diagnostics???

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I am new to md, I have been reading about it off and on for 30 years.
I actually built one in 1974, and it worked. I could find the wiring in the walls. The coil was covered by a frizbee, to make it look authentic. The dog eventually chewed up the frizbee, and I lost interest for a while.
Last month, based on reviews I had read about the Explorer XS, I purchased one from KellyCo.
It arrived a couple weeks ago, and everything seems to function.
The problem is that I am not going to be proficient enough with it in the near future to know what's working and what's not.
Are there some paces I can run it thru to make sure I got what I paid for?
Thanks, Don

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sure some of the more experianced guys will have better ideas but. You can air test the machine by simply laying it on a table with the coil hanging out over the edge, making sure there is no metal within a two foot radius. Then turn it on and pass coins in front of the coil. Try different types and different distances from the coil. This will not only show you it's working it will teach you what good targets sound like and where they show up on the display. You can also try pulltabs, rings, foil, and screwcaps. I strongly recommend this to all new users as it will give you a way to get familiar with the machine at home in a relaxed setting without people looking over your shoulder. It is important that you learn these sounds and display info before going out in the field to save a lot of unproductive work and frustration.
If you got Andy Sabisch's book with the detector set down with it and the detector. Spend a few hours reading and working with the detector before you go out. If you didn't get the book buy it. It is well worth the money.
Everyone is eager to get out in the field and try it but a few hours spent at home will save untold wasted hours in the field and will answer a lot of questions for you. This is a complex machine and needs time.
Also hit the forums most of your questions will already been answered.
After five months I am still learning and just begining to feel trully comfortable with my machine. I wish I had taken these steps when I started. I would have saved myself many frustrating hours.

 

[Anonymous]

Rich,
Thanks for the reply. I have tried some of what you suggested, but there are sooo many combinations of adjustments. I think it will be several months before I'll have them catagorized.
Don

 

[Anonymous]

Stick with the basics at first. Use the default program until you get familiar with the machine.
The book is a big help if you have your machine right there with you to practice what you read. Read a little then try what you read. It will sink in alot faster that way.
Watch this and the other forum and you'll pickup a lot.
Post your location maybe there is someone in your local area you can get with for a day. You'll learn more in a day that way than a month on your own.

 

[Anonymous]

Don,
Welcome to our world... After having just over 90 hours in w/ my Minelab, it's still amazing me.
The best advice I can give you right now is also listed in Andy's book (you should have gotten that w/ the Minelab package from KellyCo). I would suggest finding a clean spot in your yard and bury some change - plant a test garden if you will.
Once you have a garden in place, it's a lot easier to fool around w/ settings to see what's what. I buried penny's, nickels, dimes, quarters at 2", 4", 6", 8". I then burried junk at 4", and lastly I buried junk w/ a penny, nickel, dime, quarter.
Now whenever I read a new setting, I just run out back and see what is does. The next advanced lesson, also taken from that book, is to make an overlay so I can make a mental note where stuff starts appearing. I found the overlay was great for training but didn't really work in the field too well.
Stick w/ it and post questions as they come up - this forum has been a great help for me and everyone is pretty friendly - as long as you don't mention an XLT/DFX <IMG SRC="/forums/images/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="">
~Tim