depth on coin and ring sized targets

[Argentium.]

Greetings everybody and happy are we with the MXT. !!! I've had my MXT for about a year and a half now , and only began detecting 2 years

ago . And I've noticed in reading many posts on several different treasure sites, that certain detectors ( especially high end "down under" units),

seem to be able to hit regularly on siver dime at 9- 10 inches (small cents too) I'm pretty sure my deeper digs on those type of coins is 6- 7 inches.

If this sounds like a case of detector envy , I'll cop to it . Normally when I'm trying to hunt deepies I'm set up as follows : relic mode , trigger fwd.,

disc. 0- 3 , sens. at 10 to +1, trac to gnd. coil choice = 6x10 DD or 4x6 DD . ( i also have super 12, and stock 950 ) I've never dug deeper

coins with the concentric coils - in fact if memory serves me , the deepest silver dime i've dug was a rosie (1947) at 7 inches ,with the 4x6 DD.

I am aware of the fact that soil conditions vary widely across the nation , but I can think of three detectorists from as varied locations as

California , to Indiana , to New York state - Who are using the " down under " units and they all are scoring Barbers , indians and seateds

at depths of 8- 10 inches . So after all this long winded prelude my question to you more veteran MXT users is , are you getting these 8- 10

depths with your MXT ? If so please talk about your set up . This will be a helpful thread for us relative newbies. I am in no way unhappy

with my MXT. , just trying to get the deepies -- Thanks to all -- Argentium.

 

[Rob (IL)]

I don't want to start anything on the forum but the detectors you mention are deep on silver coins. I don't know how much the advantage is on the gold rings. After all, the MXT is based on a gold machine. One suggestion I would make is a coil change to get deeper. I switched to an excelerator 10" and I found more silver. The 10" is an honest 1 to 2 inches more than your 6x10 in my ground.

Now look a the detector you are talking about it has an 11" coil. Look at the shape. I think next spring I will be using a 10x12 SEF. A few of the guys have them and say they are deeper than my 10". I'll let them talk about it. Rob

 

[Argentium.]

Hey Rob, thanks for your reply ! I confess to being a little dissapointed that this thread was apparently not interesting enough to generate a

a lively discussion on the part of veteran MXT users . It is surprising too, because the primary marketing point for after market coils , is in

fact this very topic . I too am watching closely the newly developed SEF coils and the new 10 inch DD coils . Rob if you can shed any light

on why my topic didn't light up the reply boards please let me know (a lot of people read it) Thanks Argentium.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Hi Argentium. If you were digging a silver dime at 7 inches with the 4X6, I would have to agree with Rob that a change to another coil should get you right down to the 9", or better, range. With the price of the White's D[sup]2[/sup] right now at $150, that should be a good upgrade for you. The stock coil should give you better depth than the 4X6, even in very mineralized ground, but I can understand the Super 12" might be a bit much in less than ideal ground. Feel free to mention other brands of detectors on the Finds forums as long as there is no "Brand bashing" involved. I use a Minelab SE Pro myself for deep silver, and I use my White's for all other hunting, especially in the gold jewelry range. There is no one "do it all best" detector, at least not right now, although that could change with the advancing technology available.

The MXT is very capable of getting the depth to dig the Seated, Barbers, Indians as well as most of the higher end detectors on the market. Since you appear to be fairly new, take a look at this post to prove my point. http://www.findmall.com/read.php?25,770212

If you have been hunting for two years and you have hunted a lot in those two years, I would guess that you are just starting to get a "feel" for the deep targets and what they sound like. The success stories you are referring to on the Explorer Forum are from a class of hunters that fit into a category of "old pros". Bryce, Jim, JS, and many others have been hunting for 25-40 years and there is no substitution for experience no matter what detector is used.

Stick with your MXT, try a 10" DD coil, dig a lot of iffies, maybe's and might be's, hunt where the old targets are likely to be, and I bet you too will be posting about your old deep finds.

 

[Argentium.]

Larry , Thanks for a great reply - this could still be the start of a solid thread after all . I noticed that both Rob's and your replies are

focused on coil selection and not so much on detector set up - this is informative - probably the truest thing i've gotten from your post

is that their is no substitute (detector or coil ) for good old time in trade . Thank You ! And keep the responses coming all you

veteran MXT users out there ! Argentium.

 

[Rob (IL)]

If you are getting the depths you say, your ground might also allow you more gain. The 10x12 is also suppose to be quieter which would allow more gain and less chatter. Bigger and more gain should get you more depth. Larry, as he said, uses a Minelab and Nancy uses an MXT. Both have made excellent silver finds. The MXT is what I have and I'd rather spend the time getting better with it than comparing it to what I don't have. I think this spring may make the question not worth asking anyway. Even then with the economy I'll still be using the MXT. Rob

 

[JOE in MD]

Here's my opinion, I got the new SEF 12X15 coil a little while back and I've been hitting spots that we have detected for over 20 years. I was using the 6X10. Just Sunday I got 2 Indians and a wheatie ( see post my above) that were down a least 8 to 10 inches in a pretty trashes foundation area. My friend has the 10X12 SEF and he dug a beautiful gold pocket watch in the same area that was way down deep. We both agree the these coils go deeper and separate better than others. This is just our opinions. I hunt with the same setting every time. JOE in MD
Disc = 0
Gain = +1 or +2
Thresd = just a slight Hum
Ground track
swing SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!! and listen!!!!

 

[JOE in MD]

The button in the hole with my shovel was about 9 to 10 inches deep and it was a small cuff button. Hope this helps you out.
JOE in MD
http://www.findmall.com/read.php?25,861296,861296#msg-861296

 

[Monte]

[size=medium]All too often we will read a simple statement from someone who got a coin or two at what we might consider a deep depth. Unfortunately, they might only mention a particular model and not include supporting information, such as the search coil used, the settings used, and their location and type of ground mineral environment.

While you didn't mention where you live or were hunting, you did include good information about the coils and settings you use, so "Thank You" for that as it helps others in replying to your post.[/size]

Greetings everybody and happy are we with the MXT !!! I've had my MXT for about a year and a half now, and only began detecting 2 years ago.

[size=medium]I'm pleased to hear you are satisfied with your MXT and while a relative newcomer you seem to be 'on track' to be successful in the hobby. I can't tell you how many people I encounter who, after 2 or more years, have changed detectors a few times, and only have the stock coil.[/size]

And I've noticed in reading many posts on several different treasure sites, that certain detectors ( especially high end "down under" units), seem to be able to hit regularly on siver dime at 9- 10 inches (small cents too).

[size=medium]What I have noticed the most over the years, and I'm referring to ALL the years I have been enjoying this great sport (since the spring of '65), is that some depths people claim to get are not quite accurate.

Sometimes they are in error because they don't actually measure the depth with the coin located in the actual position where it was first detected to the coil. Sometimes it is a simple "guess" and perhaps their depth perception is thrown off by the height of grass above the ground and coil position, or that they just don't have a clue how to measure in the field.

Then, too, there are those that fall into the category of 'fish tales" that are boasting depths not actually achieved. I've heard others claim a certain depth based on the fact that they have heard others claim a 'deep coin' to be at those depths and, again, they didn't measure to know for sure. Finally, you will have people report a coin depth based upon their particular model's "depth read-out" or "depth gauge".

In the case of various White's models, for example, it is not uncommon at all for the Coin Depth Read-out to be errant due to the coil used or the settings used. That is one reason why I like the XL Pro with the quick-to-adjust Signal Balance control. I can search with it set as high as possible for the most sensitivity and best detection depth, then I can reduce the Sig. Bal. setting to the point where I iknow I can get an accurate coin depth reading for the coil in use.

You should do some in-air or on-ground testing with your detector and each coil, making sure you toggle into PinPoint with the coil well to the side of the sample coin, then move the coil so that hje center axis is directly over the coin. Note the read-out and do an accurate measurement to see the difference. Take that into consideration with the particular coil used at a site.

As for the "down under" models, the Minelab Explorer's have certainly earned their reputation for nabbing deeper silver and higher-conductive copper class pennies. But those who rely only on the depth gauge for a guess at coin depth are in error most of the time. the manual states something like a depth gauge that reports coins to 12". So, that would seem that a half-filled depth gauge equates to a 6" coin, and a

 

[Argentium.]

Monte , I cannot believe the level of all around EXCELLENCE In evidence in your reply , I am in fact stunned and most grateful - Thank You !

I will re- read it a couple of times and perhaps have a response forthcoming - for now- A most Merry Christmas to you and yours - Argentium.

 

[Rob (IL)]

Thanks for the reply Monte..... Rob