Detecting without VID/TID

[Ray(Ca)]

Being a many year TID user and then using the V for my lunch time hunts was very hard at first. At first I would just set the disc to max and then go for it. Then I came up with this plan. When I first start detecting I set my disc just above nail and when I get a signal I try to figure out what it is by thumbing the disc knob and carefully analyzing the signal at different angles and then even checking it with all metal. I feel like I'm a detective and isn't that what metal detecting is all about! Then I make a mental note of what I think the target may be then I dig. I'm getting pretty accurate and can easily ID tabs,caps and zincs. I try only to hunt hard pan median strips and areas that have been heavily hunted (by me with other machines over the years). It's a lot of fun and sometimes you find some pretty funky looking stuff and who knows maybe I'll even get that nice gold ring that I didn't dig because it wasn't a textbook signal with my TID machine!

Ray(Ca)

 

[tabdog]

Good post Ray,

It didn't take me very long to be sold on meterless hunting.
It's more fun. I was frustrated with meters that told me what
to dig. With my Tesoro's I can analize the target and make
my own decision to dig or not. That means to keep my disc
trrned down and receive more information. Discremination &
notching tends to limit the info and targets that are available.

Glad you are connecting with your V. I like mine also.

If I want more speed I can use my Silver or my Compadre.
They are great fun also. Tesoro offers me a better way to do
my thing.

HH,

 

[SkiWhiz]

Great post Ray(Ca), actually Tesoro's disc. circuit is so good just by "thumbing" you actually have a very accurate TID without having an actual TID if you know what I mean. Can't wait to the snow is gone up here so I can give my new Vaquero a whirl. Steve.

 

[nick hunter]

Hi Ray

I've been a beach hunter for fifteen years now and I had several detectors in use. I also keep records of my finds. According to my logbooks, I have found the most (and the nicest jewelry) WITHOUT VDI !!. I think when using a "digital display", I am too fast in deciding NOT TO DIG because the display announces low conductivity targets. And that's just where 18K gold announces itself.

VDI machines are great for coin shooting. If considering an other type of hunting, non-TDI detectors will do a great job and get more finds.

HH

Nick the Belgian.

 

[Beale]

This is exactly why I bought a Vaquero! Thanks for the positive feedback on my choice to try non VID, Beale.

 

[tab-nabit]

I prefer a non-TID machine over a TID machine. Just can't get away from hunting by audio.
Not saying there is not a place for a TID, I have and use them too, but my preference is non-TID.

 

[dahut]

Done it for years - I call it "twiddling." With practice, it is smooth and doesnt slow you down.

I refine things a bit by making a little mark on the dial face where nickles and Zincers begin to break up. Then I have a VID Range detector!

I started with a Silver Sabre II and have always had a Tesoro twiddler of some sort. You can do alright with them.

 

[slingshot]

Ok,twiddlers. Here's a good one for you to consider. Get a good selection of "normal" tabs (NOT the ones that register in the nickel range). Now, find the mark on your discriminator where the biggest majority of these tabs "break up" (crackle) and carefully mark it:this is the only mark that has to be precise. Now, for a "notch discriminator" set your initial setting just below nickels(or above foil;your choice) and hunt. When you get a signal, move your dial to this preset mark. If it goes silent, it's in the nickel range. If it breaks up, it's in the pulltab range. And if the signal stays, it's in the coin range. You will only have to move your dial once to know the range the target falls in, and since this mark is so close to the hunt mark you will only have to move the dial a short distance. So if you get in a trashy site and feel helpless-try this one.