First Post! The move from Garrett Ace 250 to Minelab 705, tomorrow is a big day.

[techdetect]

First post to this forum: Thanks to all who read and respond. Well, I have been lingering for a few months on here and other forums and decided to purchase the X-terra 705 Gold Pack. I have had the Ace 250 for a bit longer than a year and must say that it is a great machine. I have found a lot with it and just last week I found another silver ring in a junky area so i must be getting good. The reason I have switched is because my favorite place to hunt is littered with old nails and shread from tin roofs. I have found my first IH penny there and several wheaties from 1919 - 1930's. Many more things that i will post eventually. I can't wait to see the difference between the X-terra and Ace 250, at least I hope there is a huge difference since there is a difference in price. I like that this website has specific forums for users of certain M'dings i wish the others did too.

Are there any users from central Indiana? I would like to know what general settings you use to give me an idea on how to begin. Most people say to stick in All metal mode for the first 100hrs or so to get a feel for the machine and dig everything to learn the tones and ID's.

Please tell me i'm wrong on this, as i want to have the chicken before the egg.

Wish me luck, going to pick it up in the morning and I have the rest of the day to hunt. Is there any wagers out there on what I will find? I tell you what, if i find a gold or silver ring within the next seven days, I will post a picture of everything i have up to date found while M'ding within one week of finding it.

Happy hunting to all and please save some for the new guy.

 

[Digger]

Welcome to the X-TERRA forum. This is an excellent place to share your questions, suggestions and ideas as there are a lot of knowledgeable folks who participate in the discussions. So don't be shy!

If you've been studying the X-705, then I am sure you are aware that threre are a lot of differences between the Ace 250 and the X-TERRA 705. To name a few, the X-705 offers 28 notch segments instead of the 12 you had on your Ace. This will allow you to identify and catergorize the conductive properties of each target more accurately. You have 30 possible Sensitivity settings instead of the 8 you had on your Ace. This will allow you to tune your X-TERRA in such a way to maximize depth, without sacrificing stability. You have the option of using 28 tones (one for each notch segment) on the X-705 instead of the 3 tone levels on your Ace. Having one tone for each notch segment allows you to "hunt by ear" without constantly monitoring the TID. Your X-705 has noise cancel capabilities, where as your Ace did not. This allows you to chose an operating channel that has minimal interference, at each particular site. You have ground balance capabilities, where your Ace did not. Properly setting the ground balance will result in more stable operation, greater depth of detection and more accurate TID of the targets. The list goes on and on. But again, if you've studied the X-TERRA and hung around this forum, you already know what it is capable of doing.

Two things you can do before you even pick up the new detector...........read the manual, then read it again. It is available on Minelab's website or you can find a link in our FAQFAQ section. You might browse the other posts in the FAQFAQ section as you can pick up some good tips from some of the more popular posts. Another thing I'd recommend is to read my eBook, Understanding your X-TERRA. You can find the link to download a free copy on Minelab's website or in the top post of this forum. Once you understand what each setting does, and how one setting may affect another, you'll be ready to hit the ground running.

How would I start? Since you're not new to detecting, just new to the X-TERRA, I would recommend that you print out a copy of the TID chart (also in the FAQFAQ section) to get a general idea as to what US coins will register on your TID. Realize that there are a lot of variables that can alter any buried target's ID. Then I'd grab a handful of coins, jewelry, nails and some tin from that site you mentioned and wave each of them under the coil. Make note of the sound they produce as well as the numeric TID. Change around using the factory Patterns as well as All Metal. Modify one of the Patterns to reflect the types of targets you want to dig. Try using the various tone options, but make an effort to learn the differences in pitch of multiple tones. Know that when you get to the site you can set your NC automatically, run in Tracking so you don't have to worry about ground balancing on your first trip, and set the Sensitivity up to a level that allows for max depth and min chatter. If you don't want to continue hunting in the Tracking mode, you can simply turn off tracking and the X-705 will "lock on" the last ground phase setting that it registered. Most of all............enjoy your X-TERRA. There isn't any secret to being successful in this hobby. It takes research, patience and knowing how to maximize the performance of your detector. JMHO HH Randy

 

[T.A.L.LasVegas]

Start off reading the ebook by digger at the top of this forum and then read it some more next watch a YouTube video
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=VPJ7uMulip0
Then read the ebook again and now you are ready to start learning the x-terra 705 go hunting have fun and dig dig dig if you really want to know.
I have had my x-terra 705 gold pack two weeks now and have hunted the school across the street, I hunt in c/t mode #1 and started with sensitivity set low to just focus on shallow targets until I learn what the MD is saying to me excluding the grass I hunted in two inches of dirt or less. Today I increased my sensitivity to 21 and was popping coins at six inches deep, I can set the sensitivity even higher and will after some more practice.
If you do not have one I highly recommend buying the Garrett pro-pointer every target I had today I found with my new pro-pointed (yeah I just used it first time today) I pooped more targets out of the ground today than ever before using it; if you get the pro-pointer the trick that allows more depth works great.
I see no reason to start off in all metal mode but that is just my humble opinion.
HH
Todd

 

[Old Longhair]

Welcome to he Xterra fraternity!

I agree the others.
I'm hard of hearing, and mearly tone hunting doesn't work for me. However, I can still distinguish between a lot of differences in the characteristics of the tones. For instance, if the tone chortles or fractures, if accompanied by jumping ID's, it's often canslaw. Coins will produce a much cleaner distinctive tone. I've run into times when I thought I was in the middle of some slaw, but slowed down my swing a little to find that it was actually a spill. I was able to disearn the differences between the multiple tones of the spill as opposed to the chortling sounds of shreaded soda can. Combined with now stable TID's, I picked my way into and through the spill one coin at a time.

The moral of my story is that tone detecting can mean different things for different people, and be utilized uniquely according to your ability and situation. Don't reley on the TID, but learn to understand it and encorporate that. Along with the quality of the tone, the TID can help keep you from wasting time on trash.

And I can't emphasize enough...READ RANDY'S E-BOOK!
Then go hunting.
When you return, READ RANDY'S E-BOOK AGAIN!
You'll keep absorbing tidbits each time, and improving each hunt.

HH

 

[tjhoosier]

I'm in central Indiana and I am using an Xterra-505. Not a lot different from your 705. I've had it about a year, but still consider myself a novice because of the lack of time I have to use it. But all the above advice is sound. I am still in the process of reading Randy's book and frequently reference the manual for the 505. My best find to this point has been an Indian arrow head believe it or not. I was digging a target around an old barn (which turned out to be an old nail like I suspected) and out popped the arrow head. It was very surprising, but also very cool. But soon you will be able to look at your visual display and listen to your tones when you hit a target and have a good idea if it's "trash" or good stuff. Good luck and good hunting.

 

[techdetect]

Thank you all,

That is some really helpfull advice. Well, I didn't find the ring yesterday but there are many many more days to come. The X-terra is NOT an Ace 250, which is a good thing. I started out in CT mode #2 as the book indicated that this was best for coin hunting. I found a memorial, just like the Ace, i was bummed a little. I kept my head up high and moved on. The next few digs were pop tabs around 8 - 12 and a can around 40-44. I should of known it was a can since when i pinpointed the sound was loud and the area scanned was a bit larger than a short whooop for a coin. But i had to dig just because if i didn't then how was i going to learn. I found about 52 cents just wondering around the park. A quarter, couple of dimes and some pennies.

I have a question for ya'll,

When i get to the park or wherever i go, should i perform adjust the Noise Cancel, Threshold setting, sensitivity, and ground balance? I was watching a video from Minelab where Kevin Hoagland from minelab where he demonstrates how to do this. Are these steps required to get the best detecting experience? If i just got my machine and went to any park could i turn it on switch to mode 2 and carry on. What would be the outcome other than the 52 cents i found and all the goodies that i didn't. I think i goofed, duh...!

I will keep reading the manual, and book as well as research the FAQ pages. Thanks to all, great help, and HH!

 

[Old Longhair]

I have a question for ya'll,

When i get to the park or wherever i go, should i perform adjust the Noise Cancel, Threshold setting, sensitivity, and ground balance? I was watching a video from Minelab where Kevin Hoagland from minelab where he demonstrates how to do this. Are these steps required to get the best detecting experience? If i just got my machine and went to any park could i turn it on switch to mode 2 and carry on. What would be the outcome other than the 52 cents i found and all the goodies that i didn't. I think i goofed, duh...!

I will keep reading the manual, and book as well as research the FAQ pages. Thanks to all, great help, and HH!

Yep. You goofed.
Yes, for the best results you need to perform those functions first at each location that you hunt, every time you hunt them. Conditions even at the same location will change from day to day.

HH

 

[techdetect]

Thanks Old Longhair, May you be blessed with silver the next time you go hunting. Just about how much of a difference would there be if i did and if i didn't. Can you or anyone give examples. I might have to get the flashlight out and hit the same area tonight.

Thanks again, Oh the learning curve, but i like it... and that is all that matters...

 

[Old Longhair]

It's pretty simple actually. Not doing it will be a lot like your 250.....fixed ground balance essencially.

Proper ground balance is imperative to seeing maximum depth.
Proper noise cancal means lower threshhold (<- good).
And then run the highest sensitivity that you can with stability.

 

[Digger]

When you perform a Noise Cancel, you minimize the degree to which your detector is adversely influenced by EMF, RFI or other "outside" interference. In other words, the electronics in your X-TERRA choses the channel that is least effected by "outside" interference, at that particular location. I will also perform a NC several times throughout the hunt. Never know when someone might crank up their home wireless network or ham radio.
Although some may disagree, I've proven to myself that having a properly set Threshold can make the difference in finding small targets or passing them over. If your Threshold is set too loud, you might not hear the slight signals. If it is not loud enough to hear at all, you won't hear rejected targets null out.
Having too much Sensitivity will adversely affect the depth of detection in that adjacent targets will be more likely to mask out the good ones. Having it too low will not allow you to get the maximim depth of detection. I set my Sensitivity so it just starts to chatter when I sweep. Then I back if off a click or two.
Ground Balance is the most simple form of discrimination as it tunes your detector to ignore the effects of both magnetic and conductive mineralzation. If you set your ground phase with too large of number, that is called having a negative ground balance. A negative ground balance will under-compensate for the mineralization and make your X-TERRA less sensitive to small or deep targets. Having the ground phase set with too low of number is called having a positive ground balance. Having too much positive ground balance can cause your X-TERRA to chirp and produce false signals. With that said, I do like to run with a slight amount of positive ground phase. To do this, I set my ground phase to the proper setting and then lower the number by a few clicks. I'm convinced that this "fools my detector" into thinking the ground is more mineralized than it actually is, making it sound off more distinctly on deep and small targets.

While you are just starting to learn the X-TERRA, I would suggest that you lower the Sensitivity to the teens prior to setting the ground balance. Doing so will allow you to hear the ground balance tone more readily. Once the ground balance is set, turn up the Sensitivity until it starts to chatter when you sweep, then lower it a click or two. JMHO HH Randy

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Enjoy your X-Terra.
I have had hundreds of hours on the Ace and many hundreds on the X-Terras. Both are fun.
It depends on your personal preference as to what you want to hunt in Pattern 1 works real sweet as well. If you like to hear every target, then no reason not to use the all metal mode. I don't and rarely have. That's just my personal preference though. There is no right or wrong answer to that. You will eventually do a bit better in all metal as you'll most likely have a faster recovery speed when you do that.
Good luck with it.
Mick Evans.

 

[Chris Mac]

Welcome friend! The best thing about owning an XTerra is getting to talk to the great people on this forum, who are always willing to share their experience, enthusiasm and time.

 

[TURNMASTER]

Noise Cancel is very important at every site and can make or break for deeper targets or stability, I have seen the difference of hearing a penny at 3 inches or not. Ground Balance must be done at every site and can vary within a fairly small area. Set your Threshold to a just audible level (mine is 3 to 5). The factory preset is WAY to high. I hunt in pattern 1 and AM, back and forth. Some others hunt a wide open pattern with 48 notched out to kill Iron wrap, Randy uses this trick. Iron will hit at the top of the TID as well as at the negative numbers. I use pattern 1 and will double check an iffy signal in AM or sometimes just hunt in AM.

Running in Tracking mode is a great tool. A word of caution though (even though I run in tracking A LOT) it can and will cut your depth in certain sites and may disc out some deeper targets. However in other sites it will improve your depth. I believe it will increase depth in iron infested sites. Read old home sites and the like. You should play with it to figure out how it works best in your area, we have fairly hot soil here. I often GB in the low teens and several times have been at 7 to 9. I love it when I hit a site that runs above 30.

If you do not have a decent set of headphones, that should be on the short list and an even better set should be on the slightly longer list. Buy the best set you can afford. They do make a difference, you will be able to tell a bent rusty nail from a Quarter. I still dig the nails often though. Detector Pro and Sunray seem to be 2 of the more popular. The Koss UR 30 has pretty good sound. Cal Rads work for cheap. Ratphones and Troy are said to be very good also, but availability may be spotty. I have a set of Bushmasters by Detector Pro and love them, good sound rugged and block noise very well. AND they have a lifetime warranty. I have had a speaker come loose 2x and just call, send in and they are back with in 2 weeks. I tend to be hard on tools.

Do not be disappointed if it takes you another 100 to 150 hours to learn this machine.

Jeff

Oh Yeah sometimes that 5x10 coil likes iron still it is one of the 2 favorite coils I have, the other is the 6' HF coil.