First time out with the CTX

[Diego]

So I have read til my eyes were sore, and fooled around with the new detector in the backyard coin garden as much as I could. In spite of the 109 degree heat here I just had to get out and at least get some dirt fishin done with the new Ctx. My Idea was that to see the real difference between my old EXP 11 I should go to a place I had really pounded into submission and see if the CTX could get what I had missed with the EXP11. I made an effort to detect the same spots. Getting there real early was nice as it was not hot yet but in those inner city parks the winos are just waking up and usually not in a good mood. When they ask me what I'm doing I just say "looking for evidence' and they leave me alone.
I had read that the audio and the visual readout on the Ctx was different, yes it is , but not so much that it was hard to manage. After about the third coin, and these were all around the 4" deep mark I had no problem with the sound and the numbers were right on. I was pretty much digging everything and was surprised at how clear and definite the hits on the clad was, not an " iffy" signal during the hunt. Quite a few of the 12 dimes ( all clad darn it! ) were on edge or had other metal near. I only hunted for two hours and let the winos have their park back. The days catch was not impressive with silver or some good oldies, but was certainly pleasing in that I could tell that this is definitely a good detector and worth the effort to learn it's language. There is another spot I have been before that I believe has some hidden silver. Here I come and I'm praying for cooler weather!

 

[GKMan]

That's hot, It's funny how we can lose access to a park because someone "doesn't want us digging holes in it" but they let people like you mention loiter there and makes many folks not want to visit the park lest they be bothered by them....

Anyhow, nice little haul there. It is hard to say if there is silver there. Perhaps there was fill brought in and it is buried deeper, have you found older coins there before?

As far as the learning curve coming from another Minelab like the Explorer, sure, they are different machines. But I don't think a previous frairly well experienced E-trac or Explorer user should have any difficulty picking it up and start detecting fairly competently. Of course it take a lot of time to learn the nuances of the CTX but, that is like any other machine.

 

[Diego]

Hi, GKman, yup there is silver there, and I have found some. The park was built in the mid 50's so its kind of on the edge for a lot of silver. I have another that I'm going to hit next built in 1935 and I have found a lot of oldies and silver in it. I have hit this one a lot and have been told by other detectorists it is "cleaned out". Not true, that just means the easy ones are gone. Every time I get a new coil or learn a better setting it gives up more goodies. My best find was a 1913 metal license medallion for a HARLEY DAVIDSON Motorcycle. Can't wait to hit it good with the CTX.
You are right about access I always try to cover the holes well and leave no trace at a park. We are lucky here as the parks people are quite tolerant and will only kick anyone out if they make a mess. Several times I have went to a favorite spot and found large shovel holes uncovered. I found that guy one day and he had his two kids with him. He put away the shovel when he saw me. I did have a talk with him. He couldn't understand why he had been kicked out of the local club! I told him to cover his holes neatly and dont get us kicked out of the park.