equipment problems. . .. or is it cause i'm a novice?

[stonebreaker]

I just got my first metal detector, a GTI 2500 Garrett. I've been out twice, both times in my yard which is very trashy metalwise. My problem is twofold, one, sometimes i can't find any metal at the depth it says and two, many times it gives me a reading of 6" and cones down to 12", in other words each graduation from 6 to 12 shows. Also, i get different depth readings each time i pass over it. Sometimes i lose the signal altogether. Any suggestions, comments, etc.?

 

[BILLinOK]

Hi and welcome to the forum. There are many here that will help you through the problems. First, re-read your manual and re-watch the DVD on the 2500. The 2500 is a great machine, but as in any other detector you have to learn the different aspects of it......usually many hours, so you need to practice, practice and more practice. Don't give up, I promise you it will come around. Your first question about the depth then not finding any thing......pinpointing the target is a must. Practice pinpointing with a known target. The DVD shows this, just follow along as they show. The cone, if I'm understanding right, shows from 6 - 12"........this is "usually" a target deeper than 12 inches. Try to find somewhere that is not as trashy as you say, that may help some also. The other guys here can give you much more instruction, but remember re-read and rewatch the instructions and DVD, practice what you see and read.
Bill

 

[zamora]

dig everything when you do that a few hundred times you get used to the sounds and what your detector says- and the different things you pull up--i still get a good signel sometimes and i dig and nothing there, this is my 2nd yr MDind and im digging a lot more coins and a lot less trash

 

[mickey]

As the manual says, the cones are sometimes produced erroneously when you are not centered over the target. Don't be as concerned about what the depth says, rather be more noticing if you can get a repeatable image after passing the coil 2 or 3 times over the target. Also, I tend to run my sensitivity around 7 or 8, and I get less false imaging doing this. You also mentioned that sometimes you lose a signal or get a different signal. If the target is not symmetric,like a coin, each swing of coil produces a different image due to the shape of the object, and if the image jumps around a lot, it is usually trash. When I lose a signal on mine, I always go to all metal, and 9 times out of 10 you will regain the signal. Slow down, have patience, and keep at it, because it is a great machine. Had mine now for 5 years now, and already paid for itself in clad and old coin value...Good luck and trust the machine

 

[KCK]

Mickey, has given you some really great advice. I'd take it for just what he's telling you, he's right on money with this one!

Had my GTI 2500 for 3 years and love it, but it took me almost a full season before I could use it right! Now it's sweet success!

You'll love it!


KCK/Ohio

 

[KCK]

Very good advice, I tried this, I almost threw the GTI 2500 in the trash. I was Seriously, depressed that I spent so much money on this machine at first. One of the things that helped me the most, was digging everything for a while, Recheck your holes too! Because one of the biggest problems I had was the detector telling me, 5 cent, penny, jumping to quarter, I called it a lair! heheheh I did! I was mad at that thing! Then I began digging those signals, and wouldn't you know it all that change was in the whole! Amazing!


KCK/Ohio

 

[KCK]

n/t

 

[Uncle Willy]

WElcome to the forum. First of all I wouldnot have purchased a 2500 for my very first machine as it has a bit of a learning curve. You will have to practice a lot and put atleast 100 hours on this machine before you become familiar with all aspects of it.

Turn your threshold down to a very slight hum or silent. Turn your sensitivity down to 6 or 6.5. Tape your cable straight up the shaft for about a foot. Scan slow and with the coil an inch or so off the ground. Centering your target correctly is crucial for all readings to be even close to accurate. When centering your target pay attention to where the audio is strongest and watch the cursors at the top of the screen ( signal intensity ). When they line up all the way across, the target will be under the center of the coil.

Stay out of your back yard or any trashy area until you have mastered your machine. Spend your time practicing in bark chip playgrounds until you learn how your detector works and responds to different targets. Tape some coins to the back of a piece of cardboard, lay it down where there is no metal under it, then practie locating those coins and pinpointing them and use a sharp object to poke through the cardboard to see if you have pinpointed your target correctly. Good luck.

Bill

 

[Texdon]

I agree with all the advice you have received from the different ones
here on the forum, you couldn't get any more knowlegeable advice
anywhere. The only thing that I have to add is " Read your your owners
guide that you got with your machine as many times as it takes to understand the different aspects of it. Then take that sucker out and
USE it, you just can't beat hands on experience. I have a GTI-2500 and
that's what I did. Happy hunting