CURIOUS - CIBOLA GB CONVERSION

[BarberBill]

I'm posting to ask those that have played with converting the Cibola to manual ground balance why they went that route rather than with a Vaquero that already has manual ground balance? AND how well they liked it once converted?
BB

 

[Larry (IL)]

My decision was I am a tinker at heart and I got a good buy on the Cibola and turned it into a Vaquero for a few bucks more, so for a little over $200, I have a very nice tot lot and competition hunter.

 

[POLEWAGGER]

I bought my C used and intended to modify it (add 10 turn GB, all metal "trigger" switch, and volume cont.) before I bought it. That's why I got it without a warranty.
When I first tried it out on our ground, it went off like there was stuff buried, but it was just the soil.
Tesoro should really consider making a "modded Cibola" because I just couldn't imagine using mine without GB in our dirt. The volume control is a needed item and all metal, trigger mount switch is very handy for getting a better "look" at targets and pinpointing to within 2", or switching to AM on the fly. My plugs are usually about 4"X4"X4" and the target is almost always in the center of the plug or at root bottom. I've found that it can save a bit of time by using all metal to get a more precise pinpoint. Some targets will seem to "move" as you dig them.
I've found that if you detect an object in disc and find that your target seems to move toward your left foot as you dig, it's usually "trash". Some sort of phase shift thing happening there that doesn't happen in all metal.
Setting the GB just right can make for a very pleasant detecting experience on a salt beach or changing ground conditions like from iron dirt and clay to sand.
Being able to adjust for different conditions seems to be an absolute must in my area, so I say my Cibola would be about useless to me without it.

 

[BarberBill]

I take it then that the moded Cibola doesn't offer any real improvement over a Vaquero, but is definitely an improvement over the stock Cibola?
BB

 

[hardrockminer]

Tesoro should really consider making a "modded Cibola" because I just couldn't imagine using mine without GB in our dirt.

POLEWAGGER,

[size=large]It's called a Vaquero ! [/size]



HaRM

 

[Larry (IL)]

That is right except I really like the three position trigger instead of the push button pinpoint. With the trigger switch, you can lock in AM (forward), discrimination (center) and pinpoint (momentary contact squeeze).

The Vaquero with a trigger mod would be close to the Modded Cibola. (The modded Cibola has a ten turn GB.)

 

[digitaltim]

I'll just add that a
Modded cibola seemed completely different from a vaquero...

It's easier to ground balance... Seemed to be faster and the tone (changes from iron to good target) seemed more accurate.

I kept my vaquero ( bought new) and sold the cibola. In the hunt it wasn't a huge advantage over a vaquero, but I believe if you have a cibola it's worth doing.
Especially if you need ground balance.

 

[POLEWAGGER]

The V doesn't have 10 turn GB, handy trigger switch OR much needed volume control.
I don't need a headphone set with a volume control in it, so I can use very high quality phones and turn the volume down to where every peep is heard but not so loud as to cause deafness.
I feel sorry for anyone who uses a Tesoro straight into headphones without a volume control.
I would highly recommend using studio grade headphones with a volume control mod or in line.
Sony MDR V-600 or V-7506 are excellent, studio grade headphones that will reproduce audio like few others in the price range. They have a long, coiled cord with a built in adapter for both 1/4"&1/8".
Maybe it's not the TONE but the LEVEL and/or REPRODUCTION QUALITY of the phones of people who are having problems with hearing things or things being too loud or soft?

 

[Larry (IL)]

That is a good point about the headphones. I have never had that problem because I'm a dyed in the wool SunRay Golds guy with not only volume and compatibility switches but a limiter switch as well. There are several very good similar headphones on the market as well but at least a volume control is a must have.

 

[tvr]

I like to tinker too and that was my main reason for doing the mod.

A trigger switch selected to pull for momentary pinpoint and push to lock it in all metal while exploring a small area is nicer to use than having to turn the discriminator to click into a locked all metal and then readjust the discrimination level.

I have not hunted with a Vaquero yet, but have read from a few who have used both a modified Cibola and a Vaquero. All felt the modified Cibola gave a little better performance. Some also said that some Cibolas or Vaqueros are a little hotter than others.

The circuit boards are the same (except that the Cibola has a ground balance trimmer and the Vaquero takes wires to the front panel pot) and there is one plug in programmable chip. The chip in the Cibola is marked Cibola, the Vaquero chip is marked Vaquero. I don't know what is different in the chips between the Cibola and Vaquero but I suspect there are some differences; even if just subtle parameter differences.
tvr

 

[synthnut]

Yes, the chip in the Cibola is different from the Vaquero ......For warranty sake , I would opt for the Vaquero , but for performance sake , I would probably go for the modded Cibola ....The Cibola chip is said to run a little smoother , and with that added to the wider range of the modded G.B. , I think I would go with a Cibola ....The difference to some is a lot , and to others it's not that much of a difference ..... I don't guess you could go wrong with either solution .....Jim

 

[BarberBill]

In response to Larry's comment about locking the trigger into all metal versus the pinpoint button - I replaced the pinpoint button on a Silver Sabre

 

[allcav]

The circuitry is the same except for the ground balance and the all metal switch. Yes the one says Cibola and the other says Vaquero, but that is because of the ground balance. So, the are curcuitry identical except the all metal mode and the manual ground balance. Don't void your warranty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[finnfoto]

I have had 3 and wish I still had all 3. lol Only thing I wish is Tesoro would put a tdi display on the cibola. Ohhhh my. many others wouldnt stand a chance.

 

[tvr]

Yes the one says Cibola and the other says Vaquero, but that is because of the ground balance. So, the are curcuitry identical except the all metal mode and the manual ground balance.

So does that mean that the attack and decay times of the retune, or other characteristics may be different in the Cibola vs. the Vaquero chip to allow the Cibola to be a little less sensitive to being out of correct ground balance as it hunts in different ground conditions? Or is there an all metal response difference between the two? What happens if you switch a Vaquero chip with a Cibola chip?
Cheers,
tvr

 

[allcav]

Just all metal difference and the ground balance.Thats it!

 

[slingshot]

Just all metal difference and the ground balance.Thats it!

Wow. That makes the Cibola a great buy for those of us with mild ground. Is the depth difference between the Cibola and the Silver umax that noticeable? Thanks.

 

[tvr]

Just all metal difference and the ground balance.Thats it!

Robert,
Thanks for the reply.
And ... OK ... maybe I'm a little dense ... does that mean the integrated circuits (one marked Cibola and the other marked Vaquero) are interchangeable with no difference other than the label? Or is there a difference in the Vaquero between the pinpoint all metal and the all metal mode where the discriminator pot is clicked into all metal?
Cheers,
tvr

 

[allcav]

Not going to get into that with you TVR!

And yes, the Cibola has about a 2 to 3" difference.

 

[slingshot]

Not going to get into that with you TVR!

And yes, the Cibola has about a 2 to 3" difference.

Wow! I hope that was in reference to my question about the Silver umax.