Digging those "iffy" signals

[Neil in West Jersey]

I hear a lot about those IFFY signals. To me an iffy signal is when you get a beelltone, but then it is gone until the 5th or sixth sweep. To others it is when it bounces from pull-tab to penny with each sweep. I am curious WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER AN "IFFY" SIGNAL?

One more question, I got a strong quarter reading, the machine said four inches. I gave up after digging 8 or nine due to a limited amount of daylight, figuring it was too deep to be a quarter...any thoughts? What have you found when recovering deep coin signals are much deeper than the detector says?

 

[Spanky]

I use the 550 and it serves me well. I know exactly what you mean and have dug holes deeper than what the detector is saying but its usually a metal pipe or heavy chunk of steel that soaks up the signal and gives a false signal.Saying that I have also dug down and have found a nice coin as well. I dig all iffys as a rule.

 

[John-Edmonton]

The ACE 250 will read a large target deeper then it is. If you continue to swing the 1500 over a target, the signal will eventually fade away. Iffy signals are signals that will "Boink" or bell tone one way but not the other. It could be a ring or a coin on an angle. An iffy signal is also a nice solid stable sounding signal close but not "Right ON" a coin icon on the screen. An iffy signal is also one that bounces between a good target and junk. Usually iffy signals are junk, however, they can also be nice jewellery or foreign coins. If you encounter an iffy signal, move the coil over it from different directions to see if it improves. Also, stamp your foot on the signal "hard" and see if it disappears or improves.

Dig or not dig? Your choice
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[Neil in West Jersey]

Using the Grand Master Hunter CXIII.

I usually dig all "iffy" signals, as time will allow. Sometimes, however, I will get a good belltone with one sweep & it is gone, and sometimes these are impossible to pinpoint in motion mode. In these cases I also try to use the "ALL METAL, NON-MOTION" mode (a great feature found on the CXIII) which sometimes can help me pinpoint a difficult signal.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Also whip the coil back and forth over the target in short strokes to see if you get a belltone.

Bill

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

From the land of the Bluenose....depending on what machine you are using the thing about iffy signals is that once you get a reading that bounces all over the place try the pinpointing and tracing mode...have an old Garrrett that I run on max depth and no discrimination and once I get a bell tone on that setting I use the pinpointer/tracer to confirm a target. 6th sense plays a part in this too....so what if you dig a piece of junk! Happy hunting.

 

[jeff@middlesex]

But do these really turn up to be good targets? I find if it won't pinpoint then it is trash.

 

[John-Edmonton]

Sometimes they are partially masked by another metal object, and the pinpointing is weird....but the odd time you dig it, you score a nice find. But, you also have to factor in the time issue.

 

[Mac _ Park]

Hey Camman, I to have used the CXIII for years and know those iffy signals well. First if you are searching in coin mode, switch to "motion all metals" and see if you get a bell tone both ways. All metals tends to add 2-3 inches. If it only tones one way it is not something good. A bell tone in both directions is usually a good signal. I have tested rings and coins in my coin garden, and learned to ID them by sound. Setting the Threshold can help discriminate those Good one way signals from the bad. I have also turned my plate on an angle and re swept the target to help ID a coin on it's side. I believe I have mastered this machine and have purchased a few others, so I can feel as if I'm a new hunter again. One of my CXIII's is on Ebay now (seller jadablue4) with photo's of some of my finds with that beautiful Garrett !!! Good Luck - Happy Huntin' Jerry