First Hunt w/ New Excal....

[Crash620]

Here is the results of my first hunt w/ my new Excal....
[attachment 60934 Nut_062507.jpg]
Sniffed this ring out in the water....
[attachment 60936 Pirate.jpg][attachment 60937 Ring_lg.jpg]
Does this Qualify me as a Surf Pirate??? Wish it was silver...

On a more serious note, I have a concern w/ the new machine, maybe someone can provide some input. I was hunting w/ discrimination set to 1 and threshold barely audible(just the way I like it). When I passed over iron, the machine nulled as expected, it also returned the low tone for iron, also expected. The problem: the returning volume of the threshhold iron response was SIGNIFICANTLY louder (about to the level of a target response). Thinking I might be running to hot, I dialed the sensitivity to auto, and even tried minimum sensitivity, still the threshold hum after an iron null was extremely loud. I was only able to restore a normal threshhold volume by adjusting threshold level, sweeping my coil past my aluminum scoop, or detecting until another target was located(sometimes quite a while listening to that loud buzzing ). This does not seem to be operating as intended, as it seems to defeat the purpose of using a barely audible threshold. It is loud and annoying. Has anyone had this experience, or is this normal for the machine?
Regards,
Keith

 

[RobRcer]

Its perfectly normal for it to do that. If it annoys me, i normally just pass the scoop handle over it real quick, but if you go over a target it will go right back to the barely audible threshold. The lower and louder tone doesnt affect it. It just takes a little time getting used to. I hold the scoop in my left hand, with the scoop part behind me, and the handle in front (balances much better that way i thinks, and its WAY easier than if you had it the other way becuz you dont have to do as much work to pass scoop over coil) and everytime it does that, i just keep sweeping and lower the handle of the scoop so the detector can pick it up, then raise the handle back up. I can take a video if you need more explanation. Good luck, HH

Robert

 

[Gulf Hunter]

These are in the water settings. Get out of Auto for starters. Set the Sensitivity to 11-12 position. I usually am able to run 11, unless the current is REALLY RIPPING. Then set the Threshold to barely audible and then turn down to just no longer audible. There will be no more noise, but the unit WILL let you know, when you go over a good target. No, you will not hear the nulls, but you will not be distracted, by a bunch of unnecessary noise either. This setting may need to be readjusted, as you get into deeper water. Try it, you may really like it. Originally recommended by cjc, in his new Excal book. If you have not gotten a copy, then I would highly recommend it. Good luck. GH

 

[Crash620]

Thanks for the info. The manual said nothing about the volume going up too... It is definitely annoying. You would think it would be something easily engineered out. The machine already nulls to tell me I passed something that was discriminated, and I can certainly see the threshold tone changing, but I dont need the machine to scream, HEY YOU MISSED IRON. I even raised my disc. level on some foil, and the machine nulled. When the treshold returned, it was the tone of the foil, but not nearly as loud as the threshold after iron. Still just doesnt seem right to me. I can see why some people would consider hunting w/ no threshold.

 

[Crash620]

Thanks... I had my threshold at 11, and thought that was my problem, thinking it was too hot for my area. I may certainly give your threshold settings a try! Need to get the book too... Thanks.
Regards,
Keith

 

[PaPa-Joe-Fla.]

n/t

 

[Crash620]

No complaints from me. I was glad to find any kind of ring on my first outing.

 

[Gulf Huntress]

Hi Crash, that looks like one of my normal hunts lately. Just keep on swinging, GH won't stir you wrong, he has mine Excal set like he told you and I don't hear a thing unless it is a good target, can slaw or coins. I still dig everything that gives off a nice tone. At least you did get a ring on your first time out, the goods are there, keep up the good work. The Gold ones are just waiting for you. HH

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Crash, the Excal takes on the threshold tone of the last target it passes over, as you have seen. With iron, that's NO TONE, so you basically lose the threshold. Or MOST of it. And as you actually found out, a quick flash of the scoop handle near the coil brings it back. What you need to do is to adjust your threshold to a slight buzz when it's loud and then leave it that way. Then, when you lose it over an iron null, instead or turning it UP again, do the scoop flash thing and it comes back. This is a normal thing with the Excal and when you get that workaround down pat, it's second nature.

As for your settings, I wouldn't change a thing. And judging by your aluminum tabs and stuff, when you run over a gold ring, it will be yours! Happy hunting!

 

[bdahunter]

Mike has a point Crash, especially since you are just starting out. What Mike is proposing is the conventional method for detecting with an Excal and he speaks from experience as he has had excellent results with the accepted technique.
What GH is proposing is a little more experimental in nature and I am using the same settings myself, it has worked extremely well for me so far and I will continue using this setting until my results indicate that I might do better using more conventional methods. Please note that GH didn't just dream this up out of the thin air but is basing this technique on Clive's Excal book. The choice is yours but the traditional approach may be easier for you until you get a feel for the Excal.

Kind Regards,

BDA

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Nail > Head > BAM!

 

[Crash620]

Thanks to all for the input. I gave Mikes suggestion a whirl this afternoon, lowering the threshold volume to a slight buzz after an iron null. I assume from your post, Mike, that I should then be able to hear the normal background threshold after sweeping my coil. Only problem is when I flash the coil w/ my scoop, the resulting threshold is no longer audible due to the significant difference in their volumes. Probably just me , but my hearing is good, so I know it's not that. Oh well... Will give GH's method a try tomorrow. Thanks again to all.
Keith

 

[Crash620]

Thanks for listening

<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i206.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid206.photobucket.com/albums/bb280/Crash620/MDing/ExcalAudio.flv"></embed>
Threshold before iron, after null(buzzing), and good target/threshold

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Well, what I meant was to adjust the threshold AFTER you "flash" the coil with your scoop, when the threshold has returned to "normal". Then, if it subsequently gets dorked up again due to a null, re-do the flash trick. Works every time.

If that isn't doing it for you then try GH's method, because you probably will do better with the silent search method.

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

The threshold at the beginning was set way too high. I would recommend a SLIGHT buzz, barely audible. That was blasting. ???