First time out with XS

[RonNH]

Got a chance this past weekend to try out my new / used machine. I have hunted with a White's DFX the last 2 years, so I knew about menus and Tone ID. Still, the XS was a different animal. I started hunting in Quickfind because that's what the manual said to do. The first day, I went to a hayfield where I have found many buttons and a cross reale and I thought I hunted that field pretty hard. I managed 3 buttons, most were 8-9 inches deep. Not bad depth, I thought. So I upped the Sens. a little and started digging nails. The tones on the nails were high, but different and I found that when I pinpointed, if that warbled, it was almost always a nail. The next day, I went to a picnic grove I found 5 years ago. I thought it was as clean as a hounds tooth, but I popped out an 1899 Indian and a baked Buffalo. This machine was starting to impress me, so I went to another hay field and scored 6 buttons and the Military button, which I guess is WW I or II. I fooled around with the Sens. again, maxing out at 20 and upped the Gain to 8 . I know these are pretty mild settings, but I wanted to get a feel for the new machine. So where do I go from here and what are some good settings for fields? I have yet to try it at a cellar hole, but hope to this weekend. My first impressions on the XS..... depth was more than I hoped for, even running at 50% power, didn't have to ground balance it, some very cool sounds come from it, it's extremely stable. My only regret is not buying one sooner, then I wouldn't have to go back to my old spots and really clean house. You guys have a great week and stay cool. Ron

 

[Steve(MS)]

Really good finds Ron, sounds like you are doing well with the Exp. I hesitate to give you advice with your settings, if it ain't broke don't fix it. You may want to try higher sens if you are not around power lines . For cellars, you may have to go with a smaller coil, I use the 5" for trashy areas but use your stock coil there too. HH

 

[RonNH]

In fields, I thought I might try to increase the Sens., increase the gain and don't use much or no Iron Mask. In the cellar holes, I probably want to keep the Sens. and Gain at the Coin pre - set and increase the Iron Mask unless anyone has any other tips for these areas. I'm not even thinking about saving discrim. patterns yet. Ron

 

[Steve(MS)]

iron mask from -15 to -13 for cellar hunts and clear the program screen so that it is wide open, that way you can switch between the 2 to check signals, at least that is the way I do it. The less iron mask you use the better but -14 should quiet it down from most of the iron signals you will receive. If you are using ferrous sounds, it is possible to use a clear screen but it will sound like drumming going on all the time, that is in trashy areas. Good luck.

 

[RonNH]

I'll let you know how I make out Steve. I had just about given up on cellars until I found an 1875 Seated Half about 20' from one. That was pre-XS, but I want to hit that one again. Have a great week. Ron

 

[bing! (L.A.)]

but I have a 3 year old site that has some useful info.

usetheminelabexplorerlikeapro.blogspot.com