Creekside and ocean ground balance problems

[bb]

Using the default programs in my DFX, which is the first detector for this newbie, I can't ground balance soil near a creek or wet sand at the ocean. The problem is the same with the 12" and DD 10" coils. Is this normal? How do I get around the problem?

Thanks,
BB

 

[Larry (IL)]

I always got better results by ground balancing twice, back to back.

 

[tvr]

Larry,
Do you ground balance over the wet sand or over dry sand and then walk to the wet? I posted below about a similar ground balance experience with XL-Pro.
tvr

 

[Larry (IL)]

From my limited beach use, I GB over the dry sand. The DFX was then stable on wet sand and went bonkers with the loop in the water, probably because I had the TRAC OFF.

 

[tvr]

Thanks Larry.

I know it's a different detector than the DFX but with the XL Pro, I preferred to lock the ground balance and not track over the wet sand. I thought I got a little more consistent readings and less false blips doing that than the couple of tries at letting it track. Detector is still pretty new to me and am still learning how it behaves.

My first beach trip with the XL Pro along showed that for me, I thought it acted much better when I ground balanced over the dry sand and then walked to the wet. Ground balancing more than once does seem to help with stability ... as does running slightly higher on discrimination (knock out small foil) and running a slightly lower on Sig Bal (gain or sensitivity).
tvr

 

[bb]

Do either of you guys have any problems GB on damp soil near a creek?

BB

 

[tvr]

If the creek is fresh water ... no.

One thought ... is there a lot of iron or clay near or around the creek bed? Iron soils and a lot of the clay types can be difficult.
tvr

 

[bb]

I suspect that there is both.
Thanks for the input, guys.

BB