and the M6 models have a superior search coil selection because until Carl and the rest of the crew at White's get finished, we're limited to an 8", stock 9" or 950 coil with the 6T. That will, however, soon change.
The IDX Pro has an 8-segment visual Target ID where as the Prizm 6T features a 9-segment TID. The added segment is on the lower-end for large iron as opposed to nails and similar small iron. The IDX Pro and M6 have a variable discriminate control that runs from all-metal accept on up and you can somewhat fine-tune the Discriminate setting. The Prizm 6T has the "smart notch" type discriminate control whereby you either accept or reject any of the TID/Notch 'segments.' On the new 6T, however, compared with the other Prizm models, you can accept any of the segments all the way through the TID/notch range and are not limited to just the lower end.
Like the IDX Pro and M6, the Prizm 6T is silent-search when in the motion Discriminate mode.
The modified IDX Pro has an external 1-turn manual Ground Balance that works great. It really is more of a user-preset control since you only have to adjust it for the worst ground in your area with the coil in use, then seldom have to change it. It's not really necessary to tinker with the manual GB constantly on the IDX Pro. The M6 features the same fast-adjusting Auto-Trac circuitry as the MXT and will automatically Ground Balance with just a few pumps of the coil or sweeps over the ground as you start your search. A savvy operator will learn when and why to 'Lock' the GB setting the circuitry adjusted for. I have done this often with the MXT's and M6 is locations with a very dense scattering or iron nails and other similar iron debris, as well as some rapidly changing ground mineral. I simply find a clear spot, auto-balance the detector, then 'Lock' the GB setting.
With the MXT and M6 when in the Lock' setting the Auto-Trac circuitry is still working but not updating the setting you've locked in. To 'update' you simply stop your sweep, toggle out of Lock and then back into Lock and you've updated the GB setting. You can check to make sure it is still slightly positive or if is its radically different. The new Prizm 6T features an Auto-Trac circuitry that works similar to the M6. It works quickly, and at the press of a touchpad on the display you can lock the GB setting achieved, or unlock it to update the auto-tracked information. On the display you'll see a padlock icon to indicate you've locked the Auto-Trac setting.
The control panel has an up-and-down Sensitivity adjustment touchpad, and the Sensitivity setting is reflected in a scale on the right side of the display. The Discriminate control also has two touchpads encircled, the top one to step through the 9 different discriminate segments, and one to turn the audio response On or Off for that segment.
There is a touchpad for Beach which affects the auto-tracking circuitry and is only used for salt water beaches and highly alkaline soils when they are wet. I've hunted some very challenging old sites around the Great Salt Lake in Utah and you're not going to find a more challenging "wet salts" location, especially after a soaker summer storm passes through. As mentioned there is a toughpad for Track Lock.
That leaves two touchpads to mention, they are P/P - All Metal, and Tone ID. Like on the other Prizm models, you can press-and-hold the P/P touchpad, in the bottom-center of the housing, and that will put you into a momentary All Metal mode to PinPoint a target. When in PinPoint mode you have both a loudness response as you sweep over the located targets as well as a VCO audio to provide a pitch-change that peaks over the target. For many, this aids in pinpointing. If you 'tap' the P/P All Metal touchpad, that puts you into an All Metal search mode. This mode also provides both a loudness change as well as a VCO audio pitch change when searching in All Metal.
What! You don't like VCO audio when you're searching in All Metal? Well, for those who do not like VCO audio in All metal or in the PinPoint mode, all you have to do is be in one of these two operating modes and press the Tone ID touchpad and it will turn Off or On the VCO audio. If you're searching in the Discriminate mode you have 9 notch segments or TID segments, and this provides you with 9 different audio Tones to help ID a target that has been accepted. The lowest audio tone for large iron, and the highest pitch for large silver coins, such as 50
