Detecting your back yard

[USArmyParatrooper]

Sorry guys I got a ton of rookie questions.

I've been trying to learn my detector by searching my back yard. But I'm either getting mostly false hits or it's really hard to find some targets by digging. Also, sometimes it seems like target actually "moves". Before I dig I press the "pin point" button and carefully try to determine exactly where the peak signal is coming from. I even try "X-ing" where it's hitting. Grab a shovel and take a big scoop out and then recheck the hole with my detector, check the dirt mound I dug and search accordingly. I carefully run my fingers through all of the dirt and I still keep coming up dry.

As I said before, sometimes the detector will actually start hitting in a slightly different place than it was before.

I thought about whether or not it's hitting pipes leading up to my house. But wouldn't you be able to follow the pipes in a linear direction? In my case you can't. They seem to be actual points that beep.

 

[Woodchuck]

Hot Rocks,falseing sens to high,halo effect from metal that once was there now corroded and gone.Raise your loop up over your target if it disappears its junk ,if you still get a good signal dig,very your sweep and speeds while xing do you still get a good beep dig,if it diappears junk!. It takes practise and patience.Mult targests trash? Throw some coins and stuff down in a clean area see how your detector reacts to em by sweeping over them.Are you in a high EMI area? Read and re read your manual etc.DON"T GET DISCOURAGED WE ALL GO THROUGHT THIS.

 

[foiled again tab hunter]

n/t

 

[Jay Evans]

The Vaquero has the ability to hit very small targets. in Pinpoint mode does it sound off as a blip or beep? this should give you some idea of the target size. Blips could be a very small target and harder to find .... An old shotgun pellet would make a blip sound for instance and the Vaquero can detect targets of this size and even smaller. I've had the Vaquero hit on the back from an earring once and it was very hard to locate. A good pinpoint would help in that case. I use a vibraprobe..... some prefer the garret pro pointer. But what you describe is common when getting started in the hobby..... Keep practicing.

 

[Jay Evans]

Tesoro detectors are noted for being able to size the target in pinpoint mode (All metal) Practice pinpointing with targets under a piece of plywood.... this will give you an idea of what you'll be hearing out in the field when actually detecting. find a long piece of iron and some old jewelry , coins & pulltabs and practice listening to the different sounds they make. the tone won't change with the vaquero but the crispness of it will. junk targets sound choppy towards the end of a sweep at times. this is why you need to vary the sweep speed and length on a target to get a better idea of what it might be, if it breaks up and isn't a solid tone it could probably just be junk. It takes some time to develop these skills. But you will if determined enough. Good luck, I'll be watching for your first great find!

 

[Pap]

If you learn your detector

 

[joe dirt_1]

It sounds as though you might be detecting a rusty nail or a small piece of a nail. The nails seem to pinpoint in a different location than where it actually is. Try the side of the hole and you may find the source of the signal. A pinpointer like the Garrett's Pro Pointer will make it much easier to find those elusive signals.