Everyone give input- How to tell if your find is deep or just small

[gates21]

I figured I would start a couple topics on what I find to be most difficult with the Minelabs (Etrac or Explorer). I will be walking through a park and hear just the faintest audible sound. Thinking its a deep item, I dig a deep plug, only to find its a tiny bit of metal usually 1-5 inches down. Since the depth gauge usually is off on small items, it appears that way that it is a deep find. What are your tips/techniques to determine if it is a truly deep find, or just a small bit of metal?

 

[unearth]

I don't care if the object is small or large. If I get good audio and the digital shows a good target, I dig.
HH Gary

 

[JohnTN]

Turn up your audio gain to about 28 it will make deep signals sound louder and very small targets will still sound very faint. If its a low conductor that sounds faint probably foil or can slaw, if its a high conductor dig.

 

[pro778]

I have a Garrett pinpointer. I like sunray better but I didn't want to deal with the cable. I dig a hole about 3 or 4" and then pinpoint the hole. That will tell you how deep and exactly where it is.

 

[Gary in Daytona]

That, and using pinpoint or a pinpointer after the first scoop comes out of the hole.

 

[burnitup]

gates21,i like the question and am in the same boat as you it sounds,my big thing with the e-trac is trying to figure out the deep iffy signal that everyone talks about, but havent seen a good description of so i can go out and try to figure what i am listening for and which ones to dig.Any ways good luck to us all.

 

[JCJEXPLORER]

gate21; Good question and here's my stab at the answer: There is no known way to determine if it is just a small target(trash) or a deep target(good target). I would say dig it if the site is producing good targets. I just dug 20+ buckshot rounds(trash) all shallow. Reason: Very good CW site that has produced good targets. (They all did not sound the same)

 

[McNickle]

n/t

 

[zincpenny]

Maybe try raising the coil an inch or two and see if you still hear it. If you don't then it may be a DEEP target. But if you still hear it then it may just be a shallow SMALL target.