First outing with Sov

[Tseeker]

I am posting this on other forums as well so I can get plenty of feedback.

I took my new Sov to Melbourne this past week and while I am aware that it requires a learning curve all it's own, I would like to know if it is working normally.
Nance Beach, Indialantic

quick operating startup mode with 10" coil:

Mode switch to disc. iron mask /OFF.
GB to PP
volume control at 3:00
threshold/silent switch to threshold.
Threshold to just audible (actually had to use headphone control to lower volume)
Seas to auto
Disc to third dot.
Notch to zero

High tone threshold
fluctuating meter 3's in air
starting near the dunes and working toward the water and back meter was mostly about 115 with occasional 114 or 116 even down to the wet sand and surf. Is this normal?
at times hit targets which nulled which I knew was supposed to be iron and indeed produced rusty junk or nails with #'s in the -320's Other times hit a patch which gave a sudden low tone or growl which would not stop unless coil went near another target.These were trash targets as well. Waved coil near my metal scoop to bring it back to a high tone which usually after a second or two would change to a slightly lower (mid/high?) tone and numbers in the 110's , usually about 115.Is this normal? I have read about this on the forum here, and as I recall this is a quirk of this machine but I want to confirm that. Sometimes I would get a mid tone and fluctuating numbers which settled down the more I removed the matrix. Now even I know that's normal.
Also screen on meter exhibits scorch like discoloration which I attributed to change in temperature. It was like that in the hotel room but remained like that out in the sun. Right now turned off and not having been used for a couple of days it is clear. Is this or anything else that I have described cause for concern? Like I mentioned in a previous post, I lost my mind spending this much and I want all the feedback I can get.
Thanks for reading.

 

[Tseeker]

HELLLOOOOOOO! Anybody?

 

[fwcrawford]

Not sure if I can answer all your questions, but the Sovereign being a multitone machine will hold the tone of the last target it detects OR nulls on until it detects another target of different makeup.
The low numbers you encountered could have been pieces of foil.. I don't recall my Sovereign reading numbers in the low teens all the time while beach hunting.
Have you calibrated the meter to read 180 on a quarter?
This has to be done and rechecked from time to time to make sure the knob is not moved.
As far as the screen on the meter..... when I first got my machine, I bought a new meter and the screen on my meter was frosted looking and I couldn't even see the numbers.
I called the folks that I got it from and they exchanged it for another one which is fine.
This meter would not clear up and came like this in the package.. can't say what is causing your problem except maybe condensation under the lense.. don't know.
Hope this helps some and hopefully others will chime in,
Felix

 

[extoyboy]

Have you calibrated your meter,test with $1 coin and set to 150 (knob on back of meter)Turn volume to max unless in trashy area no disc.Volume is also depth boost

 

[Rick(ND)]

First off I feel you will be glad you spent that much for this detector if you take the time to understand it and learn it well. Most everything you have posted is normal for the first time user of the Sovereign and it will get better as you use it more and understand it. Look at the meter only when trying to ID a signal that is repeatable as the meter reading is that of the last tone of what the coil seen, so it seems like it is mostly low tone growls to lower to a medium tones heard most of the time. Iron will null and come back with a low tone growl with minus numbers on the meter, other wise it seem the meter reading will run around 112-165 unless you hit a higher conductive target then it will go 173 to 180 if you have your meter calibrated to 180. I go by a good repeatable tone then look I look at the meter and try to ID the target, it will get easier to use the more you use it as it does seem like you learn something new each time out with it.

 

[Critterhunter]

Iron Mask ON will pull more coin signals out of trash. I always hunt with it ON.

 

[Tseeker]

fwcrawford:
I had not done anything with the calibration. I may have to call kellyco or minelab about the screen, it may or may not be serious. Thanks for the input.
tseeker.

 

[Tseeker]

extoyboy:
OK so, a $1 coin to 150? Not a quarter to 180?
Thanks,
tseeker

 

[Tseeker]

Thanks critterhunter!