F5 driving me crazy

[lawnminer]

When i first got my f5 i could trust my tones but lately i have no confidence in what its telling me. Im getting 5bars in confidence n 88-90 readings telling me that its a quarter. Or 50 cents n lately my 5 is turning into a beercan uuun foil locator uuuuugggghh! Dont know if its a froblem with the machine or maybe its my lack of experience. My question is does anyone else with an f 5 have the same false IDs it's.driviving me crazy

 

[sqwaby]

Next time you suspect its a can, raise the coil up 8-10" off the ground if your still getting a loud solid signal you can bet its not a quarter. A quarter is not going to hit at more than 9 or 10" at least not with a solid report.

 

[TerraDigger]

It's not a issue with F5. Just about every VLF ID capable detector ever built will read aluminum cans (or large pieces of a can) as large denomination coins. Follow Sqwaby's advice/technique . Bury a quarter & aluminum can, and practice listening to the signals in all metal mode at various coil heights. In 20 minutes you will be a expert on what a large piece of aluminum sounds like. P.S...... Large pieces of iron & bent nails can also mimic coins on VLF target ID machines.

 

[lawnminer]

Thanks alot i'll try that n i appreciate all the advice. One question will the f5 read a nail as a coin even if have notched out fe,foil,nickel,and tabs thats how i run for coins. I also run my gain at 65 n -3 threshold. Thanks again. HH

 

[TerraDigger]

Yes, a bent nail can mimic a coin..even if disc'd out. Several types of junk targets can read as coins. You will discover this as you get more experience. Happens to all of us.

 

[Steve missouri]

No detector that I know of will notch out iron, foil, nickles, or pull tabs.I currently have 20 detectors that I have accumulated over the years, none of them will do it. All will take out small nails and screws, but nails bolts of any size will still come through, frequently as a good signal. Cans both tin and aluminum, or pieces of them commonly known as can slaw will always read good, flat washers and rusty steel bottle caps will nearly always read as a quarter. that's the bad news, the good news is that the F-5 is a very good machine, the learning curve for the average person is about 200-300 hours, to learn how to identify most trash and avoid it. You will always dig some trash no matter how much time you have on any detector, however your ratios will greatly improve. This is based on detectors from about 200 to 1500 dollars, the F-5 is very good it just takes time, good luck, happy hunting.