Does air testing have a real value??

[mrgarlic]

I see some comments about air testing, mostly it seems by those having problems or think they are. Without a doubt, actual in the dirt testing is the best, but is air somewhat accurate??

 

[dewcon4414]

Most of the digital readings in Andys book and that others have posted were air tests. There are pretty accurate even in the ground until you start factoring in the total amount of targets being read under a coil in trashy area. In open areas until you get below say 7 inches the TDI does pretty well and will give you number close to those digital readings. BUT... most people are more interested in the SOUND of the targets that dont change a lot even at depth. I have noticed in Ferr those sounds will change when targets are within the halo of the coil but not centered. You can use air testing to fine tune the tones you want to hear and some what the depth. I normally just use a deep target in the ground, regardless of what the target is, to fine tune my detector. It has its place as a learning and setup tool.

Dew

 

[ivanll]

I use air testing to set a detector up with classification marks (sample pic), blue for our Silver coins because their Silver contents changed over time so did their conductivity, hence the spread of blue stickers.
Orange is for our Copper coins, normally nails will not show in this area, except if one gets to a place once used for building wooden boats with Copper nails and washers, I've run into a couple of these places in the past. (can be very interesting)

ivanll

 

[Larry (IL)]

For comparing coils on a particular detector or ID'ing shallow targets on a test run yes, it has it's place. For those who think depth testing is the same will be disappointed.

 

[dewcon4414]

Aman to that Larry. Its a starter point, but dont expect deep coins, coins on their side, or coins next to other metal to react the same.

Dew

 

[Southwind]

Some people find it very valuable, others think it's worthless. But then some people can read War and Peace and come away thinking it's a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

 

[Jerry-Wi]

I think air testing has some real value but you have to keep in mind what you are doing. For example, I am building a detector and it is very useful to be able to test for improvement or degradation of the circuit or coils. To that extent, I have built a machine just for that purpose so I can set the distance and sweep speed with any coin or metal object I choose.

Having said all that, be very careful on using an air test to compare between different brands of detectors at different locations. There are lots of variables that can enter in that may or may not reflect favorably on the detector.

Jerry

 

[Southwind]

Somewhere on here is a post where the air test good or bad came up and to clear the topic someone called a Fisher technician. He basically said an air test WAS a best case scenario and it all goes down hill from there(in the ground). So according to him I would say an air test has quite a bit of value. Of course unless your chosen brand doesn't do well then you go with the "air test doesn't mean squat" fable.

 

[BarberBill]

I feel the air test is a good, quick indication on how well a detector/coil combination is working or useful when comparing different machines. However, I'm with Southwind on the "air test doesn't mean squat" scenario. I've seen posts where the poster claims their machine doesn't test well in the air, but does much better in the ground. Considering all the discussions about the limiting effects of mineralized ground and other factors, I'd have to see it to believe it. I'm betting in a closely controlled study on in-ground targets that one will always see a diminished response compared to same target in an air test.
My two bits.
BB

 

[UK Brian]

Jerry makes a good point.

I think with any new detector (or new coil purchase) if you make just a few basic notes of say the distance it detects to in air on a copper/silver coin and then an alloy one. Use presets if the detector has them. Check every so often that it still manages those distances. Could be coil or circuit fault starting. Use a couple of different types of metal because some coils fail more towards a certain metal type. My old Deepscan P.I. seemed as good as ever from number of finds but alloy totals were way down. Turned out to be the start of salt corrosion in the coil.

 

[OldBeechnut]

This air test does, shows the improvment in sensitivity once the amp is turned on...but I would not take the noted improvement as a indication of how deep it would hit due to the different matrix's of the earth being detected........Obn

 

[RELIC_HUNTER]

No.

 

[OldBeechnut]

Video of improved sensitivity on airtest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twQsExBnm7o&feature=player_embedded