Going DEEP With The F4

[DrJoeprime]

I've had my F4 for a number of months now and I have a good handle on hunting down to about 6" deep...BUT that seems to be my maximum for coin sized objects. I don't use the All Metal mode because it just doesn't feel right (does anyone use it to coin hunt deep silver?).

I think I know the answer but want to make sure. Anything over about 6" deep will not register as a correct display...for example: a silver dime will not show as 74 but might indicate 05 or 12 or something. Is this correct?

Is my only choice to look for a DEEP signal and then dig?

Could I learn the All Metal mode? I'm so lazy getting my display to tell me what's underground. If I could be 50% positive it's silver (or wheat penny) I would be happy.

Do I NEED to upgrade to the F75?

I'm so pleased with the F4. I can read most signals and have a good idea what's down there. I've pulled out silver coins (3 dimes) and wheats (17) within a 2 month period (since the beach action has cooled off). But these were all under 6" in depth. At the beach I was easily pulling out Silver and Gold rings (well..one small gold ring with the F4 and about 5 silver rings).

Appreciate any help [just PLEASE don't tell me I need a different Fisher], Joe

 

[Keith Southern]

Just kidding most target ids dont id very accurate after 6-7 inches.If you re seeing coins drop down that much maybe you could start checking the depth on those ids and if there 7-8 inches you know that it might be a coin.Ive never run a f-4 so this is just a guess.I know my edge seems to upscale deep targets instead of bringing them down but the id does change after 6-7 inches thats just were technology is at right now.There some machines that id at depth better but there still going to read different than what a 4 inch coin reads.you just have to learn were deep targets you're looking for hit and try to work with it.If i doubt dig . you would'nt believe how many signals my curiosity has me chasing even after 23 years of hunting.Luckily I'm only 38 years old so I'm up to it. Well some days anyway.

theres plenty of old silver in the 4-6 inch range in the ground there just in the trash. I would worry more about my detectors abilities to discriminate and target separation and hunt the more trashy areas for some treasures that are just below the surface.Utilize a small coil its a must!

I believe theres more being masked in trash and iron than has ever been found.I may be wrong but get a sifter and sift a site full on nails and see what is there just a few inches down its amazing.But its also hardwork.

Hope ive helped in some way

Keith Southern

 

[chuck ky]

something i tried with my sovereign was to run at full disc. i was getting mercury dimes that read in the 140-150's instead of 180 but they would still give a signal at full disc.

 

[DrJoeprime]

Keith you said: "you would'nt believe how many signals my curiosity has me chasing even after 23 years of hunting..."

How do those signals turn out? What % are keepers?

Thanks for the response...it HAS helped. Funny thing, I built my first metal detector (Heathkit) about the time you were born, 1970. But my serious detecting really only started this year since about June. Your response has me thinking and it's also exactly what a really successful "silver hunter" in my area told me (he has an Explorer SE and has found 657 SILVER COINS in 2007!).

The parks I'm in he has worked almost exhaustedly...but they are so large I think I can find something..I'm NOT aiming for 100's of silver.

The parks are relatively clean and I mostly get poptop readings and some few iron which I pointedly avoid. Digging poptops in grass is too discouraging. I guess I'm thinking there is a way to ID the signal from tone or quality of the sound? I do dig the "sure" signals which are clad dimes, pre 1982 pennies and clad quarters.

Arrgh.. I'm so frustrated. Joe ... you did make me Smile, Keith, with your title

 

[Keith Southern]

but its worth the effort.You have to remember im hunting for low conductors like military buttons in iron trash so I get used to not relying on target id to much as far as numbers go im more concerned about differentiating non ferrous and ferrous.but I will dig large ferrous too could be a lock plate or butt plate to a musket and such.lots of iron is good iron when relic hunting!I just dont want to dig nails.if I can help it butt I do dig them chasing quirky signals sometimes.

Percentage wise man I dont know after youve beat on a spot for a couple of years off and on everything left is questionable and I guess maybe 30-40 percent are items im after maybe on a good day. Man who knows??

I know hunting a park is different and somthing ive never done but I could imagine you dont wont to waste alot of time digging alot of holes that have to be manicured or you get tossed out.

Im not a coin hunter but I do dig coins out of old house sites deep in the woods just a chimney left or some filed stones for foundation.large cents and seated silver are my favorite.But for the most part they sound real good compared to the low conductor buttons.

If i was in search of coins. old home sites are where its at. get you and old topo map of youre area for about 1880 they have the houses on them there little black dots.then get a modern map and figure were the old roads are compared to the new ones lots of times I travel 2- 3 miles into the woods to find the mid 19 th century houses but when you find the road it will usually be grown up with trees just the banks will remain to tip you off. then with your old map follow the terrain and the house will be there untouched for over 100 years or more and there a treasure trove of interesting things

Ive got dozens and dozens of houses to hunt and dozens and dozens more yet to be found and it seems they all old at least one good piece and always old coins.

any how if you stay in the parks get in the trashier areas you will have more luck I would think.Cant be lazy and succeed in metal detecting. If you dont find a few coins try a different approach maybe some hedges have been moved since last year or they tore down an old grandstand recently the list goes on and on.


Keith Southern

O yeah find you an old swimming hole from the 1940's they were very popular i once walked up on one while searching for civil war campsite it was at the end of a an old road i saw a couple od wooden boats sitting on the ground and thought why the boats in the middle of the woods. well i was standing in the drained lake i found the shore line and dug silver coins all day that day. Humm i might ought to get back down there some time it was fun.

 

[pulltab]

good ideas Kieth