Went on my first hunt, today. I used to use an Etrac and felt it was the best coin machine I had ever used. Always found coins I had missed with other detectors. After seeing what the CTX3030 had going for it, I had to take the plunge. I wanted to use it in all those junky areas I had hunted before, so I got a 6" coil and used it today. I went to an old school built in 1912. It's only two blocks from my house, so I have hunted it hard over the years with several machines. Of course, it has been pounded by many hunters, as one would expect. They quit using it for a school a couple of years ago. I started along the sidewalk leading from the school to the large playgound. I had only gone five feet when I got a 12-46 reading at two inches. Dug a small plug and out of the grass roots fell a 1964D Roosevelt dime. I was stunned. It must of been next to some trash, or sometihing. A nice way to start. I was hunting in the default Coin mode. I increased Auto to +3 and turned Fast On.
Here's some initial impressions. Having used an Etrac before, it was like riding a bicycle all over again. The weight ditribution is much improved, but it is back heavy. Not nearly as tiring as the Etrac. I had to use the arm strap. Especially to use the pinpoint button. I've never liked using straps because I like to switch from one hand to the other when I get tired, and the strap is a hinderance. But with the balance the way it is, I will have to use the strap. The pinpoint button is awkward to use. Wish it had a trigger instead, but I can deal with it. My biggest disapointment was the screen. It's hard to see. Even with brightness at "10". What's the use of having a color screen if you can hardly see it in daylight conditions. Otherwise I'm happy with the machine. I also dug an 1983 Austrian coin, a cheap girls ring and 22 other coins. I have to say the depth reading is spot on. I dug four coins that read at seven inches and that's where they were. Dug a Memorial cent, a clad dime and two clad quarters at 7" deep. Was surprised at that depth they weren't older. They gave good signals, with jumpy readings. Will continue to dig solid signals with a deep reading, regardless of the jumpy ID. Lesson learned.
Thanks for looking, and keep on digging,
jimmyk in Missouri
Here's some initial impressions. Having used an Etrac before, it was like riding a bicycle all over again. The weight ditribution is much improved, but it is back heavy. Not nearly as tiring as the Etrac. I had to use the arm strap. Especially to use the pinpoint button. I've never liked using straps because I like to switch from one hand to the other when I get tired, and the strap is a hinderance. But with the balance the way it is, I will have to use the strap. The pinpoint button is awkward to use. Wish it had a trigger instead, but I can deal with it. My biggest disapointment was the screen. It's hard to see. Even with brightness at "10". What's the use of having a color screen if you can hardly see it in daylight conditions. Otherwise I'm happy with the machine. I also dug an 1983 Austrian coin, a cheap girls ring and 22 other coins. I have to say the depth reading is spot on. I dug four coins that read at seven inches and that's where they were. Dug a Memorial cent, a clad dime and two clad quarters at 7" deep. Was surprised at that depth they weren't older. They gave good signals, with jumpy readings. Will continue to dig solid signals with a deep reading, regardless of the jumpy ID. Lesson learned.
Thanks for looking, and keep on digging,
jimmyk in Missouri
