CTX 17" Coil-Worth It?

[Prodigy]

So at this point, I would consider my little park ballfield to be hunted out with the 11" coil. I ended up finding 10 silvers, 2 indians, and roughly 50 wheat pennies out. The park dates back to 1880s and the soil is sandy so the coins sink deep. The oldest coin I have found so far with the CTX 11" at this park has been around 8", a 1907 O barber quarter. The rest of the coins were roughly 6" inches (nothing more shallow than 6") and for whatever reason could not be picked up by my old Safari. I am sure that there are older coins left in this park but there is also a lot of iron, which I am sure is a large reason why the Safari couldnt pick up these coins. So, would the 17" be worth it? How much depth am I going to gain? And how much Iron separation am I losing because of the added size? Thanks in advance!!

 

[KinTN]

You will see folks strongly disagree with me, but I don't think you lose very much, if any, separation with the 17 v 11. I understand the math, but in real hunts it doesn't seem to handicap me. And in several fields that I have hunted thoroughly with both coils, I definitely get at least an inch or 2 of added depth. So much so to the point that at one field, I got physically tired of digging 9"+ targets and quit for the day. Returned the net day with a relic shovel because it was just too tiring to dig all those holes with a trowel. (soil was some of the best rich loamy soil I have ever dug in and I think that had a strong influence on depth)

Unless funds are critical for you, I say get a 17. This hobby is all about experimentation and exploration; of machines, sites and method. Learning what works best for You in Your dirt is half the fun of it. Forget the naysayers and see for yourself.

 

[Jason in Enid]

Yes, smaller coils will always be able to separate trash / good targets better, but KinTN is correct that the CTX with the 17" coil does a darn good job at it.

Only you can decide if the 17" is worth the purchase. The more dedicated to detecting you are, the more use you will get from multiple coils, and the easier it is open the pocket book. I have noticed about 2 inches of extra depth from the 17" compared to my 11" and others have noted similar depth increases., Don't expect to find a carpet of coins 2 inches deeper though.

 

[glenn3-88]

I got the Safari and the CTX and At Pro. I got the 18 x 15 SEF for the Safari and it is
noticeably deeper than the CTX with the 11" and the seperation is very good. If the
CTX 17" is any indication of how much the SEF did for my Safari, then you best get
it. KinTn ain't gonna steer you wrong.

 

[ChicagoJohn]

My friend use 3030 and he told me that 17 inch coil is heavy and not easy for more than 2 hours! He got money back! I think 17 inch is good for open field, in woods and farm field!

 

[KinTN]

2 hours is pretty much my limit without a harness of some kind too. But with a harness, I can go as long as I have battery power.

 

[JamesBondaka]

I don't think you can go wrong by the getting the 17in coil but its a question of HOW much its going to help you. As per usual, your soil will make the big difference on how well it works for you. The beach for sure but in some soil, its tough. Buy it, try it....and if you don't like how it works for you.....I'm sure someone will want it.

 

[jmkombat]

It sounds like you will do better with a 6" coil. It sounds like you're working a trashy park.
The 17" is difficult to pinpoint. With 17" sounds like the CTX will be always nulling so you'll have
To always watch your display for good signals.

 

[Jason in Enid]

It sounds like you will do better with a 6" coil. It sounds like you're working a trashy park.
The 17" is difficult to pinpoint. With 17" sounds like the CTX will be always nulling so you'll have
To always watch your display for good signals.

Thats not true, you have to have extremely heavy trash and the wrong settings for the CTX to null with a good target and trash under it.

 

[Aqua Digger]

I have a hard enough time pinpointing the obeject with a 11" coil...With a 17" it would look like a backhoe went thru there !!!! Its getting better, youtubes help !!

 

[Jason in Enid]

You just need practice. Once you get the hang of it, you won't understand why you had trouble to begin with. The biggest problems you will have; extremely shallow targets can pinpoint almost anywhere along the center. If you have a shallow target, turn the coil 90 degrees and you will get an "x marks the spot". Angled targets throw off the pinpoint to the side, but you shouldn't be digging tiny plugs anyway. If you have an empty hole this is where a pinpointer works best. If I still don't get a hit in the side of the hole with the pinpointer, I use my digger and widen the bottom half of the hole by a couple inches and try the pinpointer again. Lastly, on-edge coins with give a target on both sides. there have been many time I get 2 empty hole a few inches apart and find a coin in the middle..

Keep using your CTX, it gets easier.

 

[KinTN]

Thats not true, you have to have extremely heavy trash and the wrong settings for the CTX to null with a good target and trash under it.
..........

You just need practice. Once you get the hang of it, you won't understand why you had trouble to begin with. The biggest problems you will have; extremely shallow targets can pinpoint almost anywhere along the center. If you have a shallow target, turn the coil 90 degrees and you will get an "x marks the spot". Angled targets throw off the pinpoint to the side, but you shouldn't be digging tiny plugs anyway. If you have an empty hole this is where a pinpointer works best. If I still don't get a hit in the side of the hole with the pinpointer, I use my digger and widen the bottom half of the hole by a couple inches and try the pinpointer again. Lastly, on-edge coins with give a target on both sides. there have been many time I get 2 empty hole a few inches apart and find a coin in the middle..

Keep using your CTX, it gets easier.

I have to agree completely with all of what Jason has written.

Pinpointing is a bit coarser with the 17 ime, and more hours swinging the 17 coil does help a lot.
Those very shallow targets can be an absolute bear on a 17, giving ~3 strong signals in a sweep. I find that lifting the coil a half foot (give or take, depending on the depth) is the easiest way to eliminate the ghost target signals before digging.

 

[Bryan V]

I have only had my 17" coil for about 2 months but I can say the added ground coverage is addicting for me!
I have not dug anything deeper than I did with the 11" but it seems I'm finding more old coins because of the extra coverage.
It's good for the center of parks and ball fields but too big for the heavy trash areas in my opinion.
It can handle more trash than I thought it would though , especially if you slow down your sweep.
Pinpointing can be tricky for shallow targets but you will get better with practice.
If I find a shallow target I just use my pinpointer to locate it before I dig.
A harness is a must for me when using the 17"
Bryan

 

[Aqua Digger]

You just need practice. Once you get the hang of it, you won't understand why you had trouble to begin with. The biggest problems you will have; extremely shallow targets can pinpoint almost anywhere along the center. If you have a shallow target, turn the coil 90 degrees and you will get an "x marks the spot". Angled targets throw off the pinpoint to the side, but you shouldn't be digging tiny plugs anyway. If you have an empty hole this is where a pinpointer works best. If I still don't get a hit in the side of the hole with the pinpointer, I use my digger and widen the bottom half of the hole by a couple inches and try the pinpointer again. Lastly, on-edge coins with give a target on both sides. there have been many time I get 2 empty hole a few inches apart and find a coin in the middle..

Keep using your CTX, it gets easier.

Thanks Jason and KinTN ... I practice at the beach to narrow it down, then bring it to my own yard to practice..The plugs are getting smaller and my wife can see,um !!! ...

 

[scrapologist]

I used mine for 5 hours yesterday, and will again tomorrow. 108 coins this week. You basically get a break from swinging. while digging. It weighs roughly 1 pound more than the stock coil
your friend could have picked up one of the support straps to lighten the load. we are all at different physical levels.